Paralegal

Date Posted: Dec 20, 2024

Requisition ID: 453627

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.

About the Indiana Office of Administrative Law Proceedings (OALP):

The Indiana Office of Administrative Law Proceedings (OALP) was established as a new state agency in 2020 to provide a central and independent hearings process for administrative cases with different Indiana State agencies. OALP has a staff of administrative law judges (ALJs) who hear disputes between certain state agencies and persons aggrieved by that agency’s action, as well as a team of Legal Assistants (LAs) who assist our ALJs with case management and data. Some of the state agencies for which OALP hears cases include the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), the Department of Child Services (DCS), and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). A full list of agencies can be found at https://www.in.gov/oalp/oalp-resources/oalp-jurisdiction/. The mission of OALP is to provide efficient, effective, and impartial adjudicatory processes for Indiana’s citizens and agencies.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Researches and analyzes statues, regulations, legal articles, judicial decisions, and other legal sources; provides written analysis to attorneys.

• Drafts correspondence and legal documents including routine pleadings and motions, affidavits, and interrogatories; file motions and pleadings according to judicial procedures.

• Calls clients, witnesses, lawyers, and outside vendors to schedule interviews, meetings, and depositions. This may also include interviewing clients and witnesses and prepare summaries of their statements.

• Assist attorneys with trial preparation, which may include attending trials and hearings, handling exhibits, taking notes, or reviewing trial transcripts.

• Prepares, organizes, stores, and retrieves case files, which may include evidence, exhibits, depositions, pleadings, and other items.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

What You'll Need for Success:

The ideal candidate in this role should have one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate credit in law or paralegal studies from an institutionally accredited paralegal program

• Bachelor’s degree and a Paralegal certificate from an institutionally accredited paralegal program

• Bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited program plus at least 2 years of paralegal experience

• Associate’s degree in paralegal studies with a paralegal certification and 2 years of legal experience

• Certification in paralegal studies from an institutionally accredited paralegal program plus at least 2 years of paralegal experience

• Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) (as offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations) and is in good standing

• Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE) (as offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations) and is in good standing

• Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) certification (as offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants) and is in good standing

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:

• Knowledge of legal procedures and terminology

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Strong investigative and research skills

• Proficient computer skills required, including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, case management and legal data base tools.

• Ability to work with sensitive documents and information, and be privy to sensitive agency information without divulging information to internal or external parties

• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage time to meet deadlines

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to provide effective and professional customer service to internal and external parties.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities

• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match

• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

• 150 hours of paid new parent leave

• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

• Education Reimbursement Program

• Group life insurance

• Referral Bonus program

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Free Parking for most positions

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

  Equal Employment Opportunity:

  The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.

  If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.

  The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.

  Current Employee? Click here (https://performancemanager8.successfactors.com/sf/careers/jobsearch?bplte_company=indianaoff) to apply.