Assistant Paralegal

Job Description

Job Description

Salary :

The Office of the Federal Defender for the Eastern District of California is now accepting applications for a full-time permanent Assistant Paralegal position for its Sacramento Office. The Office of the Federal Defender operates under the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, representing indigent persons in federal criminal cases and related court matters.

Our Assistant Paralegals are integral to our clients legal representation and to our entire offices function. Duties include, but are not limited to : general case preparation; client case file maintenance and organization; participating in case management functions including tracking time spent; coordinating and providing information to client, clients families, experts, and witnesses; calendaring hearings and pleading deadlines; interacting with other court agencies; assisting in court trial and appellate pleading preparation, filing, and court hearings; and ordering documents and other records. Our Assistant Paralegals also backup telephone and reception duties and are responsible for other legal assistant and administrative tasks as needed.

Our ideal candidate can multi-task in a fast-paced environment; prioritize assignments; effectively communicate with co-workers, outside agencies, court personnel, and the public (including clients and client families); has a demonstrated work history of dependability, initiative, and responsibility; is a team player; is familiar with electronic court filing systems; and is interested in indigent criminal defense and compassion for our work and clients. Applicants must possess strong technology skills and be eager to learn and master new software. This position requires Microsoft Word proficiency, with Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat Professional experience preferred. Let us know if you have any non-English speaking and / or writing skills.

Candidates must have at least a high school diploma and three years of general work experience and a 2-year minimum of Legal Assistant or paralegal-type specialized experience. Some post-high school / GED education may be substituted for experience.

Candidates must have good oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. The position requires familiarity with legal terminology, court procedures, and court rules. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. The selected candidate will be subject to a background check as a condition of employment.

This is a full-time position with federal salary based on qualifications and general and specific experience. Starting salary currently yielding from a JS-5 / 1 $44,708 to a JS-9 / 1 $67,741. Federal government benefits apply, including health, life, and long-term care insurances, retirement benefits, thrift savings program, and flexible spending accounts. Direct deposit of pay required.

Position announced on 1 / 08 / 2025 and is open until filled. Applicants will be notified before any communication with listed references.

To apply, please submit as a single Adobe pdf file a cover letter, rsum, three references, a brief writing sample (letter or memo), and a completed Application for Judicial Branch Employment form (AO78), http : / / www.cae-fpd.org / AO_78.pdf, to the following email : cae_hr@fd.org

The Office of the Federal Defender is an equal opportunity employer. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.

Applicants will need to be up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations (per the Centers for Disease Controls definition of up to date, https : / / www.cdc.gov / coronavirus / 2019 -ncov / vaccines / stay-up-to-date.html) by their start date, with proof provided.

Salary : $44,708