The Mental Health Advocacy Service has a vacancy. This job title has an assigned pay grade of AS-624.This position is responsible for Supervision of attorneys who represent child welfare clients; supervision of support staff, students, and others, as needed. Management of case load distribution. Coordination with other professionals; implementation of agency policies; training of staff and others as needed. Handles own caseload and represents the agency and the interests of our clients on boards, committees, and with various policy advocacy organizations. A valid driver's license is required for this position as travel is necessary. As well as a valid bar licenses is required.Our mission is to ensure that our clients’ voices are heard and that they receive every right and remedy afforded them under 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.Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law plus four years of experience as a practicing attorney.The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found
here.
Job Duties:CASEWORK AND LITIGATION- Fulfills duties of loyalty, confidentiality, advocacy and competent representation to clients.
- Continuously conducts study of applicable law and judicial decisions.
- Obtains copies of all pleadings and notices. Participates in discovery, negotiations, conferences and hearings. Informs other parties and counsel of the attorney's representation.
- Advises clients about their rights; Identifies and seeks to obtain appropriate resources for clients; counsels clients refusing medication and provides representation in administrative review proceedings and in judicial commitment proceedings.
- Engages in communication with clients, including, but not limited to, face-to-face meetings.
- Attempts to reduce delays in Child In Need of Care (CINC) proceedings, and advocates for timely permanence for the child.
- Advises the child about the case, the child's rights, the court system, the proceedings, counsel's role, expectations of the legal process, the risks and benefits of possible courses of action, and other relief; determines the client's desires and preferences in a developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive manner.
- Advocates for the desires and expressed preference of the child and follows the child's direction throughout the case in a developmentally appropriate manner. To the extent that a child does not or will not express is/her desires and preferences about particular issues, determines and advocates for the child's best interest.
- Engages in regular and meaningful communication with the child, including but limited to face to face meetings with the child at the child's placement and/or other locations outside of the courthouse.
- Travels by personal vehicle to court, to meet with clients, to staff meetings and to other required locations. Submits timely requests for travel reimbursement.
- Conducts thorough, continuing and independent investigations and discovery, including but not limited to: Reviewing social service, psychiatric, psychological, drug and alcohol, medical, law enforcement, school, court, DSS, provider and other records of the child. Contacts lawyers for other parties, Court Appointed Special
- Advocates for the child placed with parents, guardians and/or caretakers of the child (with the permission of their attorneys).
- Interviews individuals involved with the child; reviews relevant evidence; and attends treatment, placement and administrative hearings; other proceedings involving legal issues; and school conferences or staffing as needed.
- Attends treatment, placement, administrative hearings, and school conferences or staffing as needed.
- Files petitions, motions, answers, responses or objections as necessary.
- Attends and participates in all hearings and conferences with the court relevant to the child. Participates in mediation and settlement negotiations.
- Presents evidence, direct and cross-examines witnesses, offers exhibits, and provides independent evidence as necessary. Decides whether to call the client as a witness and ensures that the client is prepared to testify.
- Attempts to ensure client's presence at significant court hearings, except when counsel affirmatively waives the client's presence.
- Seeks to ensure continued representation of the child at all child-related conferences and hearings.
- Discuss the end of legal representation with the child and determines what contacts, if any, will continue between the child and his/her counsel.
- Provides mental patients with legal representation at all stages of their confinement.
- Prepares and files petitions for probable cause, revocation of conditional discharge and writs of habeas corpus on an individual case by case basis.
- Identifies and addresses violation of patient rights. Will advise and confer with hospital staff on patient rights and violation of these rights.
SUPERVISION AND GUIDANCE- Provides guidance, assistance, supervision and lead worker responsibilities to attorneys of lower rank as directed.
PLANNING, COORDINATION, ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES, SYSTEMS ADVOCACY- Plans, organizes, coordinates and controls the work of this section of the agency as directed. Submits monthly reports on time.
- Coordinates legal representation of clients with other MHAS offices.
- Attends regular staff meetings and staff annual planning retreat.
- Accomplishes objectives on individual "Management by Objective." Develops strategy for implementation of systems improvements in the protection of patient rights and the rights of children.
- Effectuates systemic changes.
TRAINING- Trains other staff members, various mental health professionals and various groups in the community on the legal rights of patients and responsibilities of treatment providers.
LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT REQUIREMENTS- Complies with Supreme Court of Louisiana requirements to practice law in Louisiana, including, but not limited to, continuing education requirements. Keeps in good standing concerning professional ethical requirements. Complies with the Louisiana Supreme Court's Special Rules for Cases Involving the Protection of Children.
Position-Specific Details:Appointment Type: This vacancy will be filled by promotion of a current permanent status State of Louisiana employee. A permanent status employee may be required to serve a new probationary period in lieu of promotion.
Preference will be given to current employees of MHAS.
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.
*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 the completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
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.
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. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.
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
