State of Massachusetts
Paralegal Specialist
State of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
State of Massachusetts Paralegal Specialist Boston, Massachusetts Apply Now
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is the second largest agency under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The Office of the General Counsel is searching for a Paralegal Specialist who has exceptional attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills. Supporting the work of the Department’s Office of the General Counsel, the Paralegal Specialist will support Central Office attorneys with labor and employment matters, draft legal pleadings and correspondence, investigative reports, and affidavits, maintain and prepare forms and reports, respond to discovery, review legislation, and exercise critical thinking skills to make well-reasoned and logical judgments.Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):Maintain organized filing and electronic tracking systems, including administrative appeals, litigation, subpoenas, etc.; ensure information is current, complete, and materials are organized to ensure prompt access by attorneys and staff.Review, follow, track, and provide updates on public policy legislation.Review and screen new filings, open case files, and docket materials.Produce regular status reports on data maintained by the Office of the General Counsel.Prepare notices and draft correspondence and memoranda in accordance with standard legal office practices.Complete litigation-related assignments, including docketing, organizing case files and exhibits, drafting correspondence, copying, mailing, etc.Organize and prepare documents to respond to subpoenas and public records, documents, discovery requests, etc.Draft correspondence, reports, and memoranda in accordance with standard business practice.Assist in the investigation of employment complaints against the Department by interviewing persons, reviewing records, and preparing reports for the General Counsel.Track and update investigation appeals and labor/employment litigation databases.File petitions and other pleadings with various courts and other agencies on behalf of DDS.Act as liaison with HRD on labor and employment matters.Demonstrate professionalism when communicating with other Department units, parties in litigation, other government agencies, claimants, attorneys, general public, etc.Provide concise and accurate oral and written briefings on assignments and cases.Respond to telephone calls and correspondence promptly and courteously.Utilize excellent interpersonal skills with colleagues and at meetings, in workgroups, or on committees.Required Qualifications:Minimum of two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work.Excellent ability utilizing Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams, Visio, and Word with the capacity to track changes, edit and create tables, headers/footers, etc.Proficiency with Excel (creating spreadsheets and reports; hyperlinking; data entry); and Adobe Pro (redaction, Bates stamping, etc.).Knowledge and ability to conduct legal research, analyze legal documents and prepare a written analysis of the material.Ability to gather information through observations and interrogation.Ability to act with discretion and sensitivity to handling confidential matters and exercise good judgment and professionalism in all work activities.Knowledge of and ability to follow standard legal/business office practices.Ability to draft correspondence, memoranda, and reports and complete legal forms, in accordance with standard legal office business practice.Preferred Qualifications:Working knowledge of the Department’s legal mandate, statutes and regulations, policies, and practices.Proficiency in utilizing Department information systems, including HCSIS and MEDITECH, and PACER; and state equivalent access to court records.Working knowledge and ability to complete assignments consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the Office of the General Counsel.MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.Substitutions:An Associate's or higher degree with a major in paralegal studies may be substituted for the required experience.Completion of one year of study at a recognized, degree-granting law school may be substituted for the required experience.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required.An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.
Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
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The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is the second largest agency under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The Office of the General Counsel is searching for a Paralegal Specialist who has exceptional attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills. Supporting the work of the Department’s Office of the General Counsel, the Paralegal Specialist will support Central Office attorneys with labor and employment matters, draft legal pleadings and correspondence, investigative reports, and affidavits, maintain and prepare forms and reports, respond to discovery, review legislation, and exercise critical thinking skills to make well-reasoned and logical judgments.Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):Maintain organized filing and electronic tracking systems, including administrative appeals, litigation, subpoenas, etc.; ensure information is current, complete, and materials are organized to ensure prompt access by attorneys and staff.Review, follow, track, and provide updates on public policy legislation.Review and screen new filings, open case files, and docket materials.Produce regular status reports on data maintained by the Office of the General Counsel.Prepare notices and draft correspondence and memoranda in accordance with standard legal office practices.Complete litigation-related assignments, including docketing, organizing case files and exhibits, drafting correspondence, copying, mailing, etc.Organize and prepare documents to respond to subpoenas and public records, documents, discovery requests, etc.Draft correspondence, reports, and memoranda in accordance with standard business practice.Assist in the investigation of employment complaints against the Department by interviewing persons, reviewing records, and preparing reports for the General Counsel.Track and update investigation appeals and labor/employment litigation databases.File petitions and other pleadings with various courts and other agencies on behalf of DDS.Act as liaison with HRD on labor and employment matters.Demonstrate professionalism when communicating with other Department units, parties in litigation, other government agencies, claimants, attorneys, general public, etc.Provide concise and accurate oral and written briefings on assignments and cases.Respond to telephone calls and correspondence promptly and courteously.Utilize excellent interpersonal skills with colleagues and at meetings, in workgroups, or on committees.Required Qualifications:Minimum of two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work.Excellent ability utilizing Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams, Visio, and Word with the capacity to track changes, edit and create tables, headers/footers, etc.Proficiency with Excel (creating spreadsheets and reports; hyperlinking; data entry); and Adobe Pro (redaction, Bates stamping, etc.).Knowledge and ability to conduct legal research, analyze legal documents and prepare a written analysis of the material.Ability to gather information through observations and interrogation.Ability to act with discretion and sensitivity to handling confidential matters and exercise good judgment and professionalism in all work activities.Knowledge of and ability to follow standard legal/business office practices.Ability to draft correspondence, memoranda, and reports and complete legal forms, in accordance with standard legal office business practice.Preferred Qualifications:Working knowledge of the Department’s legal mandate, statutes and regulations, policies, and practices.Proficiency in utilizing Department information systems, including HCSIS and MEDITECH, and PACER; and state equivalent access to court records.Working knowledge and ability to complete assignments consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the Office of the General Counsel.MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.Substitutions:An Associate's or higher degree with a major in paralegal studies may be substituted for the required experience.Completion of one year of study at a recognized, degree-granting law school may be substituted for the required experience.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required.An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.
Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
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