Paralegal Specialist-Southern Legal

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Brockton, MA

2d

About The Position

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a highly organized and driven individual with legal experience to fill the role of Paralegal Specialist. In this role the selected candidate will assist the agency in meeting the Federal requirements of Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the Social Security Act.
Additionally, the Paralegal Specialist will assist DCF Lawyers, legal managers, and peer administrative support staff to meet the requirements under state and federal law through development of external collaboration and partnerships with both staff in the local Massachusetts Probation Service Offices and the local Clerk’s Offices throughout the Commonwealth.

Requirements

• Two (2) or more years’ experience as a paraprofessional including experience in legal research.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and interact effectively with all stakeholders.
• Capacity to exercise discretion while handling confidential information.
• Knowledge and ability to read and understand legal documents such as decisions, briefs, opinions, and contracts.
• Strong ability to write concisely and effectively to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
• Ability to conduct interviews as well as identify and resolve problems as necessary and appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with external partners in the local Probation and Registrar/Clerks’ Offices of the Juvenile and Probate and Family Court to track and obtain all required legal documents, as well as any indigency intake applications and subsequent verifications, if available, to comply with State and Federal mandates that are needed for federal reimbursement and audits.
• Assist peer administrative support staff /paralegals, lawyers, and legal mangers by obtaining and sending all required legal documentation, as well as any indigency intake applications and subsequent verification, if available, to the Department, which are necessary to support federal reimbursements under Title IV-E of the Social Security act for foster case, adoptions or kinship guardianships in actions filed in Juvenile and Probate and Family Court.
• Assist as needed in the Legal Office and Area Offices to maximize IV-E revenue. This may include assisting in the collection of necessary legal documentation from the Court, obtaining reports from Social Workers and distributing such reports as required by any Court rules.
• Maintain a working relationship with the Area Office, Legal staff, and Court personnel to ensure the timely processing of and obtaining the required documentation under State and Federal Law.
• Perform related duties such as developing case tracking systems; preparing correspondence; operating office machines; filing required documents in an established filing system and/or electronically in the agency’s case management system.
• Maintain a working relationship with the Department’s revenue unit and revenue vendor.
• Meet regularly with the Department’s revenue vendor, the EOHHS revenue unit, and the Office of the General Counsel to facilitate communication and smooth operations between the revenue unit and the legal offices.
• Assist the Office of General Counsel and agency as needed in modifying its State Plan under Title IV-E and IV-B and in obtaining documents that are needed for various audits conducted to meet Title IV-E requirements or other state of federal laws or requirements.
• As requested, research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, opinions, determinations, and rulings to assist the agency in understanding and meeting its obligations under Title IV-E, IV-B, and other federal revenue sources.

Benefits

• Comprehensive 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!

What This Job Offers

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