Paralegal 1/2 (02-1371)
About The Position
This position works in the Public Defender Agency’s Anchorage office and is responsible for providing support to clients in the Agency’s Municipal Defense sections and litigation support for the leadehip team. The position also serves as the lead for two law office assistants, providing them training and guidance. This role invloves working directly with clients in the office, in correctional facilities, and on the phone; coordinating with social service providers in the community; and communicating regularly and effectively with attorneys and Agency administrators. Paralegals are an integral part of providing that representation and protecting our clients' rights. Paralegals work closely with attorneys and other Agency staff to acquire complete records and transcripts, provide high-level assistance on litigation preparation, and communicate with clients frequently in writing and over the phone. This position is essential to the success of this section by providing advanced administrative and legal support.
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 difficult, 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.
- Competency in Adaptability: adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
- Competency in Administrative Law: Knowledge of State and federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.
- Competency in Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).
- Post-secondary and/or vocational education in a legal, paralegal, criminal justice, or similar legal support area and/or experience performing paraprofessional legal investigation, discovery, and providing support in the preparation of legal cases, reports, documents, and exhibits.
- 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 work regular overtime during the standard workweek, on weekends, and/or holidays to provide support to the assigned duty attorney (if required by vacancy announcement).
Nice To Haves
- Successful completion of training under a formally established Paralegal 1-2 flexible staffing training plan with the State of Alaska
Responsibilities
- Providing support to clients in the Agency’s Municipal Defense sections
- Litigation support for the leadership team
- Serving as the lead for two law office assistants, providing them training and guidance
- Working directly with clients in the office, in correctional facilities, and on the phone
- Coordinating with social service providers in the community
- Communicating regularly and effectively with attorneys and Agency administrators
- Acquiring complete records and transcripts
- Providing high-level assistance on litigation preparation
- Communicating with clients frequently in writing and over the phone
Benefits
- Opportunity to learn about the legal system
- Hone administrative skills to further career development in the legal field
- Meaningful contributions to Alaska
- Formal and on-the-job training with supervisor and colleagues
- Downtown parking provided by the Agency near the office
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
