Salary : $4,694.00 - $9,211.00 Monthly
Location : Lafayette, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number:
Department: DCFS-Department of Children and Family Services
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/1/2026 11:59 PM Central

Join Our Team at DCFS: Attorney 1-3 (Lafayette Parish)

This administrative position serves as a legal counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)/Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)/Child Welfare Services (CWS) within one of nine regions throughout the State of Louisiana, specializing in the area of juvenile and family law, social services law and programs.
If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, this could be the opportunity for you!
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

Job Specification

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

Job Duties:

• Involved in all aspects of litigation for the assigned regional and parish offices.
• Incumbent is frequently before tribunals at the state level (juvenile, civil, criminal, appellate courts in multi-parishes and the State Supreme Court), federal level, and administrative tribunals.
• Assists other legal sections with the preparation and litigation, of numerous trials, appeals and other matters assigned that are located within the assigned regional area.
• Serves as counsel or assists in the defense of the agency or its employees in suits seeking money damages or contempt orders against DCFS, agency officials, and personnel.
• Handles administrative and judicial proceedings for child protection, foster care, family services, Family in Need of Services cases, adoption services and home development and other social services programs.
• Assists DCFS staff with child safety and welfare laws, including investigations of caretakers, day care centers, and family child day care homes.
• Responsible for providing consultation, recommendations, and representation to the regional administrator and other DCFS staff within assigned regions.
• Recommends and participates in efforts to update and revise provisions in state and federal law in the areas of child welfare.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment. This position may be filled as a probational appointment or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. Job appointments may convert to probational appointments. Also, it may be filled as a detail and promoted within 12 months or by promotion of a permanent classified employee.

Work Schedule: Typically, work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Flexible work schedules are available after meeting certain criteria and is dependent upon the position you are applying for. Some positions require working shifts.
Work Location: Lafayette Parish
Career Progression: May be filled as an Attorney 1-3 depending on qualifications.

Compensation: Special Entrance Rates have been established for Attorney job titles.

• Attorney 1 $30.33 hourly (AS-619)
• Attorney 2 $32.45 hourly (AS-620)
• Attorney 3 $36.51 hourly (AS-622)

Louisiana HB 420 requires all prospective DCFS employees to complete and clear multiple background clearances prior to employment with this agency.

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 this 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.
Contact Information:

Tra'lecia Holmes
Department of Children and Family Services
Tra'[email protected]
01

Do you have any immediate family members or relatives who are currently employed with DCFS? Immediate family member is defined as children (blood, step, adopted), spouse, brother, sister, father, mother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law. Relative includes immediate family members previously defined and also includes grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew.

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the name of your immediate family member and/or relatives currently employed by DCFS. If you answered "no" to the above question, enter N/A.
03

Do you possess a current, valid Louisiana license to practice law?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered yes to the question above, please list your Bar Roll Number and the original issuance date of your license (mm/yy). If you answered no to the question above, please type "N/A".NOTE: Failure to list the requested information may result in your application being considered incomplete.
Required Question