Paralegal / Custodian of Records

Title:

Paralegal / Custodian of Records

Department:

Office of the General Counsel

Reports To:

General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs

Position Type:

Staff

Position Summary:

The Paralegal/Custodian of Records will coordinate NJIT’s efforts to comply with the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), attend to records management, fulfill subpoenas, provide litigation support and responsible for other paralegal duties. This position, under the direct supervision of General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs and the Office of General Counsel (OGC), has diverse responsibilities that are privileged, and/or confidential nature.

Essential Functions:

• Performs the duties of a paralegal when necessary including report preparation, legal research and analysis and other activities related thereto.
• Serves as the University’s Custodian of Records and is responsible for all statutory functions related to that role on behalf of the University.
• Responds to all OPRA’s requests pursuant to New Jersey statute and GRC’s guidelines.
• Determines whether a request is valid under OPRA and if enough information is provided to fulfill the request. Contacts the various departments within NJIT to obtain and review such records. Determines if records or portions thereof fit within any OPRA exemptions.
• Reviews GRC’s online announcements and advisories monthly, and attends GRC’s regular seminars.
• Attends to record management and serves as the primary point of contact within the University for response to Subpoenas and
• Authorizations for the Release of Information served on NJIT, ensuring the collection of documents and records are legally responsive.
• Coordinates and handles the production of documents in response to subpoenas and authorizations for the release of information served upon NJIT, including student matters.
• Any additional responsibilities as required by the General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs and/or OGC attorneys.
  
  

Prerequisite Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, and a Paralegal degree/certificate from an approved American Bar Association program is required.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of paralegal experience, preferably in a university in-house law department environment and/or 2-4 years of experience in law office or court environment is required.
• High degree of independence and confidentiality.
• Experience, skill and knowledge of New Jersey law, federal and state court rules, and New Jersey Open Public Records Act preferred.
• A combination of education and experience differing from, but adjudged by the employer as equivalent or superior to that set out above as prerequisite, will be considered in lieu of these prerequisites.
• At NJIT's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of NJIT, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.
  
  

Bargaining Unit:

Non-Aligned

Range/Band:

12

FLSA:

Exempt

Full-Time