Legal Assistant I - III (paralegal) Family Division

Child Protection Unit - New Castle County

Recruitment #030524-MUAF48-150100

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Introduction

Delaware's Attorney General, the State's chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State. In meeting this mission, Attorney General Kathy Jennings is supported by teams of talented lawyers and staff in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Fraud and Consumer Protection, and Civil Rights and Public Trust Divisions. Each of the more than 500 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are dedicated to serving all Delawareans with integrity and passion. Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal special investigators, victim service specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff, prosecute criminal cases, enforce consumer laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public's access to open government, protect the abused, and much more.

Summary Statement

The Delaware Department of Justice seeks a Legal Assistant (Paralegal) to provide support to Deputy Attorneys General in the Family Division, Child Protection Unit in New Castle County.

This Legal Assistant position provides legal paralegal support to Deputy Attorneys General assigned to the Family Division and will report directly to the Child Protection Unit in New Castle County.  The Child Protection Unit represents the Division of Family Services (“DFS”) in their often-complex Dependency, Abuse and Neglect Custody hearings, Termination of Parental Rights hearings, and Child Protection Registry Substantiation hearings before the Family Court.  Duties primarily include drafting legal pleadings, performing legal research, and reviewing discovery, and includes filing various legal documents, requesting reports, collating information, answering discovery, summarizing court orders, filing documents, and additional duties as may be assigned. A successful candidate must be capable of working independently in a high-paced work environment. This work is imperative to protecting Delaware’s children and is extremely fulfilling.  

**The anticipated start date for this vacancy is 6/3/2024** 

Career Ladder

This class series uses three levels of work in the Administrative Services occupational group, Legal Services occupational series and describes legal assistant work involving administrative and judicial proceedings regarding civil, regulatory, and/or criminal law. Work involves providing an agency's management staff or professional legal staff of legal support work and trial preparation.


Salary: 
Pay Grade 10 Salary Range $ 37,265/min $ 46,581/mid $ 55,897/max 
Pay Grade 12 Salary Range $ 42,195/min $ 52,744/mid $ 63,293/max 
Pay Grade 14 Salary Range $ 47,778/min $ 59,723/mid $ 71,668/max 



Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here. 

  • Acts in liaison capacity between superior and various interested parties and judicial and/or court staff, clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, law enforcement agents, elected and/or appointed officials and the public to gather, clarify and provide information regarding case facts and status.
  • Establishes and maintains case files ensuring that the files contain complete and accurate information essential to each step of the proceedings from pre-hearing and/or pre-trial through trial and sentencing.
  • Interviews involved parties such as clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, arresting officers, or medical personnel to gather discovery material, evidence for case preparation and to complete various legal and/or court documents.
  • Reviews various reports as well as other information such as police reports, medical reports, retail, surveillance, computer files/electronic documents, body worn camera and video/audio; summarizes pertinent details of the case for Deputy Attorney Generals; follows up as necessary for additional documents; drafts answers to litigation complaints and responses to form 30 interrogatories; issue subpoenas to obtain medical, insurance, and employment records; serves and prepares discovery; and makes required redactions for discovery and case preparation.
  • Reviews law sources such as case law, judicial decisions, statute law, codes, regulations, and legal and subject matter articles to ensure issues are properly cited and provides superior with written details of similar cases including findings, judicial decisions, and memorandum/opinions of law.
  • Prepares legal pleadings, e.g. briefs, motions, indictments, information and appeals. Provides reports and recommendations for new/revised operating policies/procedures. Reviews state and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance of legal actions/processes. 

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant I
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of 
the following areas:




1. Three years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.

OR

1. Possession of an Associate degree in Paralegal Studies, or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.

OR

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.

OR

1. Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
2. Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
3. Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
4. Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
5. Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.


JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant II
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of 
the following areas:

1. Five years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.

OR

1. Possession of an Associate degree in Paralegal Studies, or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.
2. Two years of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
3. Two years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
4. Two years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
5. Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

OR

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.
2. One year of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
3. One year experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
4. One year experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
5. One year experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. One year experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

OR

1. Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree.

OR

1. Six years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
2. Six years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
3. Six years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
4. Five years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
5. Five years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.


JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant III
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of 
the following areas:

1. Possession of an Associate degree in Paralegal Studies, or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.
2. Five years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
3. Five years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
4. Five years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
5. Five years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. Five years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

OR

1. Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree.
2. Three years’ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.
3. Three years’ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
4. Three years’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
5. Two years’ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.
6. Two years’ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

Additional Posting Information

  • The anticipated start date for this vacancy is 6/3/2024.
  • Please be sure to upload a recent copy of your resume, as you complete the application process for this posting.
  • This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System.  

Conditions of Hire

  • Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. 
  • Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire.
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

• May be eligible Loan forgiveness (State and Federal)
• State of Delaware healthcare plan
• State of Delaware pension plan
• Over 4 weeks of vacation per year
• 3 weeks of paid sick leave per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave


To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.