Legal Assistant - Natural Resources

The Office of the Utah Attorney General has an opening for a Legal Assistant in the Natural Resources Division. This is an entry-level position and may be underfilled as necessary. The selected applicant will work with attorneys who primarily represent the Department of Natural Resources and its divisions, Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, Department of Agriculture and Food, Colorado River Authority of Utah, and Utah Lake Authority by performing paralegal and some legal assistant tasks with constant review and supervision by an attorney.

Experience in a natural resource-related field is preferred. In accordance with the ABA Rules of Professional Conduct, Legal Assistants perform minor legal tasks that would otherwise be performed by an attorney.

This position can be filled at any of the following levels: 

• Legal Assistant 1 (0-2 years)
• Legal Assistant II (3-4 years)
• Legal Assistant III (5+ years)

• Gathers, prepares, compiles, and tracks procedural filings.
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
• Creates and maintains case files through Legal Files case management software.
• Searches, retrieves and/or researches public and private records in accordance with applicable state and federal laws governing access to these records.
• Participates in legal research and helps draft memoranda of legal research results.
• Conducts factual research and compiles information obtained from investigations under direction of attorney or other legal assistant staff.
• Tracks and calendars deadlines and other important dates.
• Assists with discovery, including document procurement, management, and disclosure, and drafts discovery documents such as interrogatories, requests for admissions, requests for production of documents, etc.
• Assists in case preparations, including gathering evidence and preparing displays for formal and informal administrative hearings and/or trials; and assisting attorneys in locating, obtaining, tracking, and disseminating information and evidence.

(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

• court/hearing, rules, records, procedures and protocol
• deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
• perform legal research using Westlaw for case law, statute, government regulations, executive orders, and legislative history
• demonstrate eagerness to learn skills and take on additional assignments while allocating time appropriately
• positive and hands-on ability to anticipate needed tasks and act accordingly; emotional maturity and flexibility
• understand basic legal terminology
• monitor or track information or data
• oral and written communication skills are clear and effective
• strong organizational skills
• proficiency in Adobe Acrobat DC and Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

• Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies (successful completion of a program from an accredited institution consisting of 60 semester hours, or equivalent quarter hours, with 15 hours of substantive legal courses); or Bachelor’s Degree in a related field; or national certification from NALA, NFPA, or NALS.
• Additional tasks and duties include covering phones in the receptionist’s absence, coordinating with other support staff members, and assisting non-adjudication attorneys
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• Requires compliance with the ABA Legal Assistant code of ethics.
• Security background checks are completed as a condition of employment.