What are the responsibilities and job description for the Children's Court Paralegal (CYFD/PSD Legal #10111583) position at State of New Mexico?
Posting Details
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service, and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
Why does the job exist?
The Children's Court Paralegal position exists to provide support and assistance to the Children's Court Attorneys through performing substantive and procedural legal work as authorized by law.
How does it get done?
Drafting legal documents and pleadings, including orders, motions, responses to motions, subpoenas, trial briefs, witness lists and documents for cases involving the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, in complex and difficult child abuse and neglect cases that are governed by strict state statutory and federal regulatory guidelines and that involve parents who have constitutionally-protected rights;
Contributing to trial preparation in complex and difficult child abuse and neglect cases, including interviewing program staff and witnesses, handling disclosures, including obtaining reports and medical and school records;
Preparing and organizing documents and exhibits for hearings and trials in child abuse and neglect cases that must meet strict state statutory and federal regulatory guidelines;
Overseeing the maintenance of files, including maintaining case-tracking forms, for child welfare agency attorneys handling a high volume and fast-paced caseload;
Establishing workflow and reporting processes;
Conducting legal research, including case law, statutes, and policies and procedures and recommending courses of action;
Participating in internal and external meetings on complex and difficult child abuse and neglect cases;
Filing Documents in District Court;
Ensuring the regional agency staff are informed of changes in agency policies and procedures; and
Attending trainings on substantive child welfare issues.
Minimum Qualification
Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies and two (2) years of work experience drafting and preparing legal correspondence, conducting legal research, and maintaining a case management/tracking system. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer
and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Michelle Pickett, Michelle.Pickett@cyfd.nm.gov, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service, and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.
- APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE OR A RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. IF ATTACHING A RESUME, RESUME MUST INCLUDE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB (MONTH and YEAR) AND DETAILS OF WORK EXPERIENCE/JOB DUTIES*
Why does the job exist?
The Children's Court Paralegal position exists to provide support and assistance to the Children's Court Attorneys through performing substantive and procedural legal work as authorized by law.
How does it get done?
Drafting legal documents and pleadings, including orders, motions, responses to motions, subpoenas, trial briefs, witness lists and documents for cases involving the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, in complex and difficult child abuse and neglect cases that are governed by strict state statutory and federal regulatory guidelines and that involve parents who have constitutionally-protected rights;
Contributing to trial preparation in complex and difficult child abuse and neglect cases, including interviewing program staff and witnesses, handling disclosures, including obtaining reports and medical and school records;
Preparing and organizing documents and exhibits for hearings and trials in child abuse and neglect cases that must meet strict state statutory and federal regulatory guidelines;
Overseeing the maintenance of files, including maintaining case-tracking forms, for child welfare agency attorneys handling a high volume and fast-paced caseload;
Establishing workflow and reporting processes;
Conducting legal research, including case law, statutes, and policies and procedures and recommending courses of action;
Participating in internal and external meetings on complex and difficult child abuse and neglect cases;
Filing Documents in District Court;
Ensuring the regional agency staff are informed of changes in agency policies and procedures; and
Attending trainings on substantive child welfare issues.
Minimum Qualification
Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies and two (2) years of work experience drafting and preparing legal correspondence, conducting legal research, and maintaining a case management/tracking system. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer
and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Michelle Pickett, Michelle.Pickett@cyfd.nm.gov, Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.