Paralegal

Objectives Summary The objective summary of this job classification is to assist attorneys by researching legal precedent, investigating facts or preparing legal documents. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense or to initiate legal action. For more information about living in Clovis, NM, click here. For more information about living in Portales, NM, click here. Our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood. Essential Functions Drafts and prepares legal correspondence for attorneys. Coordinates administrative support activities. Opens and manages cases through closure. Maintains up-to-date case management/tracking system. Keeps accurate files of correspondence and materials relating to cases. Conveys information to clients regarding the status of cases and the legal process. Schedules court hearings and appointments. Deals with the public, and serves as a contact between LOPD and all court staff, district attorneys and law enforcement personnel. Researches law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, constitutions, and legal codes to prepare case accordingly. Prepares dockets and prints necessary documents, such as summons, grand jury indictments, and supplemental criminal information. May draft legal instruments, motions, pleadings, appeals, docketing statements correspondence, release and agreements. This classification may be required to report to a judicial partner’s building or office. Which may include Courthouses, District Attorney Offices, Detention Centers and/or Correctional Facilities. To perform the essential functions an incumbent in this classification may be required to successfully complete a 3rd party background check conducted by a judicial partner. Performs related and other duties as assigned. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of work experience drafting and preparing legal correspondence, conducting legal research and maintaining a case management/tracking system. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required education and experience. Employment Requirements Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License. Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa. Collective Bargaining: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to. Default FLSA: Non‑exempt In accordance with DOL FLSA and LOPD NMAC and LOPD’s Compensation Agreement that is signed upon hire during onboarding classifications identified as non‑exempt may be compensated for all authorized hours (subject to approval from a supervisor) worked over 40 hours in a work week (begins on Saturday). These classifications may decline overtime. LOPD compensates with compensatory time (paid time off accrued) at a 1.5x rate in lieu of cash payments, if they request to work extra hours in advance and get approval from their supervisor. These classifications are not eligible for cash payments for extra hours worked. Compensatory time may be paid out upon leaving the department depending on budget availability. The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition. This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages. Benefits The State's General Services Department Risk Management Division, Employee Benefits Bureau (EBB), is responsible for the procurement and oversight of employee benefits - including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance. The State's Group Benefits Plan also offers COBRA, Flexible Spending Account Programs, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Erisa Administrative Services, Inc. (Erisa) is the State's Third Party Administrator. They provide benefits administration to all plan participants, and offer knowledgeable staff to answer your questions. To learn more about the benefits available please click here. In addition to the benefits listed above, the Law Offices of The Public Defender offers a retirement plan and a medical program for retirees. For more information regarding the plan you can visit the following websites: Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico Website New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority Total Compensation Package As an employee of the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD), you receive regular pay for your services. The other part of your total compensation is the value of the benefits LOPD makes available to you and, if applicable, your family. The Total Compensation Estimator is for illustrative purposes only and provides benefits‑eligible employees an estimate of their total compensation based on selected options from the drop‑downs in the estimator. Please click here to download the Total Compensation Estimator on our website, Join Our Team section. This estimator is not a legal document. All benefits are governed by the actual benefit plans, which have precedence over the information reported in this calculator. Rates are not guaranteed and may change annually based on legislative decisions. If you have any questions about this estimator, don't hesitate to get in touch with Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io State and Federal Laws - Rights of Employees* Employers are required by state and federal law to post certain information concerning the rights of employees. The required posters are listed below and may be printed individually using a standard printer and paper. Human Rights Act Poster- PDF file New Mexico Job Health and Safety Protection (State OSHA) New Mexico Workers' Compensation Act and supply of Notice of Accident (NOA) Forms Human Trafficking - (English) (Español) (Navajo) Paid Sick Leave - (English) (Español) (Vietnamese) Family Medical Leave Act - (English), (Español) Pregnant Workers Fairness Act - (English), (Espanol) Employee Rights under USERRA - (English) Please contact View email address on click.appcast.io for questions. 01 Doctorate Master's Degree Bachelor's Degree Associates Degree or Technical/Vocational Certificate High School Diploma or GED Less than a High School Diploma or GED 02 How many total years of experience do you have documented in the Work Experience section of your application related to this Job Classification? Please NOTE: If the years of experience that you indicate below cannot be found in the Work Experience section of this application, your application may not be eligible for further consideration. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your work experience at this time. If you are attempting to attach documents, but are unable to, you should email View email address on click.appcast.io, with the documents and your contact information. Or if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview. 10 years of experience 9 years of experience 8 years of experience 7 years of experience 6 years of experience 5 years of experience 4 years of experience 3 years of experience 2years of experience 1 year of experience 6 Months 3 Months None 03 Do you have experience working with the correspondence and legal papers such Management System database? Yes No 04 Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question. 05 Do you have experience preparing and processing legal documents, creating and maintaining legal calendars, ensuring court deadlines are met in a legal setting? Yes No 06 Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question. 07 Do you have experience working in a law office as a paralegal or legal secretary? Yes No 08 Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question. 09 Please choose the level that best describes your fluency in any language(s) other than English. I understand that I may be asked to certify my language proficiency upon hire and that I may be required to provide translation services if selected for this job. Advanced Intermediate Beginner Not Familiar 10 If you chose Beginner or above in the previous question, please identify in the text box what language(s) you are fluent in. Note: If you selected Not Familiar in the previous question please write, N/A in the text box below. 11 For current State of New Mexico employees: I understand that the Law Offices of the Public Defender will only accept up to 40 hours of annual leave and all sick leave. Furthermore, upon transfer, I will begin a new probationary period regardless of a break in service from my current state agency. I Understand 12 I understand that my responses to the questions regarding years of experience and education will be confirmed. I have included my related work experience in the Work Experience Section of my application with a detailed description of my related duties. If I am attempting to attach documents, but unable to, I should email View email address on click.appcast.io., with the documents and my contact information. Or if selected for an interview, I may bring the documents to my interview. I Understand Required Question #J-18808-Ljbffr