The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Office of Legal Affairs.
This position provides paralegal assistance to a team of approximately 19 attorneys and Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) management team. The position researches information and coordinates legal processes, and prepares correspondence, pleadings, motions, briefs and other legal documents for attorney review.
Why Join DPHHS
Our mission at DPHHS is to serve Montanans in their communities to improve and protect the health, safety, and well-being, and to empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents.
The State of Montana's comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In addition, DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.
Qualifications for this Career Opportunity
- Ability to conduct research and investigate facts.
- Ability to navigate State and Federal court systems.
- Verbal and written communication skills including proper legal citations and legal terminology.
- Acute attention to detail, time management, and organizational skills.
- Meet minimum qualifications:
- Associates degree in paralegal studies from an accredited institution or
- Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university; or
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university and completion of no less than 18 semester credits of course work offered by a qualified paralegal studies program; or
- Certification by the national association of legal assistants or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations; or
- Has received a high school diploma or its equivalent and has performed not less than 4,800 hours of substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed lawyer documented by the certification of the lawyer or lawyers under whom the work was done and has completed at least five hours of approved continuing legal education in the area of legal ethics and professional responsibility; or
- Has graduated from an accredited law school and has not been disbarred or suspended from the practice of law by any jurisdiction.
- Paralegal 2 must also have an additional three years substantiative work as a paralegal.
How to Apply
To be considered for a DPHHS position, submit the following required documents with your application on the State of Montana Careers website. When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploaded correctly to your application for this position.
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- References
Successful applicants will be subject to background checks relevant to the position and must pass reference checks before an offer will be extended. DPHHS is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a copy of the full job description or if you need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, contact DPHHS Human Resources listed below.
Additional Information
This position may be eligible for partial telework within the state of Montana. Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy.