LEGAL ASSISTANT PROJECT SPECIALIST

ATTORNEY GENERAL (DEPT OF LAW)

Address: 4211 S Santa Rita Avenue, Tucson, AZ

Salary: $49,500 - $59,500

Grade: 20

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Child and Family Protection Division/Protective Services Section is seeking a Legal Assistant Project Specialist (Paralegal Supervisor) to provide training, guidance and leadership to unit Paralegal III's (LAIII); oversee the duties and job functions of the assigned paralegals, ensuring timely filed and prepared documents; provide coverage by managing the case load and distribution of tasks when a position is vacant or a staff member is out of the office on leave. This position will work closely with the assistant attorneys general (AAG) maintaining a cohesive working relationship between the support staff and the AAGs and will report directly to the Unit Office Administrator (OA).

Remote Options: This position may be eligible for Remote Work two days a week.

The incumbent of this position will provide support for one or more AAGs including; performing legal research, gathering evidence for trials; drafting and preparing legal pleadings, briefs, opinions, and legislation necessary for the processing of dependency/severance cases referred by the client. The paralegals answer inquiries clients, court personnel, and others regarding case activity and status using automated case management systems to maintain and track ca se records and activity. Comply with all laws rules and office policies and procedures. This position will approve timesheets and leave requests. This position will perform supervisory functions under the direction of the Unit OA and Section OA. Duties involve reviewing, creating, and processing materials and information that are confidential by federal and state laws and additional tasks as assigned by supervising personnel.

Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of applicable statutes, rules and regulations of state and federal courts.
• Knowledge of legal research techniques, terminology, forms, court procedures and applicable time frames in general.
• Extensive knowledge of Juvenile Court Rules of dependency, severance, and guardianship practice. The principles, concepts, practices, methods and techniques common to a modern law office.
• Regular attendance is required.

Skill

• Skills in written and oral communication.
• Skills in dealing with the public.
• Skills in coordinating legal requests, inquiries and responses expeditiously.
• Skills in conduction and controlling interviews with witnesses and parties involved in legal actions.

Ability

• Ability to appropriately incorporate all current state laws, rules, regulations and agency and in-office procedures as well as rules of court.
• Ability to analyze situations and use good judgment in making decisions.
• Ability to independently identify issues and prepare concise analysis of case files and legal documentation, incorporating all facts obtained in a thorough, orderly and concise manner.
• Ability to prepare legal pleadings, memoranda and correspondence.
• Ability to interact with and obtain information from witnesses, litigants, court officials and representatives of state agencies.
  

The ideal candidate will have leadership experience, a paralegal certification through an institutionally accredited program and two years of full-time employment as a paralegal.

• Travel may be required for this position. A valid Arizona Driver’s License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.
• All applicants under serious consideration for hire with the Attorney General's Office are required to be fingerprinted by the Office and complete a criminal background check through State and Federal agencies. A job offer cannot be tendered until the candidate has successfully passed the initial background check. Your record does not automatically constitute a bar to employment. Factors such as, but not limited to, age at time of offense and age of offense, as well as the relationship between the offense and the job for which you apply will be taken into account.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Attorney General's Office offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Student Loan Assistance
Sick leave
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at (602) 542-8056 or email us at humanresources@azag.gov.

During all phases of the selection process, people with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the AG’s Human Resources Office at (602) 542-8056 or via e-mail at HumanResources@azag.gov. The Arizona Office of the Attorney General does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age in its programs, activities or in its hiring and employment practices. The following division has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Operations Division, 2005 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004, Phone: (602) 542-8056, Fax: (602) 542-8000.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.