Government Affairs Representative jobs in Erie, PA

Definition of Class

• This at-will employment managed by the Erie County Court of Common Pleas, serving as the coordinating guardian ad litem responsible for representing the legal interests and best interests of children in dependency and involuntary termination of parental rights proceedings.
• This employment aims to foster a productive relationship while acknowledging your role, responsibilities, and the expectations set forth by the Court of Common Pleas, Erie County.

Nature of Work

• The employment does not restrict your private legal practice as per Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct.
• You shall indemnify and hold the County of Erie and the Court of Common Pleas harmless from any liabilities arising from your representation in these cases and shall maintain adequate professional liability insurance.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Represent the legal interests and best interests of children primarily in agency-initiated petitions, including IVT proceedings initiated by private parties.
• Assign cases to the four guardian ad litems employed with the Court, ensuring each case receives proper representation.
• Ensure compliance with Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, the Juvenile Act, and the Adoption Act.
• Manage and oversee cases, ensuring representation aligns with mandated legal procedures.
• Interact with children, review reports, conduct investigations, interview witnesses, and represent children in hearings.
• Provide recommendations to the court regarding the child's best interests.
• Continue representation until the closure of the dependency case, including appeals, termination of parental rights proceedings, and permanency reviews.
• Accept all assigned cases unless a conflict of interest arises.
• Maintain individual case files for each assignment and adhere to Court notifications of new cases.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a member in good standing of the Bar Association of Pennsylvania Supreme Court
• Must have professional liability coverage and an absence of pending malpractice claims or ethics complaints.

Conditions Of Employment