Paralegal 1, 2, or 3

RE-ADVERTISED

This is a sensitive government position.

The GBI will follow State Personnel Board Rules for current state employees.

 *************************************************************************

 Please review the GBI Employment Disqualifiers before applying for this position. Employment for the selected candidate(s) is contingent upon the successful completion of a GBI background investigation including criminal, credit and driver's history checks, polygraph examination, fingerprinting and drug screening.

 **************************************************************************

The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Mission of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is to provide the highest quality investigative, scientific, and information services and resources to the criminal justice community and others as authorized by law, for the purpose of maintaining law and order and protecting life and property. The Mission will be achieved by a team of skilled and dedicated employees, utilizing innovative programs and state of the art technology.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Research, review, and draft criminal and civil legal documents; prepares answers and responses to discovery requests, pleadings, and subpoenas;
• Review investigative case files and attachments, indictments, and other legal documents;
• Perform legal research, including analyzing rules, regulations, case law, and statutory law, and conduct cite checks of legal motions and briefs;
• Pull court documents from dockets; file legal documents and court papers with various courts and online court systems; and maintain deadlines associated with cases;
• Assist in legal review and revision of policies/directives, proposed legislation, and contracts/MOUs; 
• Serve as communication liaison between the attorneys and law enforcement, prosecution, attorneys, courts, and witnesses;
• Prepare a variety of correspondence on behalf of the attorneys;
• Responds to inquiries received from law enforcement and prosecution partners, defense counsel, courts, witnesses, and on behalf of the attorneys;
• Assist attorneys with digital and physical organization of legal files;
• Assists attorneys with scheduling hearings, appointments, and interviews;
• Attend meetings as required;
• May attend and assist attorneys with hearings, trainings, and meetings with law enforcement and prosecution partners, defense counsel, and witnesses, including the preparation of presentation materials;
• May provide guidance or training to less experienced paralegals or other administrative staff;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Good time management skills and ability to multi-task. 
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. 
• Exhibit high level of attention to detail.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent will occasionally be required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position requires the incumbent to work in an office setting which includes shared office space with other employees.

 NOTE: This position may require some travel and operating a state vehicle. A valid Georgia driver’s license is required. 

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Paralegal 1 (Pay Grade: G; $46,800 -$50,960)

High School diploma or equivalent AND One (1) year of documented experience as a legal assistant in a legal environment OR certificate from a paralegal training program.

OR

Paralegal 2 (Pay Grade: H; $52,000 - $56,160)

High School diploma or equivalent AND Two (2) years of documented experience as a legal assistant in a legal environment OR certificate from a paralegal training program and one (1) year of documented experience as a legal assistant in a legal environment OR  one (1) year of experience required at the lower level Paralegal 1 (LET030) or position equivalent.

OR

Paralegal 3 (Pay Grade: I; $57,200 - $61,360)

High School diploma or equivalent AND Four (4) years of documented experience as a legal assistant in a legal OR certificate from a paralegal training program and two (2) years of documented experience as a legal assistant in a legal environment OR one (1) year of experience required at the lower level Paralegal 2 (LET031) or position equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, preference will be given to applicants that possess one or more of the following:

• Proficiency performing legal research using Lexis Nexis or Westlaw and utilizing electronic court filing systems
• Five (5) or more years of work experience in a legal environment 
• Current or previous paralegal experience at a District Attorney’s Office, Solicitor’s Office, or the State of Georgia
• Paralegal Studies Degree

• Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or by e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Applicants who are not selected for an interview will not receive notification.
• Foreign Education: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. This evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation that includes each completed course/subject and the U.S. credit equivalent. Applicants must submit (2) copies of the credential evaluations to the address noted above by the deadline. For a listing of services that can perform this evaluation, see the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website at http://www.naces.org/members.htm.  
• Due to budget constraints, the GBI is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
• Applicants must present a professional image during all phases of the GBI hiring process, to include when interviewing, either in-person or virtually. The attire and appearance of applicants interviewing must be what is generally accepted as both professional and appropriate for a business work environment. 

THE GBI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER