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Dss Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of New York

ATTORNEY II

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The Department of Social Services' (DSS) Office of Legal Affairs provides legal guidance ... The unit's attorneys review such referrals for legal sufficiency and where the legal standard is ...

City of New York

ATTORNEY II

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Company Description The Department of Social Services' (DSS) Office of Legal Affairs provides legal ... The unit's attorneys review such referrals for legal sufficiency and where the legal standard is ...

City of New York

ATTORNEY INTERNE

Manhattan, NY · On-site

The Attorney Interne will - Provide legal counsel to the Family Independence Administration, the ... other DSS/HRA program areas. - Draft legal opinions in response to requests for legal guidance ...

City of New York

ATTORNEY INTERNE

Manhattan, NY

The Attorney Interne will - Provide legal counsel to the Family Independence Administration, the ... other DSS/HRA program areas. - Draft legal opinions in response to requests for legal guidance ...

City of New York

ATTORNEY INTERNE

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

The Attorney Interne will -Provide legal counsel to the Family Independence Administration, the ... other DSS/HRA program areas. -Draft legal opinions in response to requests for legal guidance ...

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Associate

Rochester, NY · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

With a team of highly skilled and experienced attorneys, we strive to deliver comprehensive and ... Familiarity with New York Medicaid rules, DSS application procedures, and long-term care planning ...

City of New York

ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

DSS also includes administrative and supportive divisions such as the Office of Legal Affairs which ... The Intentional Program Violation and District Attorney Referral Unit provides litigation services ...

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$40.5K

$98.3K

$192K

How much do dss attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for dss attorney in the United States is $98,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a DSS Attorney, and how can they be managed effectively?

DSS Attorneys often navigate heavy caseloads and emotionally charged cases involving child welfare, abuse, or neglect. Balancing the legal complexities with the need to protect vulnerable individuals can be demanding. Effective time management, strong communication with caseworkers and other stakeholders, and ongoing professional development are crucial for success. Building resilience and seeking support from colleagues can also help manage the emotional aspects of the role.

What are DSS Attorneys?

DSS Attorneys, or Department of Social Services Attorneys, are legal professionals who represent state or county social services agencies in legal matters. Their primary responsibilities include handling cases related to child welfare, child support enforcement, adult protective services, and other social services issues. They work to ensure that the agency complies with laws and regulations, represent the agency in court, and provide legal advice to social workers and staff. DSS Attorneys often collaborate with other professionals to protect vulnerable populations and uphold the mission of the social services department.

What is the difference between Dss Attorney vs Legal Assistant?

AspectDss AttorneyLegal Assistant
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, legal licenseAssociate degree or paralegal certification
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, legal departmentsLaw offices, corporate legal teams, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageLegal professionals, law firms, judiciaryLegal support staff, law firms, corporate legal departments

While both Dss Attorneys and Legal Assistants work within the legal industry, Dss Attorneys are licensed legal professionals with law degrees and bar admission, handling legal cases and providing legal advice. Legal Assistants support attorneys with administrative and research tasks but do not hold a law license. They work closely in the same environments but have different responsibilities and credentials.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DSS Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DSS Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and a strong understanding of family law, child welfare, and administrative proceedings. Familiarity with case management systems, legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and court filing procedures is typically required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and empathy are crucial soft skills for advocating effectively and supporting vulnerable clients. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure ethical, efficient representation and positive legal outcomes for children and families in the social services system.
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ATTORNEY II

ATTORNEY II

City of New York

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

City Of New York rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 77 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

483rd of 646 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Social Services' (DSS) Office of Legal Affairs provides legal guidance, litigation support, and direct representation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies to the Department of Social Services and all DSS program areas to ensure the delivery of social services consistent with federal, state and local laws and regulations.
The APS/LPCU provides litigation support and counseling to HRA's Adult Protective Services Program (APS). On behalf of the city's most vulnerable at-risk, impaired adult population, the APS program makes referrals to APS/LPCU for legal review of proceedings for stays of eviction and appointments of Guardians ad litem in the Civil Court, or for Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 guardianship in the Supreme Court. The unit's attorneys review such referrals for legal sufficiency and where the legal standard is met will draft pleadings and adjudicate such proceedings. Failure to provide these legal services to APS could expose HRA to State imposed sanctions for failure to comply with APS statutes and regulations, as well as, placing a frail and vulnerable population at risk.
The Office of General Counsel/ Office of Legal Affairs is requesting to recruit for one (1) Agency Attorney II to function as Attorney II for their Adult Protective Services Litigation and Program Counseling Unit (APS/LPCU), who will:
- Provide legal assistance counsel to APS on a variety of matters, including more sophisticated legal work.
- Draft legal memoranda and guidance on policy questions; Render litigation support in proceedings such as Mental Hygiene Law Article 81 guardianship, and Civil Housing Court matters.
- Work with the Law Department on major class action lawsuits commenced against APS.
- Represent the Commissioner within motions before the courts, hearings, petitions, etc. to pursue or avert further litigation. May recommend statutory and regulatory revisions related to agency issues.
- Negotiate on behalf of the Agency in order to obtain settlements or judgments. May determine the advisability of presenting witnesses, admissibility of types of evidence and matters of legal strategy.
- May assist with the staff training on policy, practices and new procedures. Guides, supervises and/or reviews work of support staff to ensure completeness and compliance with agency policy and professional standards.
- Perform other related tasks.
Hours/Schedule: Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm, with flex time
AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Qualifications

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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