Paralegal

The primary purpose of the position is paralegal work performed under the general supervision of the DSS Attorney. Employee is responsible for a variety of assignments which may include but not be limited to drafting, reviewing, and approving for form and legality various legal instruments, preparing routine opinions on regulations, procedures, and operations of a unit or agency, for an attorney's approval. Work involves research into laws and legal precedents. Employees may present findings with preliminary legal analysis subject to professional legal review. Work is reviewed through inspection, conferences, reports, and review of completed work

• Performs data entry activities which include typing internal memoranda, and external correspondence, entering information into computer systems and retrieving and completing forms and reports assessing and distributing requested reports. 
• Knowledge of the NC General Statutes Chapter 7B. Juvenile Code and Chapter 1A. Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Prepare Juvenile Summons, Petitions, Notices of Hearing and Affidavits for all Abuse/Neglect/Dependency cases, and subsequently filing them at the District Courthouse in Pender County.
• Assist Agency attorney in preparing Termination of Parental Rights petitions by researching cases and 7B-1111 of the NC General Statute.
• Prepare subpoenas for witnesses required in juvenile court cases for contested matters.
• Prepare Application and Writ of Habeas Corpus for individuals in certain juvenile matters to arrange for incarcerated individual to be present in the courtroom during specific cases.
• Receive, organize and disseminate all court reports to all parties involved in the case and input in Legal Department database.
• Distribute all Discovery requested in juvenile matters to all parties involved in the case in a timely fashion.
• Attend monthly DSS session of court and take notes on Findings of Fact made by the Judge and what is ordered by the Judge in each case to assist Agency attorney complete Final court orders.
• Coordinate social worker, supervisors, and attorney’s schedules to set staffing for court cases and potential nonsecure custody cases.
• Disseminate all signed court orders and/or court paperwork according to the Rules of Civil Procedure and social services policy.
• Prepare Orders for court cases wherein custody or guardianship is granted.
• Track all court cases to assure future court dates are set as statutorily required, assuring all IVE requirements are met by maintaining calendar year Excel spreadsheet.
• Prepare monthly DSS court calendar for juvenile A/N/D cases to assist the juvenile clerk prepare the presiding Judges’ calendar.
• Prepare monthly Permanency Planning Review schedule for all Agency legal cases; distribute to all SW/SWS and parent attorneys. Track participation of all parties.  Take notes on each case recommendations for Program Manager, Agency attorney and SWS’s.
• Prepare Orders for Compliance with Rule 7 of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) for expedited placement pursuant to the ICPC.
• Input all client information into Legal Department database and scan all court orders, etc., into Laserfiche case management program.
• Interact with Attorneys/Judges/Social workers/Supervisors/Program Manager/DSS Director/Clerks of Court/Law Enforcement/Child Forensic Interviewers/Medical Doctors, etc.
• Knowledge of Elder Abuse and Elder Financial Exploitation Statutes Chapter 108A-101.
• Prepares and files all Petitions for the Adjudication of Incompetence, Notice of Hearing, Application for Appointment of Guardian, Certificates of Service and deliver Ward’s copy and the Guardian ad Litem’s copy to Sheriff for service.  Mail all filed documents to all other parties.
• Schedules hearing date(s) with the Clerk of Special Proceedings in the Superior Court of Pender County; deliver Ward’s copy and the Guardian ad Litem’s copy to Sheriff for service.  
• Prepares Final Order on Petition for Adjudication of Incompetence.
• Prepares Application for Letters of Appointment of Guardianship of the Person, Guardianship of the Estate, General Guardianship and/or Limited Guardianships.
• Prepares Oath/Affirmation for Fiduciary.
• Prepares the Order Authorizing Issuance of the Appointment Letters.
• Prepares Order on Application for Appointment of Guardian.
• Prepares the Letters of Appointment for the Clerk of Superior Court to sign and Seal.
• Also prepares Motion(s) to Modify guardianship cases already in place.
• Schedules court date and prepares Notice of Hearing, Certificate of Service for subsequent filing in the Superior Court.
• Ward and Guardian ad Litem copy taken to Sheriff Department for service. 
  • If Guardianship of the Person is granted: Prepare Request for State Bond Coverage (DAAS 7016) and send to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in Raleigh, NC.
  • If Guardianship of the Estate or General Guardianship is granted: Prepare and file a Corporate Surety Bond AOC Form E-40l; contact insurance company and forward filed Bond form to be used to write the policy for the Ward.
• Attend Court to assist child support staff in the collection of Defendant payments.
• Assist staff in preparing purge sheets.
• Prepare subpoenas for records pertaining to Defendant(s) bank account and other any other records to obtain proof of income.
• Interact with Defendant(s) to ascertain if they want court-appointed attorney and assist with paperwork required.
• Assist Agency attorney in preparing Motions to secure liens for Defendants in Estate probate matters.
• Input Court orders on all CPS/APS clients to assist other DSS departments in verifying Custody, Guardianship, income information (i.e., FNS benefits, Medicaid).
• Create and send out PPR Schedule.
• File Verification forms with PPR notices with Clerk of Clerk.
• Request 911 checks to other counties/states.
• Look up Criminal History checks for all parents/caregivers before PPR.
•  Attend and take notes during PPR meetings and forward to SWS, Attorney and Program Manager.
• Update and maintain ABC Calendar.
• Draft, update and send out Court Calendars.
• Draft and send WRITs to Clerk of Court for inmates
• .Attend and take notes during Court hearings and forward to Attorney, PGM and Director.
• Draft Court Data and forward to PGM and Director.
• Draft Court Orders and forward to Attorneys for review.
• Distribute Court Reports and attachments to all Attorneys.
• Print copies of Court Reports and attachments for Attorney and the Judge.
• Draft Summons/Notice of Hearings/Publications/Subpoenas/Certificate of Services/Motions/etc. etc. for CPS, In Home, Foster Care, APS and Child Support.
• Scan and forward filed Court Orders to Attorneys, SWs and all parties involved.
• Responsible for locating SW and SWS for all requests regarding Social Worker notes, data, and documentation.
• Organize and maintain electronic and paper files.
• Responsible for preparing and checking legal ads in the paper for publication (Service of process).
• Filing Court pleadings and documentations
• Other duties as assigned.

