Excluded Paralegal - Labor and Employment Section (Salem) - Multiple Vacancies

Initial Posting Date:

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Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Justice is seeking to hire up to two (2) experienced Paralegals to join the General Counsel Division, Labor and Employment Section.

In this role, you will provide assistance to attorneys in the Labor and Employment Section within the General Counsel Division of the Department of Justice to support the legal advice and litigation functions of the section. You will be working with attorneys who represent management and participate in the development and review of concepts and proposals for collective bargaining, employment litigation to include arbitrations and administrative hearings, and providing advice to management and leadership positions on employment law matters, including researching such laws as ADA, leave laws, and laws involving discrimination and harassment.  This position is designated as confidential because it acts and assists attorneys who are advising management in the area of collective bargaining.  It is excluded from membership in the Department’s union.

We offer generous benefits for you and your family, work-life balance, and a strong public service mission. If selected, you will work closely with attorneys in the Labor and Employment section and other professionals within the DOJ to provide legal services for our state agencies.

The successful applicant may elect to work a hybrid schedule of remote and in-office work from the Salem DOJ office with a minimum expectation of two in-office days per week in the Salem DOJ office.

The Department of Justice promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging among our employees and seeks an applicant with awareness and commitment to these values. As we advise our clients and engage with one another, these values motivate and guide our interactions.

Key Job Duties

Paralegals perform work delegated by section attorneys that is necessary to successfully advise client representatives on the management side or prepare for hearing. Among job responsibilities, tasks may include:

• Review files to determine issues involved and sufficiency of existing exhibits and documentation. Draft statement of facts for memoranda or briefs or prepare factual analysis of case, including sufficiency of pleadings and evidence.

• Work with client agencies to obtain additional documents and information as needed to prove allegations, review and summarize depositions or other transcripts, and prepare hearing notebooks.

• Locate and interview witnesses and assist in preparation of witnesses.

• Draft responses to discovery requests, review and prepare documents produced and gathered during discovery process for submission at hearing.

• Review and analyze opponents' factual statements in pleadings and assess the need to obtain additional evidence or witnesses.

• Review and analyze opponents' legal arguments in memoranda and briefs. Draft memoranda or appropriate responsive pleadings based on such analysis as needed.

• Identify and organize exhibits and outline comprehensive questions to be asked at hearing.

• Review hearing transcripts and identify evidence and case facts to support sufficiency of hearing officer's findings.

• Monitor case progress to ensure timely action by department or agency, as needed.

• Perform legal research.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience 

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that you demonstrate, using an intentional equity lens.

• Two year Associate degree in Paralegal or Legal Assistant Studies.

OR

• Eighteen months of Paralegal experience.

OR

• Any combination of training and experience that demonstrates experience in legal work, independent judgment, legal terminology principles, concepts, systems, and processes. Experience must include discovery and trial methods and procedures, legal ethics and skill in preparing legal documents, interviewing witnesses and explaining legal issues.

Work experience is based on a 40-hour work week. (Example: 20 hours a week for one year would equal six-months of work experience.)

Desired Skills, Experiences, and Attributes

• Ability to organize and prioritize work duties.

• Detail oriented.

• Experience working in a litigation environment.

• Experience with Summation, Concordance, Relativity, EDT, or other litigation support software database.

• Organizing, searching, and reviewing discovery documents.

• Experience using legal research, billing, document management or case management program.

• Experience researching legal issues, including legislative and regulatory history research.

• Experience independently drafting briefs and other legal documents.

• Experience maintaining confidentiality with sensitive case information.

What’s In It For You

• Job satisfaction as part of a team whose mission is to serve Oregon's public and government agencies.

• Permanent, full-time employment in Salem, Oregon.

• Vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and special days off. 

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.

• Pension and retirement programs.

• Opportunity to expand your professional skills.

For more information about our benefits, you can learn here.

Application Process

The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.

• Click "Apply" and complete the online application and all supplemental questions.

• Attach your resume.

• Attach a cover letter identifying your attributes that meet the desired and requested skills.

ALL APPLICANTS: You will only have one opportunity to upload the required resume and cover letter. Drag and drop both resume and cover letter into Workday when prompted to upload your resume. If you are concerned that one or both requested documents didn't attach to your application, if you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions, or need assistance with the application process, please contact doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov. Any materials emailed will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.

CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using your state-issued login and apply via the Jobs Hub Worklet located on your home page. Using a private account disrupts the hiring process for all internal candidates. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).

For additional information regarding working for the Department of Justice and application assistance, click HERE.

Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court St NE
Salem, OR 97301
DOJ.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov

Phone: (503) 947-4328
Fax: (503) 373-0367