PARALEGAL II- DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS/PERSONNEL

The employee follows Federal and State law, and OAG policies, including policies prohibiting sexual harassment and illegal and unfair discrimination; and follows direction of supervisors. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: In order to satisfactorily complete job functions E, this position must: a. make all necessary arrangements; b. obtain all prior approval for travel, anticipate and clarify need for particular meeting and providing necessary documentation, as coordinated with attorney(s). PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: In order to satisfactorily complete job function D, mail should be prepared and distributed in accordance with division policy. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: In order to satisfactorily complete job function C, phones must be answered a. within three rings; b. in a professional, courteous and helpful manner; c. when transferring a call to another unit, insure call is directed appropriately by verifying with the receiving party; and d. when taking messages, be sure they are legible, the spelling of the name is correct, and the phone number is verified. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: In order to satisfactorily complete job function B, filing must be a. up-to-date in accordance with division and office policies; and b. kept in good order and in the appropriate location. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: In order to satisfactorily complete job functions A documents must be a. prepared in conformance with division protocol, i.e., pleading, letter and memo formats and citation usage; b. proofread for accuracy and flow of document content; c. checked for spelling and grammar mistakes using available software and other resources; and d. returned to the appropriate person the same or next day subject to other specific needs for completion of that assignment, and when requested and appropriate, all priority assignments will be completed within the time frame given. DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Deciding on priority of work assignments and daily activities, and when necessary, to recommend to the Administrative Aide/ Management Associate that arrangements for additional assistance be made to assure timeliness of assignments. When receiving incoming calls with questions unrelated to the division, deciding on who should handle the call and recommending to the caller that they contact that division or office. LEVEL, FREQUENCY AND PURPOSE OF WORK CONTACTS: Daily communication with attorneys within the office (in person and by phone) to discuss work assignments and needs, scheduling matters, messages and other information necessary to complete daily routine and/or activities. Daily communication with Administrator to discuss office policies, OAG protocol, requested information, workload, overflow requests or needs, coverage, computer and software questions, and other matters as necessary to ensure efficient operation of the office. Daily, weekly, and/or monthly contact with other divisions of the OAG regarding pending cases, meetings, moot courts and general information. Daily communication with the general public (by phone) by receiving incoming calls from the general public and offering appropriate assistance or forwarding calls of a general or specific nature to the appropriate division or office. JOB DUTIES: : PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS/PERSONNEL Complies with the highest standard of professional and ethical conduct; the employee does not engage in illegal or unfair discrimination or sexual harassment; and follows direction of supervisors. The employee: (a) Works cooperatively with other OAG staff; (b) Has reliable and predictable attendance. (c) Is courteous with the public (d) Follows and implements office policy. (e) Is dependable and honest. (f) Volunteers to perform additional assignments, if possible. JOB DUTIES: : E. Schedule meetings and enter on written or computer-generated calendar in addition to any other events or activities that require an appearance and/or response as directed by the owner of the calendar; and make necessary arrangements, including travel, court reporter, conference room, and, when appropriate, confirm arrangements with other attendees. JOB DUTIES: : D. Open and review incoming mail and distribute as directed by the supervising attorney, and also assuring it is forwarded to the appropriate person(s). JOB DUTIES: : C. Answer and screen telephone calls for the division in a professional and courteous manner, providing assistance, when possible, and/or taking a clear and accurate message using the appropriate forms as provided by the division. Provide periodic relief on all reception desks as indicated by current OAG policy. JOB DUTIES: : B. Keep accurate and up-to-date litigation and/or subject files following the guidelines provided in the OAG File Protocol, and performing regular maintenance of files assuring appropriate location, labeling, and organization. Perform data entry on OAG Case Tracker system as well as completing any required forms for accurate and complete recordation of all pending and closed matters and cases. JOB DUTIES: : A. Type and/or edit pleadings, briefs, correspondence, memoranda and documents from written form, recorded dictation or existing word-processor generated material for attorneys assigned in a timely manner using the proper format to include drafting basic pleadings and transactional documents for review and/or signature of attorney assigned, as well as finalizing and forwarding to the appropriate location in a timely manner. Provide assistance to other divisions/units as requested through the appropriate Administration personnel. Review and organize documents in preparation for trial, meetings, court filings and for other purposes as requested within the division.

The Office of the Attorney General is seeking applicants for a Paralegal II position for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The position will provide paralegal and administrative support to at least five Assistant Attorneys General representing DNR. Responsibilities include drafting of correspondence and pleadings; organization and preparation of documents for discovery; assistance in all aspects of litigation preparation; real estate transactional support; research and general administrative support.

Education:  Graduation from an accredited high school or possess a high school equivalency certificate

Experience:  Three years of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary performing legal research or preparing legal documents on behalf of an attorney.

Notes:  Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college, university, or law school may be substituted for the required experience. Applicants may substitute additional qualifying education at the rate of one year of education for two years of the required experience.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application (and on separate pages, if necessary) to show that you meet the qualification for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

•  Working knowledge of Microsoft Office or comparable word processing skills
•  Strong organizational and writing skills
•  Detail-oriented and be able to work at a consistently high volume
•  Knowledge of civil litigation procedures preferred

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred. If the online application process is not available, please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to: Yolanda Colkley, Fair Practices Officer, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202 or fax to 410-576-6447. If you have specific questions about this recruitment, please call 410-576-6440 or email jobs@oag.state.md.us. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.