Filing techniques both paper and electronic, General office operations, Outstanding customer service application, Office equipment and supplies, Phone answering techniques, Operating office equipment. Typing, Using a computer and related software applications, Answering multiple phone lines, use of fax machines, Maintaining files, Keeping logs, Making copies, Providing outstanding customer service, Entering and retrieving data, Preparing and delivering presentations, Using basic office equipment, Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Courteous, professional, and respectful treatment of all clients being served and of others with whom this position may come in contact with during the course of the workday is essential.

The worker in this position must be able to relate to co-workers in a caring and non-judgmental manner. The worker must interact with others in a courteous, professional and respectful manner. 

This position must be accurate in reporting statistical data and updating client information in the agency databases. It is essential that work performed by this position be highly accurate because the decisions made could affect the quality and timeliness of the services we provide to our clients.

This position has access to numerous secure sites at local, state and government level that information is to be maintained in a secure level.  Regular supervision will be received in the areas of the Duties and Responsibilities.  Also, online training will be available to the employee when needed.

Online manuals are used to assist in the completion of day to day practice. Other reference materials are used when appropriate.
 
Office machines regularly used in this position include computers, printers, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, scanners, and the telephone system to complete assigned tasks.

Extreme attention to detail is required. Extensive time is spent utilizing PC for generating/pulling critical data and reports using multiple state and agency systems/programs. Initiative, ingenuity, and good judgment should be utilized.

This position must be knowledgeable about agency operations.

Minimum Training and Experience Requirements - Associate degree in Business from accredited school.  Associate degree from an accredited school and one year of directly related experience; or Graduation from high school and demonstrated possession of knowledge, skills and abilities gained through at least one year of office assistant/secretarial experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. 
*(Directly related experience is defined as clerical services experience.)

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires standing and occasionally requires walking, sitting, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).