Senior Paralegal / 61014185

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful contributions to your community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of South Carolina's children, families, and vulnerable adults? If so, the SC Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you!

Job Duties:

• The Senior Paralegal provides legal administrative process management and paralegal support for the Midlands Region in a complex, multifaceted state agency with complex and multifaceted legal needs. Serves alongside, leads, and supervises the administrative support and paralegal staff in the Midlands Region. 

• Serves as senior paralegal in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Provides legal administrative process management in this Circuit. Maintains calendar and tickler files, prepares personnel documents related to employees of the Fifth Circuit and serves as HR liaison. Completes special projects as assigned.

• Leads and supervises the paralegal and administrative support staff in the Fifth Circuit, prepares personnel documents and evaluates staff annually; trains staff, manages workload for staff to ensure the office is always performing efficiently and effectively.

• Aids attorneys on research, trial preparation, preparation of legal documents and pleadings, organizes exhibits, documents, and evidence, and assists with discovery requests and scheduling. Courteously and professionally communicates with outside attorneys, court, and judicial staff. 

• Assists with monitor the accuracy of reports from CAPSS and LCMS. Coordinates business activities associated with fiscal management, procurement, supply services, and accounts payable.

• As needed, assists attorneys with all facets of legal functions of Midlands Region, including adoptions, administrative hearings, tort litigation, personnel actions, and preparing documentation for county and regional legal operations, including for example document templates and personnel documentation. 

• Provides leadership and oversight in maintaining file organization, legal files, and electronic records, including all litigation files involving the agency in that circuit.  Logs, processes, and routes incoming correspondence and pleadings to appropriate agency staff and/or responds as appropriate.

• Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duty/services as directed.

An Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies or related field with Paralegal Certificate. Extensive paralegal experience (minimum of 10 years) performing delegated legal tasks. Human Resources/Personnel and budget experience preferred.

Completion of paralegal courses and/or a paralegal certificate.  

This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety.  A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application.  If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers.

Must possess a valid driver's license. Must be able and willing to drive and to transport children and adults, must be able to lift children and to interact with children and adults in a positive manner.

If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs