What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal position at State of North Carolina?
Are you a highly skilled paralegal looking to transition your expertise to a meaningful public service role? Join our team!
We value our employees and are committed to providing flexibility in work schedules. This position qualifies for teleworking on a part-time basis as part of the State Telework Program.
This Paralegal position works with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of General Counsel and is assigned to the Public Safety Section of the North Carolina Attorney General's Office. This position assists with the litigation of civil rights lawsuits, personnel cases, Crime Victims Compensation cases, OSHA cases, and other civil litigation.
Job duties for this position include:
- Independently handling a full caseload of complex cases
- Utilizing relevant software systems including ACIS, VCAP, WESTLAW, and/or Lexis-Nexis
- Receiving requests for waivers from the federal courts and distribute these among staff
- Preparing summaries of new cases and suggesting case assignments
- Contacting insurance companies regarding coverage for contractors, travel nurses, and locum tenans physicians working at DPS facilities
- Training new paralegals and administrative support staff
- Maintaining pleading and forms directories
- Assisting the Section Head with generating internal reports and statutorily-required external reports
- Drafting and/or preparing a wide variety of legal documents including trial preparation reports; case summaries; summaries of medical and other records; questions for interviews of witness and questions for depositions; affidavits; pleadings; motions; orders; discoveries; statements of fact; and settlement documents in state, federal, and administrative court cases
- Independently ensuring personal work and that of the paralegal team meet Department standards
- Using computer databases to document, file, and retrieve legal documents
- Gathering and organizing information and exhibits for attorneys
- Contacting and scheduling witnesses and depositions
- Attending witness interviews, courtroom hearings, and trials
- Researching complex legal issues using computer research programs and manual research methods and/or the assistance of court clerks and reporters
- Pursuing any issues that develop during the research process
- Reviewing and analyzing research materials and court opinions to reach a decision on their applicability, including checking citations and authorities for research and briefs
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the laws relevant to the work of the Department of Public Safety
- Remain organized in regard to personal caseload and administrative functions
- Organize and maintain records and case files
- Proofread and edit legal documents
- Communicate clearly, logically, professionally, and effectively in written and oral form
- Analyze and interpret statutes, case law, formal rules, policies, and procedural guidelines
- Use logical thinking skills to resolve problems and questions
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Apply collaborative methods in an active litigation and operational environment
This position's typical work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm.
Job duties for this position require some overtime work and travel. A valid driver’s license must be obtained by date of hire.
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, and health insurance. To view an example of total compensation, please click here NC OSHR: Total Compensation Calculator
About the NC Dept. of Public Safety (DPS):
The mission of DPS is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through prevention, protection, and preparation. DPS is comprised of approximately 6,000 permanent positions and nearly 13,000 NC National Guard soldiers and airmen. DPS employees help to ensure North Carolina is a safe place to live, work and visit through effective law enforcement, juvenile justice programs, emergency response and recovery and homeland security preparedness.
DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.
The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant’s potential to qualify for the position, as well as the highest possible salary. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. State Government Application Resources | NC Office of Human Resources
[Resumes may be attached as a supplement to the application but are not a substitution for a complete application.]
To qualify for this position, applicants must demonstrate ALL of the following KSAs:
- Experience with the rules of procedure in state and/or federal courts
- Experience with administrative proceedings of cases in trial courts and/or appellate courts
- Knowledge of the proper formats of legal documents
- Experience with Microsoft Word
- Experience using case management database technology
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we are committed to full inclusion of qualified applicants and will review requests for reasonable accommodation to perform essential job functions during the hiring process or while on the job.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
For applicants with student loans, becoming a state employee may include eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.
Transcripts
- Attaching transcripts is optional, however, we recommend applicants attach unofficial transcripts to assist in providing credit for education including in substituting education gained for experience. Additionally, qualifying for some positions may require validating hours of coursework in a specific field of study and transcripts are crucial to awarding credit. Degrees and transcripts must be achieved from an appropriately accredited college or university.
- Applicants who earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, must attach an unofficial transcript to receive credit for education.
- International degrees and transcripts must be evaluated for accreditation by a recognized evaluation service by the closing date of this posting. Failure to provide documentation may result in ineligibility. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options to provide credential verification: https://www.naces.org/members.
Military Experience
- Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty that includes Character of Discharge - Member 4 or Service 2 form) to the application.
- Applicants seeking National Guard Preference:
- A current member of the North Carolina National Guard in good standing must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS).
- A former member of the North Carolina National Guard who served for at least 6 years and were discharged under honorable conditions, must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
The NC Dept. of Public Safety must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape." PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. Please log in to your Government Jobs account and click "Application Status." If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by the hiring manager. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification.
For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact MG Orman at martha.g.orman@ncdps.gpv.
Salary : $61,006 - $91,510
