Job Description

Posting number: MHA 100926 ERG

Department: Gov-Mental Health Advocacy Services

Job classification: ATTORNEY 1

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Mental Health, Attorney

Summary

The Office of Mental Health Advocacy Service has a vacancy.

Our mission is to ensure that our clients’ voices are heard and that they receive every right and remedy afforded to them under the law.

Our goal is to provide high-quality legal counsel and representation to our clients, address systemic issues that affect the rights of more than one client and require a remedy, act as a clearinghouse for information relative to adults and children with mental health diagnoses and children in need of care, and provide training to various individuals/agencies.

This position is responsible for providing legal representation for abused and neglected children and also for children and/or adults with mental disabilities and substance abuse disorders in the New Orleans Region and surrounding area.

Examples of duties

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

Qualifications

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Supplemental information

Job Duties:

• Advises children and mental health patients of their legal rights, the court process, counsel’s role, and available options in a developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive manner, while determining and honoring client preferences.
• Advocates for the expressed wishes of the child throughout the case and, when necessary, determines and advances the child’s best interests.
• Conducts thorough, ongoing investigations and discovery, including review of medical, mental health, social service, educational, law enforcement, and court records, and interviews relevant individuals.
• Provides continuous legal representation by attending and participating in all court hearings, treatment and placement reviews, administrative proceedings, and school conferences relevant to the client.
• Collaborates with hospital staff, service providers, and community partners; advises on patient rights and violations; and delivers training on legal rights and provider responsibilities.
• Oversees IV-E data collection and reporting, ensures timely and accurate documentation of client status changes, supervises and supports staff as assigned, and provides guidance and training to lower-rank attorneys and support personnel.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: This vacancy may be filled by job appointment, which is temporary in nature, not to exceed 48 months. If filled as a job appointment, the position may be converted to a probational appointment, provided a vacant position becomes available, and funding is available.

Career Progression: This vacancy participates in a career progression group and may be filled from this recruitment as an Attorney 1, 2, or 3.

Compensation: The Salary range listed on the job posting reflects the pay grade minimum and maximum for the Attorney 1 job title. The salary range pay grade minimum and maximum for the other levels of the career progression group can be viewed using the links below:

Attorney 2

Attorney 3

This position is full-time. Establishing or continuing an outside practice is prohibited while being employed in this agency. Applicants with experience working with juveniles and persons with mental illness and/or disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Candidate must possess a valid driver's license. Travel is required.

Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities.

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

A criminal history check may be conducted on all new hires as well as employees changing positions, including promotions, demotions, details, reassignments, and transfers.

Also, prospective employees may be subject to pre-employment drug testing. New hires will be subject to employment eligibility verification via the federal government's E-Verify system.

*Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application.

For further information about this posting, please contact:

Erica R. Gay

HR Specialist

Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources

email: Erica.Gay@la.gov