Public Interest Attorney Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $59,165.00 - $68,610.00 Annually
Location : County Attorney, NC
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 121-2026-1263
Department: County Attorney
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
General Description
Orange County has an opening for a part-time Staff Attorney.
This is a distinct classification that requires a license to practice law in North Carolina. An employee in this classification provides legal advice and representation to the County and its departments, offices, elected officials, boards, commissions and agencies on litigation and business matters. Responsibilities include a broad range of administrative, contractual and litigation support services in support of County government operations in the areas including, but not limited to, legal research, review and response to public records requests, investigations, and public contracting. Assigned areas may require experience in child support, land use and zoning, emergency management, information technology, and/or personnel/labor.
Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Attorney with considerable leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the performance of duties. This position does not supervise. Does related work as required. The County Attorney's office consists of four full-time positions and one part-time position. The part-time position works a minimum of 20 hours per week.
* Background Check required.
Examples of Essential Functions
Examples of Essential Functions
Following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.
Ensures County compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; researches relevant case law, statutes and regulations pertinent to administrative and operational functions including open government law, conflicts of interest, torts, contracts, employment, constitutional, and/or election laws.
Prepares interpretations and advises County departments, County management, elected officials and/or advisory boards and commissions on legal issues. Areas may include child support, land use and zoning, emergency management, information technology, personnel/labor, and any other area of county government operations.
Exercises independent judgment in the evaluation of legal theories and the application to specific fact situations in a given case.
Drafts accurate and timely legal documents including, but not limited to appeals, affidavits, motions, proposed orders, petitions and other supporting legal documents.
Provides verbal and/or written responses to inquiries by federal, state and local officials regarding agency policies, practices and issues.
Recommends actions necessary to correct deviations or violations; receives and responds to difficult and sensitive department or community concerns and complaints.
Participates in court ordered mediations; reviews the progress of and assists outside counsel.
Defends the County in all judicial, administrative, and legislative proceedings, as necessary, for the protection or enforcement of the rights of the County government, employees, and elected officials, drafts briefs and motions, assists with case preparation, engages in oral arguments and assists with case trials.
Researches and reviews public records requests for compliance and responsiveness.
Drafts, reviews, revises, and interprets contracts, county policies, interlocal agreements, grant agreements, memoranda of understanding and legally binding agreements.
Assists the County Attorney with drafting resolutions, ordinances, and agenda items as requested; may be assigned to provide legal advice at public meetings of the Board of County Commissioners, or advisory boards and commissions.
Adheres to Orange County's safety rules and regulations.
Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
Performs other tasks, including some administrative tasks, as needed.
Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
FULL PERFORMANCE OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal statutes and legal principles, precedents and practices, and their application to assigned functions.
Thorough knowledge of County organization, departments and functions, and policies and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
Thorough knowledge of open meeting and public records laws.
Demonstrated experience in providing legal guidance regarding the development of policies, manuals, documents and/or standard operating procedures.
Demonstrated experience in advising clients on compliance with Federal regulations and laws.
Demonstrated experience in reviewing contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
Skill in collaborative conflict resolution, negotiation and meeting facilitation.
Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
Skill in performing legal research and investigations.
Skill at prioritizing work activities and multi-tasking while under pressure.
Skill in gathering and analyzing complex information.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, resourcefulness, accuracy, thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position, while maintaining an ethical standard of care.
Ability to analyze the legal aspects of governmental problems and to provide sound advice and assistance to officials.
Ability to research and analyze facts, evidence and legal instruments and to present facts, law and arguments clearly, logically and persuasively in oral or written form.
Ability to read, interpret and apply constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, court decisions and other precedents.
Ability to draft complex legal documents and correspondence.
Ability to organize, consolidate and evaluate information, maintain records, prepare reports, and complete assignments accurately and timely; ability to prioritize and respond to demands in a prompt and effective manner.
Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with County management and staff, elected officials, stakeholders and the general public.
Ability to work collaboratively and with minimal administrative support.
Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited college or university and an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree or equivalent AND three (3) years of experience in the practice of law with proven experience with litigation, mediation, and related trial court experience or an equivalent level of experience.
All attorney positions serve as an attorney representative in child support enforcement cases and must have experience in child support legal services, or similar litigation experience such as an assistant district attorney, or other similar trial court experience AND attorney positions are required to work in various other areas of local government law with assigned departments.
Applicants must be licensed by the North Carolina State Bar.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain membership in the North Carolina State Bar.
Possession of a valid driver's license in the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle operated is required.
All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a background check and pre-employment drug testing. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.
Supplemental Information
Ability to physically perform (with or without reasonable accommodation) basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions of the hands/wrists.
Ability to perform light work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to move objects.
Possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform accounting and extensive reading, and perform work on a computer.
Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:

• Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;
  • Orange County contributes 15.10% of your base salary per pay period and 17.10% for LEO.
• Health Insurance (Medical)
  • Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.
  • Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.
• Dental Insurance
  • Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.
  • Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.
• Vision Insurance
  • Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.
• Life Insurance
  • Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees' salary up to $50,000.
  • Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.
• Short Term Disability
  • Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.
• Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy
• Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance
• 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
  • Orange County contributes $104 per pay period ($2704.00 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)
• Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)
  • 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year
  • 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year
  • 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year
  • 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year
  • 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year
  • 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year
• Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule)
  • 96.2 hours/year
• Tuition reimbursement assistance
• Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.

01
Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.

• Yes
• No

02
I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?

• Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
• No, I am not an Employee

04
Do you have, or are able to obtain a valid North Carolina Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

05
Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a Juris Doctor degree?

• Yes
• No

06
If no, please indicate your degree.
07
Do you currently possess a valid North Carolina State Bar License?

• Yes
• No

08
If yes, please provide your bar license number.
09
Do you have three or more years of experience in the practice of law with proven experience with litigation, mediation, and related trial court experience?

• Yes
• No

10
Do you have experience in child support legal services, or similar litigation experience as an assistant district attorney, or other similar trial court experience?

• Yes
• No

11
Please briefly describe your experience in child support legal services, or similar litigation experience as an assistant district attorney, or other similar trial court experience. If no experience, please put N/A.
Required Question