Paralegal 1/2 (PCN 03-0421)

$53,830 - $61,838/Yr

State Of Alaska - Palmer, AK

Full-time - Entry Level

Palmer, AK

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Paralegal for the Child Protection Section will provide essential legal assistance to attorneys representing the Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services. This role is pivotal in supporting attorneys who handle child-in-need-of-aid cases, ensuring that legal processes are followed meticulously and efficiently. The paralegal will be responsible for a variety of tasks including trial and hearing support, significant discovery review and redaction, routine legal research, document and motion drafting, witness interview coordination, evidence gathering and production, preparation of pretrial notebooks, and the production of exhibits. The Civil Division of the Department of Law plays a crucial role in providing legal counsel to the executive branch in all civil actions. This division is tasked with defending and prosecuting civil litigation involving the state, handling legal matters for the governor and executive branch agencies, and providing legal advice upon request to the legislative and judicial branches. The division also reviews regulations prepared by executive agencies, drafts legislation for introduction by the governor, and reviews all legislation before it is acted upon by the governor. Joining our team means becoming an integral part of a mission-driven organization that is dedicated to protecting Alaska's children. Paralegals in our office are seen as the right hand of attorneys, assisting them throughout the entire legal process. This position offers opportunities to learn about the legal system, engage with the court, prepare for hearings and trials, and contribute to the welfare of Alaskans. Successful candidates will be those who can reliably work alongside their assigned attorneys, managing various deadlines and legal challenges effectively. The position offers a 37.5-hour work week, 12 paid holidays, and personal leave accrual starting at 6 hours per pay period, which increases with years of service. Additionally, there is an optional hybrid telework schedule available after the probationary period, with general office hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, allowing for flexibility in establishing regular hours around core business hours.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance to attorneys representing the Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services.
• Support attorneys in trial and hearing preparations for child-in-need-of-aid cases.
• Conduct significant discovery review and redaction of legal documents.
• Perform routine legal research to support case preparation.
• Draft legal documents and motions as required.
• Coordinate witness interviews and manage evidence gathering and production.
• Prepare pretrial notebooks and produce exhibits for court proceedings.

Requirements

• Familiarity with litigation requirements and processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
• Proficient computer skills relevant to legal work.
• Experience as a paralegal or in document management, civil litigation, or a related field is desired.
• Ability to work effectively under deadline pressure and changing priorities.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in administrative law and knowledge of state and federal administrative laws.
• Ability to handle high-stress situations calmly and effectively.

Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week
• 12 paid holidays
• Personal leave accrual starting at 6 hours per pay period (approximately 21 days annually)
• Optional hybrid telework schedule after probationary period
• Flexibility in establishing regular hours around core business hours