Assistant Attorney General - Child Protection

About the job

The Utah Office of the Attorney General, Child Protection Division, has an immediate opening for an attorney to represent the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) in the Fifth District Juvenile Court in abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings. This position is located in Saint George, Utah. Applicants must be able to manage a high volume of very active cases, moving at a fast pace with much at stake in terms of impact to children and families. Incumbent is also responsible to approve warrants to search for and remove children from parents’ custody; screen cases with Child Protective Services and law enforcement; perform legal research; prepare summonses, petitions, subpoenas, discovery responses, motions, memoranda, orders, and other legal documents; and consult with DCFS representatives. They will represent DCFS at multi-disciplinary-team meetings, family-team meetings, and mediations in addition to other meetings, as necessary. The successful candidate will prosecute abuse, neglect and dependency matters at shelter, pre-trial, adjudication, disposition, review, permanency, and other hearings; and will prosecute petitions to terminate parental rights and appear at associated hearings. Preference will be given to applicants with prosecution or other trial experience. Applicants must possess excellent written and oral advocacy skills and have the experience and ability to immediately take over an existing caseload. Membership in the Utah State Bar in good standing is required . This position will be open until November 8, 2026 and may close without notice. Responsibilities • Prepares cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence. • Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice , and/or facilitates decisions. • Determines discovery needs, and/or completes discovery; participates in decision making and strategy sessions in preparing cases for court and determining evidence to be used. • Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials. • Receives, researches and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution. • Represents the state or the employing agency in lawsuits, grievances, negotiations, complaints and/or other matters. • Drafts working documents; prepares documents consisting of concise decisions based upon facts of case interpretations of law and compliance with state and federal standards. • Conducts conferences with defendants and/or attorneys, negotiates settlements, and prepares witnesses to testify in court. • Represents agency at formal or informal hearings and/or trials. • May be required to travel to various court locations and stay overnight.