Paralegal II

Introduction The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness. GRADE ASTD12 LOCATION OF POSITION Office of the Attorney General Department of Natural Resources 580 Taylor Avenue Annapolis, MD 21401 Main Purpose of Job The OAG is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Paralegal II to support the legal team serving the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The OAG provides legal guidance and representation to DNR in its mission to preserve, protect, restore, and enhance Maryland’s natural resources. The DNR legal team advises, represents, and defends the DNR across a wide range of matters, including: land acquisition for conservation and recreation, management of state forests, parks, and wildlife, regulation of commercial and recreational fishing and hunting, oversight of aquaculture and endangered species protection, vessel licensing and excise tax collection, enforcement of environmental and natural resource laws by the Department through the Natural Resources Police, and legal support and advice to affiliated entities such as the Maryland Environmental Trust, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and the Critical Area Commission. In addition to this vacant position, the unit is comprised of 13 Assistant Attorneys General including the Principal Counsel, Deputy Principal Counsel, Supervising Senior Attorney for Real Estate and Transactions, and an Office Manager. POSITION DUTIES This position assists the Assistant Attorneys General with all aspects of litigation, real estate and transaction matters. The incumbent will also provide general administrative support to the unit, schedule and prepare for hearings and meetings, distribute and track mail, maintain paper and electronic files, and oversee the technological needs of the Office. Litigation-related Tasks Include, But Are Not Limited To Drafting correspondence and documents for discovery Research, drafting assistance and formatting for memoranda of law and appellate briefs Keeping all litigation paper and electronic files current Organizing exhibits; and Assisting attorneys during litigation proceedings Real estate and transaction-related tasks include, but are not limited to: Legal research and title research Document preparation and/or review. Minimum Qualifications Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of 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: 1. Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience. Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school may be substituted for the required experience. Additional years of experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education. 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. Desired Or Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with MDEC, PACER, litigation procedures, court rules, filing requirements, and document management practices Knowledge of real estate transactional procedures. Proficiency in legal research with online research platforms (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis, or similar). Experience drafting, reviewing, and formatting legal documents, including discovery materials, memoranda of law, appellate briefs, and correspondence. 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. SELECTION PROCESS Applicants who meet all the minimum and preferred qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements and preferred qualifications of the position. Applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incorrect/incomplete application forms will not be accepted. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application to include all related education, experience, and employment dates. Please answer supplemental questions with complete answers. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list for at least one year. Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies. Benefits STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS The successful candidate will be eligible for subsidized health benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage) and life insurance; leave, including annual (vacation), personal, sick, and paid parental leave; and will be eligible for participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after ten years. State employees are eligible to participate in two supplemental retirement plans: the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. The State also offers a free mass transit benefit for local bus and express bus services. FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS Online applications are STRONGLY preferred. Please upload a resume in addition to the on-line application. If the online application process is not available, please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire to View email address on click.appcast.io. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. If you have specific questions about recruitment, email View email address on click.appcast.io The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category prohibited by local, State or federal laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr