Position Announcement:
“Director, Children’s Law Center”
School of Law
University of South Carolina
The USC School of Law is seeking a Director of the Children’s Law Center, a specialized training, teaching, research, policy development, and resource center for children’s issues.
The Children’s Law Center, a program of the USC School of Law, is a dynamic leader in the enhancement of justice and promotion of positive outcomes for children. Current initiatives include:
- training child-serving professionals for skilled excellence in child advocacy and protection. The Center develops and conducts extensive training programs for attorneys and legal staff, law enforcement, guardians ad litem, child welfare and juvenile justice professionals; prepares and publishes written resource materials; offers technical assistance to practitioners; and provides adjunct course instruction within the School of Law.
- promoting the development of informed, sound public policy and laws regarding children, including child protection and juvenile justice. The Center conducts research and provides staff support for key groups, including the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children, the Children’s Justice Act Task Force, the Status Offender Task Force, and the Family Court Bench-Bar Committee.
- providing project services, data analysis, policy and legal research, and consultation to child-serving agencies and organizations.
The Center has an annual budget of over $5,000,000 funded primarily through federal and state grants and contracts. Its staff of 50 includes attorneys, social workers, former law enforcement officers, case workers, and other professionals.
The Director is responsible for the leadership and oversight of all aspects of the Center, including program development, personnel management, and development and maintenance of relationships with external partners and with funding sources. The Director works with legislative leaders to provide staffing and support for the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children. The Director is an ex-officio member of various committees. The Director will work with the faculty of the School of Law to enhance the role of the Center as a University-affiliated entity.
Qualifications include a law degree (membership in the South Carolina Bar is preferred); 5 or more years of experience in children’s law; a minimum of 3 years’ experience in administration, fiscal, and personnel management; and strong oral and written communication skills. The successful candidate will have in-depth knowledge of legal and policy issues involving children, including child welfare and juvenile justice; the ability to establish effective working relationships with USC faculty, State agency directors, judges, and legislators; and a demonstrated history of creative leadership and commitment to diversity. Familiarity with scholarly research is preferred. The Director reports directly to the Dean of the School of Law.
Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, with an anticipated minimum of $120,000. The position offers State benefits including retirement, health insurance, and annual and sick leave.
Applications must be submitted through the University’s online system. Applicants may access USC Jobs Online at http://uscjobs.sc.edu and complete an application for Requisition # 009583. In addition to the online application, please attach a cover letter, resume or CV, and a statement of interest in the position. The University of South Carolina is an EO institution. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
For More Information, contact Robert M. Wilcox, Dean, at wilcoxrm@law.sc.edu.
