Paralegal

**Please note: this position is on-site in Sumter, SC.

SUMMARY:

Works under the general supervision of the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) primarily responsible for supporting SAFE Federal Credit Union (the “Credit Union”) legal function and activities. This position will assist the CRO in the implementation and maintenance of legal risk management programs and policies; provide guidance and advice to various business units on legal matters, including corporate governance, and contractual obligations; assist in managing relationships with external legal counsel, and regulatory agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Performs essential duties and responsibilities in the following areas, which may include but are not limited to the areas listed below. These responsibilities are subject to change.

Legal Research and Documentation:

• Performs legal research and analysis on various legal issues and regulatory matters.

• Draft, review, and revise contracts using track changes and the compare function in MS Word.

• Manage and maintain contract databases and legal files.

• Prepare legal correspondence, including but not limited to summons, subpoenas, depositions notices, judgments, claim and delivery etc.

• Assist in securing recoveries of all types related to crimes or harm committed against SAFE FCU to include Judgements (magistrate and Civil), restitutions, worthless check unit, executions, and other remedies as warranted. 

• Handle special projects as assigned by the CRO.

Legal Counsel and Strategy:

• Assist the CRO in providing counsel, guidance, and strategy regarding legal and regulatory matters or issues involving the credit union. 

• Receiving legal certified mail on behalf of any officer of the SAFE FCU

• This includes providing legal services to the Credit Union and managing and monitoring the quality and efficiency of outsourcing to external law firms and attorneys.

• Keep and tracking key department metrics 

Compliance and Corporate Governance:

• Assist the CRO to ensure that the policies, procedures, and forms of the credit union comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and credit union policy.

• Assist the CRO in the oversight of the methodology and processes of the legal program including foreclosures, bankruptcy filings and responses to subpoenas, garnishments and demands for information.

• Attend court hearings and session on behalf of the CRO 

• Provide legal guidance to staff on operational matters including but not limited to employment law matters, power of attorney, and deceased member accounts.

• Remain informed of legal and regulatory changes and developments affecting the credit union industry and financial services.

Board of Directors and Governance:

• Assist the CRO in the oversight of the nomination and election process for the Board of Directors, and annual meeting.

• Manages governance matters, ensuring compliance with governance policies and procedures. 

• Maintain an inventory of legal matters and provide related updates to Board of Directors and management team

Other Duties:

• Adhere to all SAFE FCU policies and procedures, which include security compliance and following guidelines intended to limit risk exposure losses.

• Participates in department and/or organizational projects as directed.

• Performs other tasks or functions as required, requested, necessary or prudent from time to time.

• Maintains confidentiality of all member and credit union information and data.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No requirement.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

Display excellent written and verbal communication skills when interacting with all personnel, members, auditors, and examiners. Maintain professional composure, objectivity and fairness when dealing with conflicts and sensitive matters. Display attention to detail, ability to multi-task and meet established deadlines. Exhibit sound judgment, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Maintain collaborative relationships with all departments. Demonstrate professional care and the highest standards of professional competency. Support a strong sense of teamwork and commitment to mentoring and serving others. Full time hours required, with additional hours, as necessary.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be outgoing, enthusiastic, conscientious, group oriented, open to change and be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regulatory Requirements:  Your position has specific procedures that must be followed to comply with Privacy Act, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and Bank Secrecy/Patriot Act. You will receive annual training to keep you current on any changes to these policies/procedures to assure compliance. Failure to comply with procedures may cause termination of your position as well as possible monetary penalties from the federal regulatory agency.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be bondable and able to perform each essential duty with a high degree of competence. 

• An associate degree is required and/or 5 to 7 years of legal related experience in a financial institution, government agency, or law firm. 

• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing credit union operations, and experience in financial institution is preferred but not required. 

• Paralegal certifications and designations are preferred. Excellent analytical and data-gathering skills. 

• Experience with probate, estate accounts, creditor's rights, levies, garnishments, or other collections matters are preferred.

• Must be well-organized and detail-oriented with the ability to handle multiple concurrent tasks and projects.  

• Must have ability to read, analyze, and interpret laws, regulations, and procedure manuals. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills along with strong oral and written communication skills are also required.  

• Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe required.  

• Uses a high level of initiative and discretion in prioritizing work and performing duties that are complex and confidential in nature (including but not limited to, proprietary and privileged documents, member non-public personal information, and employee information). 

• The Paralegal will effectively manage competing priorities and will work comfortably with all levels of internal clients and outside legal professionals.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and communicate regulatory information and technical procedures relating to credit union operations. Ability to write correspondence, process and procedural manuals.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of regulatory and technical instructions in several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

None required.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to operate a personal computer using spreadsheet, word-processing and database software. Familiarity with credit union system terminology and acronyms would be helpful. Demonstrated knowledge of legal concepts and methodologies and their application in a financial environment.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Work, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) is required. Annually complete and achieve passing scores on various SAFE FCU Policy, Procedure, Development and Enhancement Curriculum.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to thirty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

The mental characteristics necessary to competently perform this job include the need to occasionally use complex numeric calculations, persuasiveness, and auditory perception, and to frequently be alert, resourceful, creative, and patient.