Paralegal

Initial Posting Date:

Application Deadline:

Agency:

Salary Range:

Position Type:

Position Title:

Job Description:

Interviews: will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline.

Who We Are

The Appellate Court Services Division (ACSD) is part of the Office of the State Court Administrator (OSCA) at the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD). ACSD operates the public clerk’s office and provides administrative support for the Oregon Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work, lived experience, and education, plus any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission. 

Benefits To You

• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.

• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.

• OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.

• Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.

Position Highlights

We are hiring a Paralegal to join our team in ACSD’s Appellate Court Records Section in Salem, Oregon.

In this role, you will evaluate and process complex filings for the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. For the Court of Appeals, you will review filings for timeliness and confirm that the court has legal jurisdiction. You will review the trial court register to determine the appealability of judgments and orders. You will write memos about motions for the judges and Appellate Commissioner to review, issue approved orders, help analyze motions, and refer certain motions and responses to staff attorneys, the commissioner, or a judge. For the Supreme Court, you will set up new cases and review filings for content, timeliness, and compliance with rules and statutes. You will work with staff attorneys and Supreme Court Justices by processing motions and drafting orders for approval.

Additionally, you will review and prepare cases for issuance of appellate judgments, including reviewing the case register for open issues, cost and fees, and trial court and agency records. You will send judgments and return case records to trial courts and agencies. Much of your work will be performed using the Appellate Case Management System.

You will help our customers at the service counter and over the telephone. You will answer complex questions about the process for filing notices of appeal, petitions for judicial review, and Supreme Court filings. You will accept payments for fees, issue receipts, and post payments to the appropriate cases.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs. 

Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.

Cover Letter (REQUIRED)

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.

• In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.

• Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”

• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.

• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.

Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.
  
  OR 

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have at least two (2) years of post-secondary education in criminal justice, judicial or public education, or a related field OR a paralegal certificate from an American Bar Association approved paralegal program.

AND

At least three (3) years’ experience as a paralegal or progressively responsible clerical experience including tasks such as processing and preparing legal documents, legal case preparation, and legal research.
 

OR

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to five (5) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

None.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Experience performing a variety of clerical or administrative support tasks with strict, and often competing, deadlines in a fast-paced business or professional setting.

• Experience providing customer service to a variety of individuals in challenging circumstances.

• Experience reviewing legal documents for accuracy and content.

• Experience handling cash or credit card transactions and generating receipts.

• Knowledge of legal terminology, legal research methods, and state and federal law.

• Experience working for a court or in another legal environment.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time position, and the work schedule is currently 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per workweek.

• Occasional after-hours or overtime work may be necessary as workload and deadlines require.

• Hybrid work may be available for this position after the first year; on-site availability is required as needed. All remote work assignments begin, end, or change only with administrative authority approval.

• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma.

• Lifting and maneuvering large files and boxes of records that weigh up to 30 pounds, several times per week. 

• Long periods of sitting or standing.

• Regular use of the following equipment: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copy machine, fax machine, and scanner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Criminal Background Check
You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Veterans’ Preference
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits
Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.

• Workday related information and resources are available here.

• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.