Paralegal

The DSS Paralegal is responsible for a variety of assignments which may include but not be limited to drafting, reviewing, and approving for form orders, subpoenas, and publications. Work involves research into laws and legal precedents. Employee may present findings with preliminary legal analysis subject to professional legal review.

Draft Orders:

Paralegal will draft non-appealable orders to include continuance orders, non-secure custody orders, Review Hearing orders, Permanency Planning Hearings, and Permanency Planning Review Orders. The paralegal will meet with the attorney to determine what orders she/he needs to draft from each court date and deadline for the draft. Paralegal will draft and send draft to attorney for approval. Paralegal will make requested changes and edits to all orders, print out orders, and submit for signature. Paralegal will track orders that have been sent for signature. Subpoenas for

Civil Cases:

Paralegal receives subpoena and sends attorney notice of subpoena. Paralegal pulls and redacts records Paralegal drafts written objection and Protective Order. Paralegal completes related administrative tasks including scanning a copy of redacted files into electronic storage and creating a civil file that has subpoena, written objection and order. Subpoenas for A/N/D Paralegal schedules adjudication meeting between workers/supervisors and attorneys. Paralegal takes the witnesses list and complete subpoenas, provides subpoenas to attorney for signature, and then sends out subpoenas by certified mail. Paralegal completes certificate of service and sends out copies of subpoenas to attorneys involved. Track that the meetings are completed, and witness lists are received. Publication of Unknown/Unnamed Father Paralegal prepares publication, then sends to the attorney for approval. Once approval is received, paralegal sends out publication and follows up to ensure the publication is completed. Once publication is completed, paralegal completes the affidavit of service by publication.

Manage Records and Files:

Maintain Child Protective Services or Adult Protective Services cases in which petitions have been filed. The worker organizes and files court orders and other items in the record. Provides support to the attorneys in the absence of the Legal Assistant to include court reports, certificates of service, service of orders and motions, scheduling of TPR non-compliance and other meetings, and notarizing and filing of documents. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential. The Paralegal must be available to ensure coordination and distribution of critical court documents necessary for child and adult welfare services are provided in a timely manner as required, and in accordance with, federal and state laws, directives, policy, and guidance. Work includes performing other related duties as assigned. Graduation from an accredited school for paralegal training and one year of experience as a paralegal, or graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in English, Journalism, or a degree directly related to the area assigned and one year of substantive paralegal experience; or graduation from high school and five years of paralegal experience performing delegated, substantive legal work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Minimum Education and Experience for a Trainee Appointment - Graduation from an accredited school for paralegal training; or graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in English, Journalism, or a degree directly related to the area assigned; or graduation from high school and four years of paralegal experience performing delegated, substantive legal work. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.