STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Paralegal Specialist

Hybrid

Recruitment #240923-6142AR-001

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Introduction



Are you seeking career growth within the State of Connecticut? If so, consider this new and exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is currently recruiting for a Paralegal Specialist to provide legal support to different units of the agency located in Middletown, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • Visit our NEW State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees
  • The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • This position is full-time, first shift with the potential for telework, 40 hours per week, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, scheduled Monday - Friday.
  • As a Paralegal Specialist, you will be responsible for a range of legal work in support of six divisions, each having its own unique legal needs, and other units of the agency. 
  • You will also be tasked with responding to Freedom of Information requests, testifying in formal administrative hearings and assisting with contested case preparation.
  • Additionally, you will assist with litigation and discovery compliance in matters of civil litigation, will respond to subpoenas and subpoena compliance and will prepare responses to CHRO/EEOC complaints assisting with agency regulations, legislative proposals, ethics matters, contracts and litigation.  
      ABOUT US 
      The DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology.

      For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

       

      Selection Plan

      Before you apply:
      • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
      • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified. 
      • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
      • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@CT.Gov.
      • For assistance in applying, please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
      Important information for after you apply:
      Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview: 

      State Employees
      • Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
      • Completed CT-HR-13
      Non-State Employees
      • Two (2) professional references contact information including name, email, and phone number (at least one being a current and/or previous supervisor)
      • Completed CT-HR-13
      Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process. 

      Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field. 

      • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
      • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
      • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
      • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
      • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.
      Questions about this position should be directed to Alejandro G. Dávila-Hurtado at Alejandro.Davila-Hurtado@CT.Gov.

      PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

      In a state agency 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 preparing draft legal documents and draft decisions of highly complex cases, and is a resource regarding issues, procedures, process and timeframe as related to cases and presenting legal matters as needed.

      EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

      Performs highly complex paralegal duties as defined in one or both of the following areas:

      LEGAL OFFICE OPERATIONS

      • 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 from courts; 
      • 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; 
      • 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.

      CASE PRESENTATION OR HEARING

      • Analyzes highly complex cases; 
      • Develops positions and strategies to settle or litigate cases at formal or informal hearings; 
      • Prepares for and represents the 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; 
      • 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
        • relevant agency policies and procedures; 
        • and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; 
      • 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; OR
      • An Associate’s degree in legal studies and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; OR
      • Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program approved by the American Bar Association and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; OR
      • Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance 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; OR
      • Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program from a business school approved by the State of Connecticut, Office of Higher Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; OR
      • A Law degree from an accredited Law School.

      PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

      • Experience in responding to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA);
      • Experience managing backlogs and competing priorities while meeting deadlines;
      • Experience preparing for administrative hearings;
      • Experience testifying under oath;
      • Experience conducting legal research and interpreting and applying statutes;
      • Experience redacting video and audio communication;
      • Experience in civil litigation or criminal law; and
      • Experience in responding to subpoenas and subpoena compliance

      Conclusion

      AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

      The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

      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.




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