Supervising Paralegal

Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) maintains a reputation as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in the delivery of indigent criminal defense. We operate as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees assigned to twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We do so by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate.

We seek to hire professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to our clients. We are a fast paced, team-oriented environment, where self-motivation and a personal commitment to high performance are important attributes for success.

How to Apply:

Please e-mail your résumé and cover letter outlining your interest in this position and how you meet the qualifications to Amy Torres at amy.torres@coloradodefenders.us  

The deadline for applying is 11:59 p.m. on April 16, 2025.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we cannot personally respond to each submission. We will notify you by phone and/or e-mail if you are selected for an interview.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR OSPD:

• 6 Health Plans- Cigna & Kaiser options
• Basic Vision Insurance - included with medical plans
• Dental Insurance
• State Paid Life Insurance
• State Paid Short-Term Disability 
• FSA – Healthcare and Dependent Care
• HSA Plan with Employer Contribution 
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 11 paid holidays
• Access to Mental Health and Well-Being Resources 
• Colorado PERA
• 401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans

For more information on benefits please visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits. For additional information on PERA visit  www.copera.org.

Additional information about the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender can be found at: http://www.coloradodefenders.us/

We are recruiting to fill one Supervising Paralegal positions for our Colorado Springs location. This classification describes the first-line supervisor responsible for overseeing the work of a group, unit or team of non-supervisory employees within the legal assistance/paralegal function of the office. Supervisory responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assigning work; performance management; modifying and authorizing work procedures; and, resolution of personnel matters under the direction of the Managing Paralegal or Office Head. Positions have demonstrated an advanced level of skill and experience across a broad variety of assignments involving work of the highest complexity. Positions perform a wide range of job assignments using independent judgement in accordance with established policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Positions require effective interpersonal and communications skills (e.g. providing direction and feedback, constructively dealing with conflict), as well as problem-solving. Within the assigned scope of responsibility, positions are able to formulate solutions to original problems to guide less experienced staff in handling a broad spectrum of cases or work assignments. Positions assume administrative responsibilities; mentor staff through coaching, developing and training in-house or agency wide; represent the office and agency to clients and external groups as appropriate; and, support and implement the directives of upper management. Positions perform paralegal work, frequently in an advanced capacity; however, may be assigned a reduced caseload as deemed necessary by the Office Head. This classification is not progressive; positions are allocated based on the business needs as determined by the State Public Defender.

Positions in this class may be assigned to provide paralegal support and assistance in one or more of the following areas: juvenile, misdemeanor or felony trial cases; appellate cases; or, homicide. Depending on the assignment, specific tasks and duties may vary.

Positions in this class serve as part of the defense team, and as such, are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding client confidentiality.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides direct supervision over a small group or unit of paralegal staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting employee performance evaluations and reviews; ensuring employees are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• The work requires discretion and independent judgment in the application of a specialized body of laws, regulations, agency policies and practices, and administrative proceedings
• Assists other supervisors and managers in coordinating and monitoring case assignments and day-to-day activities; modifying and authorizing work procedures; providing direction and guidance to effectively manage time, travel and resources; and, resolving personnel and other matters. 
• Assists the Managing Paralegal and/or Office Head in administrative duties such as leading meetings; serving as a resource or technical expert to other staff including recognizing and assisting in answering ethical questions; assisting with conflict determinations; filling system-wide needs; and, assisting in related regional office matters. 
• Delivers training to paralegals and other staff within the assigned regional office and agency-wide as needed.  Serves as a mentor being readily and regularly accessible to assigned paralegals.
• Positions conduct paralegal work and provide legal assistance to the attorneys on a wide range of moderate to complex cases; however, may carry a reduced caseload to accommodate supervisory and administrative tasks. The range of work performed requires advanced knowledge and experience applying relevant criminal procedures, rules and laws in conducting legal research; collecting, reviewing and organizing large volumes of discovery; creating and managing digital files and trial notebooks; drafting motions; and, identifying and accessing critical client information and records through research or interviews with clients, client family members and other parties. 
• Provides paralegal support to attorneys by assuming administrative tasks of the case such as, monitoring the case status; identifying critical timelines and initiating timely filings with the court; drafting a range of moderate to complex motions; transcribing witness interviews; and, drafting correspondence. 
• Processes and submits applicable forms and paperwork in accordance with mandated cost procedures and State Office policies and procedures.
• Depending on assignment, may provide trial assistance such as, coordinating with clients, client family members, experts or witnesses for court appearances; assisting with travel arrangements; preparing exhibits, attachments, and presentations for attorneys; and, preparing supporting documentation for motions, pleadings, court hearings, and conflict determinations. May explore treatment options and sentencing alternatives and prepare sentencing or mitigation packets and referrals.
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  In collaboration with leadership teams and human resources, ensures compliance with employment laws and practices to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ability to review discovery, legal documents and records. 
• Assists other regional offices in providing paralegal assistance and support.
• Occasional travel to other work locations may be required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Paralegal certificate from an ABA approved certification program,

1. OR equivalent education, training or experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to perform at this level may substitute for certification.

• One year of experience in OSPD or minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible paralegal experience in a public or private law office, which includes experience in criminal law.  

• Prior supervision experience is preferred. 

Knowledge:

• Supervisory principles and practices
• Knowledge of Westlaw and other legal and court resources;
• Applicable criminal procedures, rules and laws;
• Court procedures and terminology;
• Principles and rules of professional code of conduct;
• Principles of client-attorney privilege;
• English language, grammar and punctuation.

Skills:

• Leadership skills to effectively mentor, train, develop and guide others; delegate responsibilities; and set an example for other paralegal staff;
• Ability to evaluate performance, provide feedback on performance, and write objective and comprehensive employee evaluations;
• Strong client service focus;
• Maintaining client confidentiality and professional ethics standards;
• Conducting legal and factual research;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Applying and interpreting applicable rules, guidelines, policies and procedures;
• Time management to organize one’s own work and the work of others;
• Ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines;
• Completing multiple tasks and assignments with frequent interruptions;
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish effective working relationships with co-workers, court and law enforcement personnel, witnesses, and clients and client families;
• Effective communication, verbal and written, sufficient to exchange or convey information, including giving/receiving work direction.
• Proficient in standard software applications such as, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Power Point, internet browsers, e-mail and Adobe;
• Ability to process and retain large amounts of information.
• Ability to handle emergency or crisis situations.
• Skill in interpreting and applying them to varying situations; skill in evaluating the relevancy of precedents and summarizing pertinent data on issues;
• Skill in researching and maintaining legal databases using electronic resources;

NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status or other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Consistent with this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including the application and selection process. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact Ashley Caudle at Ashley.Caudle@coloradodefenders.us 

Salary : $5,945