DCJ Paralegal Specialist

The State of Connecticut, Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of all criminal matters in the State of Connecticut. Within the DCJ, the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney (OCSA) is located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and includes various specialized units, including the Appellate Bureau.  This DCJ Paralegal Specialist position is for the Appellate Bureau.

The Appellate Bureau represents the State of Connecticut in the vast majority of appeals challenging criminal convictions. The Bureau employs approximately twenty-five prosecutors who draft motions and briefs and argue primarily before the Connecticut Supreme and Appellate Courts. Appellate Bureau attorneys also track developments and trends throughout the state's courts, and conduct trainings and research for the Chief State's Attorney on criminal justice issues. The Appellate Bureau also has three appellate secretaries in addition to the paralegal specialist position. 

The Appellate Bureau is looking for a Paralegal Specialist to work full time, 40 hours per week. This position will have core hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. We are looking for a dynamic person possessing excellent attention to detail and accuracy skills; strong organizational skills; considerable interpersonal and communication skills; knowledge of computer software, particularly Microsoft Office; familiarity working with databases; the ability to organize and oversee a large case load; the ability to interact professionally with defense attorneys, trial and appellate clerks, judges’ secretaries, court reporters, and personnel from other OCSA units and state agencies; and the ability to draft legal motions and reports. Individuals invited to interview may be required to submit a writing sample. Prior experience working in an office handling appellate matters is preferred.

NOTE:  The incumbent will be required to complete a background check.

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application with their submission.  Individuals invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

All communication with applicants will be through the JobAps system, so applicants are encouraged to check for updates JobAps portal account.  Please ensure that you are utilizing the correct email address for notices to be sent to you from the JobAps system.  Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: DCJ.HR@ct.gov, 860-258-5800.

In the Division of Criminal Justice, this class is accountable for providing advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit. This class provides advanced technical leadership, research and consultation in the areas of case analysis; preparing draft legal documents and draft decisions of highly complex cases; as a resource regarding issues, procedures, process and timeframe as related to cases and presenting legal matters as needed.

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; 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.

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.

Considerable knowledge of legal processes and procedures; considerable knowledge of legal terminology and legal forms; considerable knowledge of legal research techniques; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; considerable skill in fact finding techniques including interviewing clients and compiling evidence; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to evaluate pertinent facts, cases and evidence and compile and assemble such legal data; considerable ability to compose correspondence and draft legal documents; ability to understand complex laws and related reports; ability to utilize computer software.

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 assistant 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 assistant 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 assistant certificate program from a business school approved by the State Department of Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
6. A Law degree from an accredited Law School.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Considerable interpersonal and communication skills;
• Knowledge of computer software, particularly Microsoft Office;
• Familiarity working with databases;
• The ability to organize and oversee a large case load;
• The ability to interact professionally with defense attorneys, trial and appellate clerks, judges’ secretaries, court reporters, and personnel from other OCSA units and state agencies;
• The ability to draft legal motions and reports;
• And prior experience working in an office handling appellate matters. 

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.