STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Paralegal Specialist

Recruitment #210217-6142AR-001

Introduction


State of Connecticut - The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), is recruiting for a Paralegal Specialist.  
This position is responsible for providing a wide range of legal support to different units of the agency.

The State offers great benefits including Health and Dental Insurance and a retirement plan.

DESPP is made up of six divisions, each having its own unique legal needs. Paralegal Specialists are responsible for a range of legal work in support of these divisions and other units of the agency. The primary responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to the following:
  • Responding to freedom of information requests;
  • Testifying in formal administrative hearings;
  • Assisting with contested case preparation; 
  • Assisting with litigation discovery document production; 
  • Serving as clerk to a hearing officer. 
This is a full time, 40 hour per week position. Telework may be available. 

Selection Plan

Please ensure that your application is complete, you will not be able to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.

At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. 

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

Candidates selected for an interview will be required to provide the following at the time of interview
State Employees:
Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
Cover letter
Completed CT-HR-13 

Non State Employees:
Two (2) letters of professional reference from a current and/or previous supervisor
Cover Letter
Completed CT-HR-13
 
Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Also considered in this selection process: Any pending or disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records.
Failure to provide the required documents listed above or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process. The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS Website by typing in “CT-HR-13” into the “Search Department of Administrative Services” search field.”

Questions pertaining to this recruitment may be directed to Uma Arun at uma.arun@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency, 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 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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working in a professional environment;
  • Experience working on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) CT Law;
  • Experience multi-tasking assignments and prioritizing work; 
  • Experience preparing for administrative hearings;
  • Experience testifying under oath;
  • Experience in legal research and documentation;
  • Experience managing backlogs;
  • Experience redacting video and audio communication.

Conclusion

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.