Paralegal 1 (PCN031384)

State of Alaska • Palmer, AK

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Law, Division of Criminal is recruiting for a Paralegal 1 in Palmer. This position is open to Alaska Residents only. The person hired into this position will be substituting for the permanent employee while they are on extended leave, which is expected to be until 9/30/2027. This position receives all benefits, including retirement (PERS). In the event the permanent employee returns to work, the incumbent of this substitute position will be place in layoff status with full layoff rights to the Paralegal job class. In your role as a Paralegal, you will help members in your community who are directly impacted by crime and help victims and witnesses understand their rights and navigate them through the criminal justice system. This includes providing them updates throughout the life of a case as well as informing them of resources available to them. You will also play an important role of the prosecution team working through the criminal justice system to resolve legal issues, including building relationships with other agencies such as law enforcement, court personnel and victim advocates. Our mission is to seek justice, promote public safety and public respect for government through prompt, effective, and compassionate prosecution of cases in a matter that advocates for the interests of the victims, respects the law enforcement agencies, responsibly stewards public resources, and holds offenders accountable while at the same time protecting the constitutional and legal rights of the accused. You will have an opportunity to learn about the legal system, engage with the court, prepare for hearings and trials, and provide vital support to everyone involved. You can make a difference in someone’s life and take pride in knowing that you have assisted members of your community. The work you will be part of will have a direct impact on promoting safe and secure communities throughout Alaska. This position is considered a flex position. After successfully demonstrating the core competencies outlined in the flex agreement, the incumbent will become eligible to flex to a Paralegal 2 position (Range 16). The Palmer District Attorney's Office is located at 515 E. Dahlia Ave; Suite 150, Palmer, AK. The office environment is friendly, fast-paced, and never boring. In our office, you can become a leader, work as part of a team; work in one or more areas of law and build your office and computer skills.

Requirements

• Competency in Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Competency in Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Competency in Reading: Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.
• Competency in Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Post-secondary and/or vocational education in a legal or legal support area and/or experience preparing, reviewing, or processing legal documents such as affidavits, court reports, demand letters, discovery requests or responses, hearing transcripts, memoranda of advice/instruction/understanding, letters of agreement, motions, legal opinions, subpoenas, and/or writs.
• Ability to obtain a Notary Public upon hire.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check to meet security requirements for using criminal record networks such as Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and National Crime Enforcement Information Center/National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NCIC/NLETS).
• Ability to tolerate some exposure to graphic pictures, coarse language, and detailed descriptions of sometimes horrific criminal acts.

Nice To Haves

• Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Information Management: Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.

Responsibilities

• Help members in your community who are directly impacted by crime.
• Help victims and witnesses understand their rights and navigate them through the criminal justice system.
• Provide them updates throughout the life of a case.
• Inform them of resources available to them.
• Play an important role of the prosecution team working through the criminal justice system to resolve legal issues.
• Build relationships with other agencies such as law enforcement, court personnel and victim advocates.
• Learn about the legal system.
• Engage with the court.
• Prepare for hearings and trials.
• Provide vital support to everyone involved.

Benefits

• Retirement (PERS)
• 12 paid holidays
• Personal leave accrual starting at 6 hours per pay period (about 21 days annually) and increasing with years of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree