Paralegal 1|2 Flex Apply
This position is open to Alaska Residents only.
Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.
Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.
This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidates credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.
This position will be filled at either the 1 or 2 level depending on the applicant's qualifications and job experience. It is recommended that you apply for all levels if you are qualified.
What You Will Be Doing:
This position works in the Public Defender Agencys Fairbanks office and is responsible for providing litigation assistance to attorneys representing clients in criminal, civil, child in need of aid, and commitment cases. This position is also responsible for assisting attorneys in organizing and managing cases, providing direct client assistance, and utilizing the internal case management system to draft letters and pleadings among other duties.
Our Organization, Mission, and Culture:
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in many types of cases and the Public Defender Agency is appointed by the Court to represent people who are unable to afford counsel on their own. Paralegals are an integral part of providing that representation and protecting our clients' rights. Paralegals work closely with attorneys and other Agency staff to acquire complete records and transcripts, provide high-level assistance on litigation preparation, and communicate with clients frequently in writing and over the phone. This position is essential to the success of this section by providing advanced administrative and legal support.
The Benefits of Joining Our Team:
Support staff at the Public Defender Agency have the opportunity to learn about the legal system and hone their administrative skills to further their career development in the legal field. Most importantly, they get to do this while working as a team to provide meaningful contributions to Alaska, as the work we do impacts peoples lives and protects the constitutional rights of all Alaskans. This important work helps improve case outcomes for individuals charged with crimes, helps re-unify families, and provides the foundation for successful re-entry into communities. Many paralegals use the skills and experience they gain to transition to investigative and administrative management positions within the Agency, the State of Alaska, or the private sector.
Your first 12 months in the Agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal and on-the-job training with your supervisor and your colleagues.
The Working Environment You Can Expect:
The office is located in Fairbanks. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM 4:30 PM with an hour lunch at noon. The position interacts works closely with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and law office assistants in the Fairbanks office and communicates regularly with co-workers across the state, clients of the Agency, and court system staff.
Who We Are Looking For:
To be successful in the position, the ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience:
- Technological Competency: Competency with standard office equipment is expected and computer literacy and fluency with Microsoft Office is essential to handling the large volume of digital documents and evidence in cases and utilizing the digital case management system.
- Effective Communicator: Clear and professional oral and written communication is essential to anyone working in the legal field.
- Prioritization: The ability to handle shifting priorities in high-pressure situations will enable success in the position.
- Ability to Maintain Confidentiality: Strict confidentiality is required due to the nature of the work performed.
- Independent Worker: Taking initiative, exercising sound judgment, and following directions is critical in our offices.
Valid Alaska Driver`s License desired.
The Public Defender Agencys user authorization with the Department of Public Safety for allowing some employees access to the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) requires that this position is able to pass a criminal background investigation per 13 AAC 68.215.
Minimum Qualifications
PI01B1 Paralegal 1
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:
- Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
- Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
- Reading: Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.
- Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Post-secondary and/or vocational education in a legal or legal support area and/or experience preparing, reviewing, or processing legal documents such as affidavits, court reports, demand letters, discovery requests or responses, hearing transcripts, memoranda of advice/instruction/understanding, letters of agreement, motions, legal opinions, subpoenas, and/or writs.
PI01B2 Paralegal 2
Successful completion of training under a formally established Paralegal 1-2 flexible staffing training plan with the State of Alaska;
OR
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:
- Adaptability: adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
- Administrative Law: Knowledge of State and federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.
- Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
- Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
- Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).
Equivalent to those typically gained by:
Post-secondary and/or vocational education in a legal, paralegal, criminal justice, or similar legal support area and/or experience performing paraprofessional legal investigation, discovery, and providing support in the preparation of legal cases, reports, documents, and exhibits.
Special Note (All Levels):
Positions may require incumbents to be able to obtain a Notary Public upon hire, and to be able to pass a criminal background check to meet security requirements for using criminal record networks such as Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and National Crime Enforcement Information Center/National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NCIC/NLETS). If this requirement is present, it will be stated in the vacancy announcement.
Some positions are required to work regular overtime during the standard workweek, on weekends, and/or holidays to provide support to the assigned duty attorney. If this requirement is present, it will be stated in the vacancy announcement.
Competencies means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation.
Paraprofessional work is typically associated with and supportive of a professional field. It involves extensive practical knowledge gained through experience and/or specific formal or on-the-job training. Work in these occupations may involve substantial elements of the work of the professional or administrative field, but requires less than full knowledge of the field involved.
Progressively responsible means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.
Technical means performing tasks, methods, procedures, and computations that are covered by established precedents or guidelines and often require a high degree of skill, care, and precision.
Training and education in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.
Typically gained by means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.
Additional Required Information
At time of interview, please provide the following:
- Copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are okay, please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcript) if using to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
- Three (3) professional references, two (2) who have had supervisory experience over you, including current email and/or daytime phone number
Please be aware this position requires the use of the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN). A security clearance issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is necessary to use APSIN. DPS will deny security clearance for any applicant who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in this state or another jurisdiction, or who may be a fugitive from justice. Additionally, security clearance will be withdrawn if DPS discovers that material information was falsified or omitted at the time of the initial application for security clearance.
Please read the below information carefully. This applies to your application submission.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS:
For your application to be evaluated you must answer the Supplemental Questions. Be specific in your answers and tell us how you acquired the relevant experience. Please use complete sentences and proof-read your submissions when answering the supplemental questions. Your responses will be considered a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process.
EDUCATION:
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or within 48 hours of the close of this recruitment to the contact person listed below.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION:
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employers name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.
NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"see resume or CV\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
SCOPE:
This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify. http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/serviceCenters/alaskaRes/
APPLICATION NOTICE:
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to successfully apply. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"How to Apply\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" webpage, found here: http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/help/
MULTIPLE VACANCIES:
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.
EEO STATEMENT:
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
NOTICE:
If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the govermentjobs.com domains. For information on allowing emails from the governmentjobs.com domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.
WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE:
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.
For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword
Contact Information
For specific information in reference to the position, please contact the hiring manager:
Rhonda Thayer, Administrative Officer 1
Phone: 907-334-4400
rhonda.thayer@alaska.gov
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)
Insurance Benefits
- Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://doa.alaska.gov/drb/programs/index.html for additional information.
- AVTEC
- Confidential
- Correctional Officers
- Marine Engineers
- Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
- Supervisory
- Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
- Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
- General Government
- Labor, Trades and Crafts
- Public Safety Employees Association
- Masters, Mates & Pilots
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://doa.alaska.gov/drb/programs/index.html for additional information.
- Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance Benefits
- Group-based insurance premiums for
- Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
- Long-term and short-term disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
- Supplemental Survivor Benefits
- Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Retirement Benefits
- Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
- Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
- Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
- Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
- Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
- Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
See https://doa.alaska.gov/drb/retirement/index.html for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits - Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
- Eleven paid holidays a year
yes
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