Paralegal II

State of Maryland•Dorchester, MD

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is seeking applicants for a Paralegal II to support the legal department representing the Dorchester and Somerset County Departments of Social Services (DCDSS and SCDSS) within the Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS is Maryland’s primary social services agency, serving more than one million residents annually through its 24 local departments. DHS is responsible for setting statewide policy, providing oversight, and supporting local offices, such as the DCDSS and SCDSS. The DCDSS and SCDSS deliver critical services directly to the community. These services include child welfare, adult protective services, and support for vulnerable children and adults. The Paralegal will provide direct support to two Assistant Attorneys General (AAG). This position plays a vital role in supporting legal proceedings related to Child in Need of Assistance (CINA), Termination of Parental Rights (TPR), Adult Protective Services, and Adult Guardianship. The role also includes support for administrative hearings involving child abuse, neglect, and other matters, as well as handling records requests and related legal tasks. This position will be jointly based at the Dorchester and Somerset County Departments of Social Services (DSS). The selected employee will divide their time between the two offices, with the schedule determined by case assignments and operational workload needs within each jurisdiction. This collaborative environment encourages continuous learning and offers support from experienced and dedicated legal professionals, making this a rewarding and challenging role for a dedicated Paralegal.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Three years of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary performing legal research or preparing legal documents on behalf of an attorney.
Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.
Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school may be substituted for the required experience.
Additional years of experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in paralegal specialist classifications or paralegal specialist specialty codes in the legal and kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited four-year college or university.
Experience using MDEC to Serve to file pleadings electronically.
Experience with Adobe Pro and electronic record redaction.
Experience preparing subpoenas.

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and organize legal documents such as pleadings, discovery materials, filings, and correspondence.
Support attorneys in court preparation, including the preparation and organization of exhibits and evidence and attend court when necessary.
Monitor legal deadlines and ensure timely filings and submissions.
Prepare materials for mediations, settlement conferences, and court hearings.
Manage case files and databases, ensuring documents are current, organized, and easily accessible.
Assist in preparing reports, presentations, and summaries for internal and external use.
Communicate with clients, courts, and third parties to gather information and relay updates.
As necessary, perform investigation and review of information to obtain necessary documentation and summarize information for use in pending matters and make recommendations on releasing information according to statue or regulations to protect confidentiality.
Perform redactions of documents to comply with state and federal confidentiality laws.
Schedule meetings and maintain attorney calendars

Benefits

Annual Leave: 10–25 days per year based on service.
Sick Leave: 15 days per year with unlimited carryover.
Personal Leave: Up to 6 days per year.
Paid Holidays: 12 state holidays.
Paid Family Leave: Provides at least 12 weeks of paid leave for personal medical needs, family caregiving, and qualifying military-related reasons.
Medical, dental, and vision plans.
Defined‑benefit pension plan plus 401(k) and 457 supplemental retirement options.
Hybrid and flexible work schedules available for many roles.
Ongoing training and development opportunities.
Flexible Spending Accounts, free mass transit (eligible areas), Employee Assistance Program, and access to SECU.