Paralegal

Quasi-Independent Agencies; Maine; Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services seeks a highly motivated paralegal to support multiple Assistant Defenders with heavy criminal defense caseloads in Augusta. The role involves case preparation, drafting routine documents, and communicating with a broad network of court officials, law enforcement, and clients.

The ideal candidate is self-directed, organized, accurate, and able to work under pressure in a fast-paced legal environment, while maintaining confidentiality and working

Qualifications

• Paralegal training or graduation from an approved program.
• Ability to research legal issues and analyze legal problems.
• Knowledge of Titles 17-A and 29-A and the life of a criminal case.

Responsibilities

• Support busy attorneys and track large caseloads.
• Utilize Microsoft Office Suite for day-to-day tasks.
• Manage heavy email traffic across multiple shared inboxes.
• Maintain communication with clients about court dates and case status.
• Communicate with courts, jails/prisons, and other agencies.
• Draft routine documents including discovery requests and motions.
• Track and maintain an accurate calendar of court dates.
• Process incoming court documents and maintain up-to-date case files.
• Process mail for Assistant Defenders.
• Collect, manage, and organize discovery materials.
• Use Adobe Pro to compile documents and electronic discovery binders.
• Assist with other tasks as assigned by Legal Administrator.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Discretion

Writing clearly

Education

Paralegal certificate/degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Pro

Job description

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services Capitol Region Public Defenders Opening Date: August 31, 2026 Closing Date: September 15, 2026 Grade / Admin unit : 20 / Professional/Technical Job Class Code: 0884 Position Number: 146000034 Salary: $20.68 - $28.88/Hourly Location: Augusta Telework: Partial/Hybrid, with management approval, upon completion of probationary period. All telework must be performed in the State of Maine.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Capitol Region Public Defenders is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill a paralegal position. The paralegal will provide in-office support to multiple Assistant Defenders with heavy criminal defense caseloads. The paralegal will perform case preparation, investigative and information gathering tasks necessary for providing effective assistance of counsel. The paralegal will draft routine documents such as client correspondence, discovery requests, and motions. The paralegal may also communicate with a wide network of court officials, law enforcement, legal and social agencies, jail and prison officials, as well as clients and their family members. The ideal candidate must be self-directed, organized and accurate, with the ability to work efficiently and independently. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills when communicating with individuals who are frustrated or under emotional distress. The ideal candidate must have a strong work ethic and ability to manage email traffic in multiple shared inboxes. It is essential that the successful candidate works well as part of a team and adapts well to rapid changes in a fast-paced legal environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supporting busy attorneys and tracking large caseloads
• Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite for day-to-day tasks
• Managing heavy email traffic across multiple shared inboxes
• Maintain communication with clients about court dates, case status, and other matters as directed by Assistant Defenders
• Communicate with a wide network of agencies such as the courts, jails/prisons, legal and social agencies, as well as client family members.
• Draft routine documents including discovery requests, motions, client correspondence, etc.
• Tracking and keeping an accurate calendar of scheduled court dates
• Processing incoming court documents and maintaining up to date case files
• Process incoming and outgoing mail for Assistant Defenders
• Collecting, managing, and organizing discovery including body worn camera footage, dash camera footage, police reports and witness statements, various audio, etc.
• Use Adobe Pro to compile documents and electronic discovery binders
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Legal Administrator

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage and process highly confidential and sensitive material
• Knowledge of Titles 17-A and 29-A, and the life of a criminal case
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals who may be under emotional distress
• Knowledge and skills with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Pro
• Ability to navigate an electronic court filing system and adapt to evolving technology
• Ability to write clearly and effectively
• Ability to work as a team to foster a positive working environment
• Ability to learn case management software and effectively use it

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Training, education, or experiences in office and administrative support work that demonstrates competencies in applying a solid knowledge of the principles and practices of law firm, court, or legal services processes with the ability to research complex legal issues and analyze legal problems -OR- graduation from an approved, accredited paralegal program of instruction.

CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact Legal Administrator, Kasey E. Nelson ([e-mail]).

The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

• No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto - "Dirigo" or "I lead" – as they provide essential services to Mainers every day.
• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave.
• Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
• Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work.

Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills.

Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

About Us

Join Maine State Government and Make a Difference in Your Community If you're looking for a fulfilling career that allows you to serve the public and make a difference, consider working with Maine State Government! Our departments boast an array of professions, including attorneys, biologists, correctional officers, equipment operators, engineers, human resources professionals, information technology experts, law enforcement officers, nurses, park rangers, social workers, and transportation workers. With more than 100 agencies, boards, and offices, Maine State Government is the perfect place to explore various industries and interests. Whether you're interested in finance or forestry, there's an opportunity for you to help make Maine an even better place to live.