Paralegal Specialist - Northern Legal

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Lawrence, MA

About The Position

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a dynamic individual to fill the critical role of Paralegal Specialist. The selected candidate will assist lawyers and the clinical staff representing the agency in Juvenile and Probate and Family Court actions, termination of parental rights, guardianship, Child in Need of Services, and adoption cases. Dedicated DCF legal professionals are committed to supporting the agency as it works to fundamentally revise its child welfare practice. DCF is revising its core work processes and policies to align with its core practice values and is approaching organizational change at three levels - clinical, managerial and systemic. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) strength-based, 4) community-focused, 5) culturally safe, and, 6) committed to continuous learning. A commitment to diversity and cultural competence is central to the agency’s organizational change. To learn more about our services and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf

Requirements

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions: I. An Associate's or higher degree with a major in paralegal studies may be substituted for the required experience.
II. Completion of one year of study at a recognized, degree-granting law school may be substituted for the required experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required.

Nice To Haves

Ability to exercise sound judgment.
Ability to interact effectively with people.
Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to give written and oral instructions in a precise understandable manner.
Ability to conduct interviews.
Ability to write concisely and effectively, to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
Ability to read and understand legal documents such as decisions, briefs, opinions, and contracts.
Ability to identify and resolve problems as necessary and appropriate.

Responsibilities

Review and draft appropriate documents for purposes of filing and processing actions filed by the Child Welfare agency in Juvenile and Probate and Family Court, including actions relating to adoption, petitions under G.L. ch. 119, §23, guardianship, and paternity actions.
Assist lawyers and the area office staff with required parental/party notification on actions filed in Juvenile and Probate and Family Court.
Support legal offices and the area office staff with tracking, filing in court and obtaining legal documents to comply with State and Federal mandates.
Maintain a working relationship with the Area Office and Legal staff and Court personnel to ensure the timely processing of permanency for children, including the compliance monitoring, reviewing and filing Permanency Hearing reports. Perform related duties such as developing case tracking systems; preparing correspondence; operating office machines; scheduling appointments; ordering birth, marriage, death and divorce certificates, assisting in discovery requests, including redacting of files, paternity issues and assisting with office operations.
Collaborate with legal team to prepare cases for trial or administrative proceedings by collecting and evaluating evidence, organizing case file documentation and exhibits, and briefing legal counsel on case issues prior to such proceedings. Conduct research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, opinions, determinations and rulings in order to prepare legal digest detailing the points of law involved.
Assist in preparing such legal documents as briefs, summaries, and responses to interrogatories by interviewing relevant parties, reviewing and analyzing facts and points of law, and drafting documents for review and approval by legal counsel.

Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100%25 of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

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