Salary: $81,192.00 - $110,000.00 Annually
Location : Lexington County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 192908
Agency: Department of Public Health
Division: Office of General Counsel
Opening Date: 09/17/2026
Closing Date: 10/8/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: AE30
Position Number::
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN12
Hiring Range - Min.: $81,192.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $110,000.00

Job Responsibilities
Careers at DPH: Work that makes a difference!

Embracing Service, Inspiring Innovation, Promoting Teamwork, Pursuing Excellence, and Advancing Equity
At the newly established South Carolina Department of Public Health ("DPH"), you will do meaningful work contributing to our mission to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of everyone in South Carolina.
The applicant chosen to fill this position will join a dedicated team of public health attorneys that will have the unique opportunity to advise the state's first stand-alone public health agency in 50 years. Consider joining the DPH Office of General Counsel ("OGC"), where you will work in a collaborative and supportive environment where people come first, and we encourage a healthy work-life balance.

This position offers great state benefits, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more, depending on applicable state service, as well as the option of an Alternate Work Schedule ("AWS") with every other Friday off following one full year of employment.

WHO WE ARE:The Office of General Counsel ("OGC") is the legal team for the South Carolina Department of Public Health, providing representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible state issues. DPH seeks an experienced attorney to join its Administration Team. OGC's Administration Team attorneys are the agency's primary legal advisors on the essential administrative services that keep the agency going and make it possible for DPH to accomplish its mission - business management, finance, human resources, information technology and security, compliance, and communications.

As the legal advisor to DPH's administration functions, you will:• Work under the supervision of the agency's Chief Counsel for Administration;
• Guide DPH through the labyrinth of federal and state laws governing public contracts and grants;
• Review and provide legal advice on a variety of contractual agreements;
• Advise staff on complex procurements and represent the agency in procurement disputes; and
• Assist in development of procedures and systems to improve agency contract efficiency and compliance.

You will also:• Work with the Human Resources office on employment issues;
• Advise DPH's Information Technology office;
• Coordinate DPH responses to bankruptcy filings;
• Weigh complicated questions concerning employee ethics; and
• Advise the Freedom of Information Office and Compliance Office on privacy and confidentiality.

You will master the laws and policies governing how DPH operates and grasp their everyday consequences. You will face novel and challenging issues every day. We will give you the Continuing Legal Education and other training you need to develop into a trusted advisor to the agency's top executive leadership and staff at every level, and you will pass on that training to others.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements: A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and experience as a practicing attorney.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Agency Additional Requirements:• Have at least five (5) years' experience as a practicing attorney (which may include judicial clerkships);
• Possess a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school;
• Be a member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar;
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license; and
• Have completed trial experiences as required by Rule 403, South Carolina Appellate Court Rules.

TRANSCRIPT(S): Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript(s) as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript(s) or diploma prior to hiring.
RESUME AND WRITING SAMPLE: You must provide a resume and legal writing sample with your application. Please do not submit any confidential information and redact if necessary.

Preferred Qualifications
The successful candidate must:• Be trustworthy, self-motivated, and reliable;
• Possess a strong work ethic and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
• Possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Possess the ability to work well with other lawyers and program staff in a team environment;
• Possess a commitment to professionalism, ethics and public service;
• Possess excellent legal research and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues in simple, direct, and easily understandable terms to non-lawyers, lawyers, hearing officers and judges;
• Demonstrate strong legal writing skills (A legal writing sample must be submitted with your application); and
• Possess strong public-speaking skills.

The following qualifications are preferred, but not required:• Knowledge of and experience with contracts, the state Procurement Code, and federal grants;
• Knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security rules;
• Understanding of employment law from the public sector perspective;
• Knowledge of state employee ethics laws and rules
• Understanding of the SC Freedom of Information Act and Administrative Procedures Act;
• Basic knowledge of bankruptcy law and procedure;
• Understanding of laws and principles governing privacy and confidentiality;
• Knowledge of and experience in litigation and civil procedure;
• Knowledge of basic office software including Microsoft Office/Word, Microsoft Office 365, and Adobe Pro; and
• A level head, good judgment and common sense.
Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click for additional information.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan
  • State Optional Retirement Program

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

This position is eligible for AWS, with every other Friday off after 12 months of employment. Telecommuting/hybrid is not an option for this position.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Employment Authorization and Visa Sponsorship Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of their employment. This agency does not sponsor employment-based visas, including but not limited to H-1B visas, nor does it provide sponsorship for permanent residency or other employment-based immigration benefits now or in the future. Individuals who are authorized to work in the United States under Optional Practical Training (OPT) through a valid F-1 student visa may apply, provided they possess current employment authorization and do not require employer sponsorship to continue working in the United States at any point during employment. All offers of employment are contingent upon verification of identity and eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with federal law. This agency complies with all applicable federal employment eligibility verification requirements. By submitting this application, I certify that I am legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require employer sponsorship for a work visa now or at any time during employment.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school, and are you admitted and authorized to practice law in South Carolina and an active member in good standing with the SC Bar?

• Yes
• No

03

Have you completed trial experiences as required by Rule 403, South Carolina Appellate Court Rules?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have at least five (5) years' experience as a practicing attorney?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you attached a résumé and a legal writing sample to your application? (You will not be considered for this position unless a résumé and a legal writing sample are attached.)

• Yes
• No

06

Have you ever been disbarred or suspended from the practice of law?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered "yes" to Question 6, please explain.
08

Are you now or have you ever been the subject of any disciplinary proceeding related to the practice of law?

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered "yes" to Question 8, please explain.
10

Are you willing to accept an offer within the agency hiring range $81,192 - $110,000?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you currently working for or have ever worked for South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) or South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH)?

• Yes
• No

12

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. The application an