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CONTRACTUAL BILINGUAL PARALEGAL I

Recruitment #17-000884-0002

Introduction

The Office of the Public Defender is a statewide independent agency charged with providing superior legal representation to indigent defendants.  The agency’s vision is Justice, Fairness and Dignity for All.  Employees are committed to the core values of culture of excellence, client centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and are united in achieving the agency’s mission.

The Office of the Public Defender is seeking bilingual detail oriented applicants with legal research skills, exceptional organizational, critical thinking and problem solving skills highly proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook to fill full-time Contractual Paralegal I-Bilingual positions in its Felony Trial Division located in Baltimore City.  The Contractual Paralegal I-Bilingual provides assistance to Assistant Public Defender by performing legal research, preparing files on cases, drafting legal documents, filing documents in court, assisting with pretrial preparation, answering correspondence and interviewing clients and witnesses.  This position involves significant client contact with indigent defendants and their families in office, court, detention center and/or state prison settings.  Travel between offices and courthouses to pick up and deliver documents is required.

Bilingual skills are required for this position.  Applicants must be able to speak, read and write proficiently in both Spanish and English.

GRADE

10

LOCATION OF POSITION

Felony Trial Division - 201 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

Main Purpose of Job

The Paralegal I is the intermediate level of support work to an attorney involving legal research, application of Maryland case law, preparation and filing of various legal documents and pretrial preparation including answering client correspondence and interviewing clients and witnesses. Employees in these classifications do not supervise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

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

Notes:

1. Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.

2. Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school may be substituted for the required experience.

3. Additional years of experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in paralegal specialist classifications or paralegal specialist specialty codes in the legal and kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Bilingual skills are required for this position.  Applicants must be able to speak, read and write proficiently in both Spanish and English.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Basic knowledge of criminal law terminology and procedures.  Knowledge of Westlawnext or other legal research applications.  Strong interest in working with indigent defendants and their families.  Familiarity working with individuals with cognitive or mental health concerns. Exceptional organizational, critical thinking and problem solving skills.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Class descriptions broadly define groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be admitted to the examination for this classification.  Successful candidates will be ranked as BEST QUALIFIED, BETTER QUALIFIED, OR QUALIFIED and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of the position.  You may be required to complete a qualifications supplement, or the rating may be based on your application.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.  As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Leave may be granted to a temporary/contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year. 

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online Applications Preferred.  Please fax all paper applications and questionnaires to (410) 333-8134.

Inquiries regarding applications and submitting paper applications can be directed to: Office of the Public Defender, Human Resources Division, 6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 1304, Baltimore, MD 21202; or by calling (410) 767-8500, toll free: 877-430-5187; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service 800-735-2258.  Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.

A paper copy of the MD State application form and questionnaire can be downloaded from the link below.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.




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