Paralegal jobs at Alaska State Library - 2 jobs

This recruitment is exempt from the Hiring Freeze (Administrative Order 358). What You Will Be Doing This paralegal position will be primarily assigned to the Special Litigation Section of the Attorney General's office. The Special Litigation Section, which includes the Consumer Protection/Antitrust unit, was created to develop litigation expertise in the Civil Division of the Department of Law and to employ that expertise-in collaboration with subject matter sections-to handle high-profile, expedited, or complicated litigation. The section also protects the public by enforcing the state's consumer protection and antitrust laws. Membership in this section provides paralegals with the opportunity to develop diverse legal skills as they assist their attorneys with civil litigation. You will provide direct support to attorneys as they prepare cases for trial including but not limited to discovery management, witness coordination, factual, historical, legal, and legislative research, and preparing draft legal pleadings and documents. While this position is primarily assigned to the Special Litigation section, this position can also support litigation attorneys in other sections and assist with document review in response to public records requests. Mission and Culture The Civil Division of the Department of Law provides legal counsel to the executive branch in all civil actions. The division defends and prosecutes civil litigation to which the state is a party; handles legal matters for and provides legal advice to the governor, executive branch agencies, and - upon request - the legislative and judicial branches; reviews regulations prepared by executive agencies, drafts legislation for introduction by the governor; and reviews all legislation before it is acted upon by the governor. Benefits of Joining Our Team Our paralegals are an integral part of our legal practice. They assist attorneys on all litigation, research, and administrative tasks. We offer opportunities to learn about the legal system, engage with the court, and prepare for hearings and trials. People who succeed and thrive in our office are those who can be reliable, proactive and present each day to work alongside their assigned attorneys tackling their various deadlines and legal issues. You can expect a 37.5-hour work week; 11 paid holidays; personal leave accrual starting at 6 hours per pay period (about 21 days annually) and increasing with years of service. Our office also offers an optional hybrid telework schedule following completion of the probationary period. The general office hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm but there is flexibility in establishing your regular hours around core business hours. The Working Environment You Can Expect Our offices in Anchorage and Juneau are all multi-floor office buildings located in the heart of downtown, giving you access to a wide variety of lunch and coffee spots. You can also expect a private office with this position. Who We Are Looking For To be successful in this position a candidate will need the following core competencies: * Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic goals and displays a high level of initiative and effort. The ability to problem-solve, prioritize, and adjust to changing workplace dynamics to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines in an environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities. Proven ability to work independently. * Adaptability: adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment. * Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. * Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, politeness to others. * Leadership: Effectively delegates tasks; tactfully acts as project manager or committee leader; oversees team deadlines/checkpoints; demonstrates considerate decision-making; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed. * Legal experience: Experience in working within the civil litigation practice including working knowledge of applicable court rules or rules of civil procedure. * Proficiency using the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams) and Adobe. The incumbent must be willing and able to maintain the strictest of confidences with the information they will be exposed to and have access to confidential databases Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class. Minimum Qualifications Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class. Competency Description The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency's description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation. PI01B1 - Paralegal 1 Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in: * Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. * Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. * Reading: Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations. * Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Equivalent to those typically gained by: Post-secondary and/or vocational education in a legal or legal support area and/or experience preparing, reviewing, or processing legal documents such as affidavits, court reports, demand letters, discovery requests or responses, hearing transcripts, memoranda of advice/instruction/understanding, letters of agreement, motions, legal opinions, subpoenas, and/or writs. PI01B2 - Paralegal 2 Successful completion of training under a formally established Paralegal 1-2 flexible staffing training plan with the State of Alaska; OR Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in: * Adaptability: adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment. * Administrative Law: Knowledge of State and federal administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements. * Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. * Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. * Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations). Equivalent to those typically gained by: Post-secondary and/or vocational education in a legal, paralegal, criminal justice, or similar legal support area and/or experience performing paraprofessional legal investigation, discovery, and providing support in the preparation of legal cases, reports, documents, and exhibits. Special Note (All Levels): Positions may require incumbents to be able to obtain a Notary Public upon hire, and to be able to pass a criminal background check to meet security requirements for using criminal record networks such as Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and National Crime Enforcement Information Center/National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NCIC/NLETS). If this requirement is present, it will be stated in the vacancy announcement. Some positions are required to work regular overtime during the standard workweek, on weekends, and/or holidays to provide support to the assigned duty attorney. If this requirement is present, it will be stated in the vacancy announcement. "Competencies" means a combination of interrelated knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation. "Paraprofessional" work is typically associated with and supportive of a professional field. It involves extensive practical knowledge gained through experience and/or specific formal or on-the-job training. Work in these occupations may involve substantial elements of the work of the professional or administrative field, but requires less than full knowledge of the field involved. "Progressively responsible" means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility. "Technical" means performing tasks, methods, procedures, and computations that are covered by established precedents or guidelines and often require a high degree of skill, care, and precision. "Training" and "education" in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs. "Typically gained by" means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job. Additional Required Information THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements to be considered for employment at this time. If selected for an interview, the applicant must provide the following: * Last two (2) Performance Evaluations * A writing sample that is less than 5 pages on any topic. This should be a technical or professional writing sample - not a personal statement or contain personal information. Your writing sample should showcase your grammar, clarity, and ability to communicate a topic or point. Application Notice You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via a hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal, such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to apply successfully. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" page. Your application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on the closing date. Education If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of the interview. Special Instructions for Foreign Education Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Work Experience If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer's name, job title, employment dates, and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and if minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the recruitment interview and selection phase. Note: Attaching a resume is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting, "see resume" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting. Bargaining Unit If you are a current state employee, please mark the union you are a member of at the time of application. If you are not a current state employee, do not complete this question. Flexible Staffing This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate's credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work. Multiple Vacancies This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies. EEO Statement The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call ************** or 465-4095 in Juneau or ************** (TTY) or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P. O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal-opportunity employer. Contact Information Workplace Alaska Application Questions & Assistance Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at ************** (toll-free) or ************** if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to *******************************. For applicant password assistance, please visit the reset password page. For specific information about this position, please contact the hiring manager at the following: Kamie Willis Paralegal Specialist 2 Phone: ************ *********************** Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work. For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.) Insurance Benefits * Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental * The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See ************************************** for additional information. * AVTEC * Confidential * Correctional Officers * Marine Engineers * Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers * Supervisory * Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union * Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining) * The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information. * General Government * Labor, Trades and Crafts * Public Safety Employees Association * Masters, Mates & Pilots * Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit) Optional Insurance Benefits * Group-based insurance premiums for * Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents) * Long-term and short-term disability * Accidental Death and Dismemberment * Long-term care (self and eligible family members) * Supplemental Survivor Benefits * Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses Retirement Benefits * Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) * Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees) * Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees) * Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security * Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program * Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options See ******************************* for additional information Paid Leave & Other Benefits * Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served * Twelve (12) paid holidays a year Employer State of Alaska Address PO Box 110201 Juneau, Alaska, 99811 Phone ************** (Statewide toll-free number) ************** (Juneau and out-of-state callers) Website ****************************