Paralegal/Legal Assistant 2

Successful completion of certification program for paralegal or legal assistant; 2 yrs. exp. in legal research & writing.

-Or 24 mos. law school training.

-Or 36 mos. exp. as Paralegal/Legal Assistant 1, 63810.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Attorney/Legal

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

You will provide paralegal, clerical, and administrative support as an integral member of the Appeals and Post-conviction (APC) Department team. APC includes a team of 16 staff who collectively provide representation in a wide range of proceedings occurring after a client has been convicted of one or more non-capital crimes. APC represents clients in state and federal courts on emerging criminal legal issues and regularly accepts appointments for client representation from courts across the state in appeal and post-conviction matters. Many of our clients are incarcerated throughout Ohio in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. 

You will join a four-person APC Core Support team, under the leadership of the Department’s Program Administrator, and work closely with that team as well as the Department’s 12 attorneys. We are seeking a collaborative, organized, and motivated candidate. You will prepare, review and edit various legal documents, including briefs and other pleadings for trial and appellate cases in all state and federal courts.

 Your job duties will include but are not limited to:

•     Prepare or assist in preparing briefs and other pleadings for appellate cases for filing in all state and federal courts

•     Transcribe, format, type and proof documents requiring use of legal terminology

•     Proofread final written material for completeness and accuracy

•     Compile and produce appendix materials for briefs according to various court rules

•     File legal documents electronically and/or manually in federal, state and local courts

•     Conduct research using legal research tools, computer applications, and online databases

•     Monitor and maintain several Excel spreadsheets containing deadlines; local rules of  courts’ filing requirements; and confidential attorney credentials

•     Prepare legal correspondence from attorneys to prosecutors, courts, court personnel, defense attorneys and clients

•     Schedule telephone calls, visits and videoconferences to various institutions and prisons

•     Act as liaison between attorneys, courts and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction institutions

•     Screen calls and visitors for attorneys and other personnel, and convey messages

•     Assist in maintaining office computer case management/docketing system (e.g., enter data into computer, use docketing program to print and produce reports).

•     Maintain calendar of appointments for attorneys and keeps staff abreast of hearings and court filing deadlines

•     Make travel arrangements and related logistical support for attorneys

•     Scan, sort and distribute incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail

•     Attend team and department meetings and contribute to initiatives and projects

The Paralegal/Legal Assistant 2 position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s E1 Pay Schedule, Pay Range 29, presented below in table format. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; Candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth\: you move to the next step after six months and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicant. In addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.

The final candidate tentatively selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. 

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Our Mission\: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision\:    A Fair Justice System.
Our Values\:   Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.

We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.

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