Paralegal (Non-Merit) - Department of Corrections

This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly.

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Department of Corrections.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work
experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and
reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered.

You MUST attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of License(s), Certification(s) and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of license(s), certification(s), and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties

This position is responsible for providing administrative and legal support services within the Baltimore County Department of Corrections.

• Provides legal assistance and technical work requiring specialized knowledge of processes and procedures, and practices in connection with inmate rights under the law.
• Performs work involving the form, content, and processing of legal documents and the procedures in storing and retrieving case information.
• Provides trial and deposition support, including the organizing and creation of exhibits.
• Performs detailed legal research, including legislative history.
• Conducts factual research related to public service organizations, detention center and grievances.
• Verifies citations and legal references.
• Formats, edits, and proofreads documents.
• Monitors the progress of pending cases and initiate action to ensure that legal preservation of evidence requests, forms, reports, correspondence, and other documents are prepared.
• Performs administrative duties supporting attorneys and auditors by maintaining and organizing multiple case-management systems.
• Receives, processes and tracks Maryland Public Information Act requests addressed to the Department of Corrections, including, but not limited to collecting, compiling and reviewing requested records, and responding to record requestors.
• Attends and compiles summary minutes of monthly Incarcerated Individual Meetings, circulates copies of the summary minutes to department staff and certain vendor staff.

• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

• Sound working knowledge of federal and state court system, legal research procedures, and legal research resources.
• Strong understanding of a variety of computer applications, including word processing, databases (such as document review and file management systems), spreadsheets, and imaging.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate and work as part of a team.
• Ability to manage complex relationships with all stakeholders.

Qualifications

Paralegal certificate.

Plus

Excellent written and oral communication skills including, but not limited to, Power Point presentation generation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Federal and State litigation and experience.
• General knowledge of e-discovery procedures and resources.
• Experience with Incarcerated Individuals’ grievances and Maryland Public Information Act records requests.
• Hands-on experience or training with ESI tools and general knowledge of e-discovery procedures and resources.

Conditions of Employment

Physical and Environmental Conditions
The work of this classification is essentially sedentary.

Character Requirement
All applicants must be of good moral character and emotionally stable, as determined by a comprehensive background investigation and drug test.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.

Employment Benefits for Non-Merit or Non-Classified, Part-Time Employees

Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.

Smoke free workplace
All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.

Drug free workplace
Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.

Employee Assistance Program
Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.

Health Insurance
In order to qualify for health insurance benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance), part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:

Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.

Life Insurance
In order to qualify for life insurance benefits, part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.

Retirement
Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.

Paid Leave
Sick Leave - Monthly sick leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. No maximum on accrual. Accrued balance can be applied toward service credit at retirement.

Vacation Leave - Monthly vacation leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. Earnings increase after five, ten and fifteen years of service generally.

Holidays - Part-time 30 to 39 hour non-merit or non-classified employees will generally be paid for ten holidays per calendar year. Other part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees working 29 hours per week or less will receive two paid holidays per calendar year. These holidays are the Christmas holiday and the Independence Day holiday.

Bereavement Leave
Jury Leave
Military Leave

Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union
Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.

Direct Deposit
Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.

Deferred Compensation
Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.