State of Connecticut Executive Branch

DCJ Paralegal Specialist (2615DD)

$35.80-$44.90 Hourly / $2,863.95-$3,591.88 BiWeekly /
$74,749.00-$93,748.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Division of Criminal Justice, this class is accountable for providing advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit. This class provides advanced technical leadership, research and consultation in the areas of case analysis; preparing draft legal documents and draft decisions of highly complex cases; as a resource regarding issues, procedures, process and timeframe as related to cases and presenting legal matters as needed.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the limited supervision of an attorney.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May supervise technical, paraprofessional, and clerical staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Interprets complex state statutes and federal regulations governing legal records and documents; 
  • Determines and applies applicable state statute and/or regulation in preparing documentation; 
  • Interprets court rules and agency policies and regulations; 
  • Keeps abreast of the latest court rules, calendar changes and pending legislation; 
  • Monitors and adheres to court deadlines; 
  • Reviews legal documents and prepares legal documents such as briefs, writs and pleadings for court filings; 
  • Responds to relevant case information requests;
  • Performs legal research and analysis of law sources such as statutes, legal articles, legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material; 
  • Prepares draft legal documents; provides assistance in the discovery process;
  • Provides paralegal assistance by interpreting applicable legal provisions, regulations, precedents and policies; 
  • Responds to requests and obtains information of sensitive nature; 
  • Acts as liaison between agency, court system, relevant attorney’s offices and general public; 
  • Serves as agency liaison regarding relevant policies and procedures; prepares legal and administrative reports; 
  • Updates and maintains case records, pleadings, policy manuals and filing systems; 
  • Analyzes highly complex cases; 
  • Develops positions and strategies to settle or litigate cases at formal or informal hearings; 
  • Prepares for and represents State’s interest at hearings or through case presentation; 
  • Researches and gathers relevant evidence and documentation; 
  • Interviews witnesses and clients; 
  • Drafts legal documents, complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters and proposed findings and awards; 
  • Reviews substantiation appeals and provides recommendation to management regarding the legal sufficiency of substantiation findings; 
  • Assists in the drafting of proposed legislation and advisory opinions; provides training and assistance to staff; 
  • May perform business mathematical computations; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • legal processes and procedures;
    • legal terminology and legal forms;
    • legal research techniques;
  • Knowledge of
    • and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;
    • relevant agency policies and procedures;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • skill in fact finding techniques including interviewing clients and compiling evidence;
  • Considerable ability to
    • evaluate pertinent facts, cases and evidence and compile and assemble such legal data;
    • compose correspondence and draft legal documents;
  • Ability to
    • understand complex laws and related reports;
    • utilize computer software. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

The General Experience is defined as one of the following:
  • A Bachelor’s degree in legal studies and one (1) year of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
  • An Associate’s degree in legal studies and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
  • Completion of a paralegal or legal assistant certificate program approved by the American Bar Association and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
  • Completion of a paralegal or legal assistant certificate program consisting of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
  • Completion of a paralegal or legal assistant certificate program from a business school approved by the State Department of Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.
  • A Law degree from an accredited Law School.

COMPENSATION GUIDELINES

  • The classification of DCJ Paralegal Specialist is assigned to Salary Group DD 23.
  • Employees shall proceed through that salary group and then shall proceed to the maximum salary of Salary Group DD 24.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Unclassified

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(18)-Legal

BARGAINING UNIT

(57)-DCJ AFSCME LOCAL 749

EEO

(5)-Para-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

DD 23

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

New job code. Item No. 23-005

EFFECTIVE DATE

12/22/2022
CLASS: 2615DD; REV: 2/9/2023;