Paralegal I & II
Location: Montgomery County
Recruitment Number: 24-000885-0001
Salary: $39,421 - $70,751
As a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status or genetic information.
All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship. Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, 410-767-8503 tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov
The Office of the Public Defender is seeking detail oriented applicants with legal research skills, exceptional organizational, critical thinking and problem solving skills highly proficient in computer based data collection including remote filing in Maryland’s electronic court system and organizing and updating the confidential Public Defender electronic filing system on individual clients, as well as working with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
We are also looking for an applicant with outstanding communication skills, ability to deal with clients of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing mental health issues, who are in crisis and may suffer from disabilities. This position will involve client contact and contact with witnesses, court employees and attorneys, often under time pressure. This position is a full-time Paralegal I/II position in the Parental Defense Division, with offices based in Montgomery County, serving Montgomery, Frederick, Carroll and Washington county clients whose children are removed by the government, and have a Constitutional right to counsel because they are the child(ren)s legal or biological parents.
The Paralegal I/II will provide assistance to Assistant Public Defenders by performing legal research, conducting investigations, meeting with clients and witnesses under pressure, obtaining documents through the MPIA or legal discovery process, preparing files on cases, drafting legal documents, filing documents in court, assisting with pre-hearing preparation, reviewing court, police and trial files, and preparing correspondence. This position involves significant client contact with clients who have experienced and are experiencing trauma, indigent defendants and their families in office, court, detention centers and/or state prison settings. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Knowledge of and interest in trauma-informed service for clients is a plus.
