PARALEGAL - LITIGATION/IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH ASSISTANT

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

7d•$5,127 - $7,135•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hiring a Paralegal to support the Bureau of Legal Services and its attorneys with litigation, policy development, legal research, and operational changes arising from evolving laws, audits, and court actions. The position supports litigation matters through case tracking, records management, document review, and document preparation, and works with program areas to assess legal and operational impacts. It also researches policies, operations, practices, and procedures related to newly established administrative rules, programs, and policies, and presents findings to attorneys and upper-level management. Under the general supervision of a licensed attorney, the employee plans and completes research projects as directed by management and provides backup support for the Department’s contract-routing process. The role is newly created and is primarily office-based. Limited remote work may be available after successful completion of the probationary period, subject to operational needs. Training and support will be provided. The position is based at the Department’s headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, and has a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The anticipated hybrid schedule involves three to five days per week in the office, depending on operational needs. Travel is required, and the employee must have an appropriate, valid driver’s license. A name-based background screening and self-disclosure of criminal history are also required.

Requirements

Education equivalent to completion of four years of college, with coursework in legal studies, pre-law, English, statistics, or directly related coursework.
Ability to travel in the performance of duties.
Appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings relevant to the job duties.
Completion of a name-based background screening and self-disclosure of criminal history.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience as a paralegal or other legal support professional, including legal research, document review, and document drafting.
Two years of legal-writing experience, including drafting legal documents and memoranda and using template documents.
Two years of experience using Lexis+ or similar legal research software.
Two years of experience reviewing reports or documents, determining whether they are accurate and complete, making appropriate corrections, and identifying when further research may be needed.
Two years of experience reviewing multiple documents and narratives and preparing concise, accurate summaries of facts and legal issues.

Responsibilities

Provide general paralegal support services to the Bureau of Legal Services under the general supervision of a licensed attorney.
Coordinate, prepare, and monitor litigation matters.
Research policies, operations, practices, and procedures related to implementing newly established administrative rules, programs, and policies.
Present research findings to attorneys and upper-level management.
Plan, coordinate, and execute research projects as directed by management.
Provide backup services for the IDOA contract-routing process.
Attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, and other topics relevant to the job duties.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the listed duties.