PARALEGAL II

ASTD12

SOMERSET COUNTY DEPARTMET OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The main purpose of the job is to perform legal administrative support and paralegal duties for the Somerset County Department of Social Services, and more specifically for the Agency Attorney appointed to represent the Somerset County Department of Social Services (“SCDSS”) in Child in Need of Assistance (“CINA”) and Termination of Parental Rights (“TPR”) proceedings, as well as in Adult Protective Services and Adult Guardianship matters, and related responsibilities. This will include but not be limited to preparing initial drafts of various petitions, proposed orders and other legal papers relevant to the proceedings, serving as a liaison between the Attorneys and other participants in the proceedings, maintaining the CINA and other calendars, and coordinating with others to ensure proper distribution and/or publication of petitions, notices, and other legal documents. The employee will exercise certain independent responsibility, analyze information, and make recommendations to the Attorney; undertake case organization and file management; maintain and update reference materials; create and maintain database of information through investigation and/or discovery, perform legal research; and assist the Attorney with legal assignments, thereby enabling the Attorney to provide advice and legal counsel to SCDSS. 

• Litigation Support and Case Organization: Assist Attorney in drafting correspondence, petitions and other pleadings, recommendations to the juvenile court, proposed court orders, affidavits, subpoenas, and other legal documents for use by the Attorney in matters pending in the Circuit Court. 
• Liaison with the Court, Counsel, and Others: Communicate with courts and/or administrative personnel, opposing counsel, and other parties to ascertain the status of cases and schedule meetings and proceedings; recommend actions to be taken when detecting discrepancies in information being used during litigation. 
• Administrative Support: File and distribute SCDSS court reports to the court and parties. 
• Delivery and Filing of Pleadings: Deliver and file legal pleadings and exhibits with the clerk’s office and opposing counsel in a timely manner. 
• Deliver subpoenas to witnesses and parties involved in pending legal matters.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

 Experience: Three years of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary performing legal research or preparing legal documents on behalf of an attorney.

 Notes: 1. Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.

 2. Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school may be substituted for the required experience.

 3. Additional years of experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in paralegal specialist classifications or paralegal specialist specialty codes in the legal and kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

One year of experience filing pleadings electronically.

One year of experience using a scanning system to digitize court files.

One year of experience redacting files.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. If you are in State service and are a promotional candidate, your salary will be determined in accordance with the State of Maryland Guidelines.

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position.  You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 25 S. Charles Street, Suite 1100, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

Or email latoura.jones@maryland.gov: Voice 410-767-8844, toll-free: 1-800-332-6347. 

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Do not submit unsolicited documentation.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. 

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply.