Legal Assistant - Child Welfare Unit

Position Summary 

Legal Assistants in the Child Welfare Unit meet with Department of Human Services (“DHS”) social work service managers and Community Umbrella Agencies (“CUA”) case managers to discuss proposed and pending court cases, draft dependent petitions which are filed in the Dependent Branch of Family Court following these interviews, and review DHS case records in order to prepare petitions seeking either Voluntary Or Involuntary Termination Of Parental Rights, or Permanent Legal Custody.  They also prepare related documents and gather necessary information in order to supplement these pleadings.  The legal assistants occasionally expunge DHS case records of confidential information for review by outside parties and appear at Pre-Hearing Conferences at Family Court on behalf of the Law Department. 

Essential Functions 

The functions listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law. 

• Drafting dependent and permanency petitions;  

• Assisting attorneys with the logistics of case management, and document preparation and presentation;  

• Reviewing and expunging DHS and CUA case records of confidential information for review by parents, counsel, and other parties requesting these files; and  

• Attending Pre-Hearing Conferences at Family court on behalf for the Law Department. 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Excellent organizational skills 

• Effective and professional oral and written communication 

• Ability to work independently and think proactively  

• Ability to manage and prioritize numerous assignments 

• Computer skills required/desired for the position include: 

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access) 

Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms) 

Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets, OpenOffice Calc)  

Email (mail merge, filters, folders, rules) 

Presentations/Slideshows (PowerPoint, Google Slides, OpenOffice Impress, Tableu) 

Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other virtual platforms 

• Experience with electronic filing through PACfile 

• Ability to complete work projects in a timely and accurate manner 

• Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion  

• Experience exercising discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information 

Preferred candidate will possess an Associates degree, paralegal certificate or equivalent and have executive assistant experience, preferably in a legal setting.    

Work Location & Onsite Expectations 

This position is designated as fully onsite, and employees are expected to report in person five (5) days per week, in accordance with the City Policy. Regular on-site presence is an operational requirement of this role.  

Who Thrives in This Role 

This position is well-suited for candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, comfortable making real-time decisions, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of professionalism in a fast-paced, in-person environment. 

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

Salary Range: $44,153 to $60,554 - Commensurate with education and experience

Any questions related to this position should be directed to Karen Fortune, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Child Welfare Unit (karen.fortune@phila.gov). 

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx