Division of Legal and Governmental Affairs
Recruitment #200108-6142AR-001
Location |
Hartford, CT
|
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Date Opened | 1/10/2020 10:00:00 AM |
Salary | $65,428 - $84,671/year |
Job Type | Open to the Public |
Close Date | 1/21/2020 11:59:00 PM |
The Connecticut State Department of Education, Division of Legal and Governmental Affairs, is recruiting for a full-time Paralegal Specialist position. The position is located at the State of Connecticut office building at 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford. This is a 40-hour position that operates Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Division of Legal and Governmental Affairs is responsible for providing a wide range of legal support and guidance to the agency. The Paralegal Specialist shall provide support in a wide range of areas, including but not limited to the following activities and other duties as assigned: assist with contract review; coordinate and collect responses to Freedom of Information requests; assist attorneys in monitoring collective bargaining activities pursuant to the Teacher Negotiations Act; coordinate residency and transportation hearings under Section 10-186; conduct basic legal research and analysis of legal sources; proofreading and correcting administrative pleadings, briefs, and other documents; answering telephone inquiries from the public and referring calls to designated recipients; assist with the discovery process and subpoena responses; assist in gathering evidence and documents and general case preparation for court cases and administrative hearings such as hearings before the CHRO, FOIC, and State Board of Education matters; update and maintain case records, pleadings, policy manuals, and filing systems; act as a liaison between the DLGA attorneys, courts, attorney’s offices and the general public; assist in the preparation of legal and administrative reports; and assist in the drafting and review of proposed legislation.
Performs highly complex paralegal duties as defined in one or both of the following areas:
LEGAL OFFICE OPERATIONS: Interprets complex state statutes and federal regulations governing legal records and documents; determines and applies applicable state statute and/or regulation in preparing documentation; interprets court rules and agency policies and regulations; keeps abreast of the latest court rules, calendar changes and pending legislation; monitors and adheres to court deadlines; reviews legal documents and prepares legal documents such as briefs, writs and pleadings for court filings; responds to relevant case information requests from courts; performs legal research and analysis of law sources such as statutes, legal articles, legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material; prepares draft legal documents; provides assistance in the discovery process; provides paralegal assistance by interpreting applicable legal provisions, regulations, precedents and policies; responds to requests and obtains information of sensitive nature; acts as liaison between agency, court system, relevant attorney’s offices and general public; serves as agency liaison regarding relevant policies and procedures; prepares legal and administrative reports; updates and maintains case records, pleadings, policy manuals and filing systems; assists in the drafting of proposed legislation and advisory opinions; provides training and assistance to staff; may perform business mathematical computations; performs related duties as required.
CASE PRESENTATION OR HEARING: Analyzes highly complex cases; develops positions and strategies to settle or litigate cases at formal or informal hearings; prepares for and represents State’s interest at hearings or through case presentation; researches and gathers relevant evidence and documentation; interviews witnesses and clients; drafts legal documents, complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters and proposed findings and awards reviews substantiation appeals and provides recommendation to management regarding the legal sufficiency of substantiation findings; performs related duties as required.
The General Experience is defined as one of the following:
1. A Bachelor’s degree in legal studies and one (1) year of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
2. An Associate’s degree in legal studies and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
3. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program approved by the American Bar Association and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
4. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program consisting of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
5. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program from a business school approved by the State of Connecticut, Office of Higher Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
6. A Law degree from an accredited Law School.
Preference will be given to applicants with experience in the following:
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.