Introduction
When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults.
We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.
GRADE ASTD12
LOCATION OF POSITION Cecil County Department of Social Services
Services Unit 1/Services Division
170 East Main Street
Elkton, MD 21921
Main Purpose of Job The main purpose of the job is to perform legal administrative support and paralegal duties for the Cecil County Department of Social Services, and more specifically for the Social Services Attorneys (“Attorneys”) appointed by the Attorney General to represent the Cecil County Department of Social Services (“CCDSS”) in Child in Need of Assistance (“CINA”) and Termination of Parental Rights (“TPR”) proceedings, as well as in Adult Protective Services and Adult Guardianship matters, and related responsibilities. This will include but not be limited to preparing initial drafts of various petitions, proposed orders and other legal papers relevant to the proceedings, serving as a liaison between the Attorneys and other participants in the proceedings, maintaining the CINA and other calendars, and coordinating with others to ensure proper distribution and/or publication of petitions, notices, and other legal documents. The employee will exercise certain independent responsibility, analyze information, and make recommendations to the Attorneys; undertake case organization and file management; maintain and update reference materials; create and maintain database of information through investigation and/or discovery, perform legal research; and assist the Attorneys with legal assignments, thereby enabling the Attorneys to provide advice and legal counsel to CCDSS.
POSITION DUTIES Investigations: - As necessary, perform investigation and review of information to obtain necessary documentation and summarize information for use in pending matters and make recommendation on releasing information according to statue or regulations to protect confidentiality.
Legal Research:
- Perform legal research as directed by the Attorneys.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Three years of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary performing legal research or preparing legal documents on behalf of an attorney.
Notes:
1. Thirty credit hours or a certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.
2. Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school may be substituted for the required experience.
3. Additional years of experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in paralegal specialist classifications or paralegal specialist specialty codes in the legal and kindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.
One year of experience using Odyssey File and Serve to file pleadings electronically.
One year of experience using Tyler Smart System to digitize copies of court files.
One year of Paralegal experience.
LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION Must be willing to work in Cecil County.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
If you are in State service and are a promotional candidate, your salary will be determined in accordance with State of Maryland guidelines.
EXAMINATION PROCESS The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.
BENEFITS As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS • Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.
• Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplement questionnaire to: Attention: Cynthia McMillian, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 25 S. Charles Street, Room 1116-F, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Or email cynthia.mcmillian@maryland.gov.; voice 410-767-7199.
All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please email requested information only to cynthia.mcmillian@maryland.gov. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.
If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
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