Paralegal

UM04 University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES); United States; On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland Eastern Shore is seeking a full-time, nonexempt legal support professional to assist the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Office of the General Counsel. The role reports to the Directors of Financial Aid and Counsel, with a 40-hour workweek and a salary range of $25.93–$28.00 per hour.

The position emphasizes thorough research, policy interpretation, and timely submissions to ED and internal stakeholders, with emphasis on confidentiality and FERPA compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four (4) years of professional legal experience.
• Excellent research, written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage Borrower Defense cases: Track all Department of Education claims, deadlines, case status, COD Web activity, and required submissions.
• Conduct detailed fact-finding: Investigate each allegation, establish the who/what/when/where/why/how, develop timelines, and distinguish documented facts from allegations.
• Research institutional records: Collect and analyze student, financial aid, academic, admissions, communications, policies, catalogs, and historical records while maintaining FERPA and confidentiality requirements.
• Analyze regulations and prepare responses: Research applicable federal regulations and guidance, evaluate the evidence supporting each allegation, and draft comprehensive responses and supporting documentation for ED review.
• Ensure compliance and risk management: Maintain audit-ready case files, identify potential compliance or financial risks, meet all deadlines, and elevate matters requiring legal advice to university counsel.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Oral communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Paralegal certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement: The University of Maryland Eastern Shore invites applications for a full-time, nonexempt contractual position with limited benefits. The successful candidate will support the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Office of the General Counsel. The position is (40) hours, split between the two offices. The position will report to the Director of Financial Aid. Salary Range (Hourly): $25.93 - $28.00 Benefits: No regular benefits. Safe and Sick Leave Only.

Safe and Sick Leave Guidelines

• Pursuant to the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, if you are regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 12 hours a week, you will be entitled to accrue Sick and Safe leave at the rate of 1 (one) hour for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum accrual of 40 hours per calendar year.
• You may carry over up to 40 hours of Sick and Safe leave per calendar year. You may use up to 64 hours of accrued Sick and Safe leave per calendar year and may accrue up to a maximum of 64 hours of Sick and Safe leave in total at any time.
• You will not be eligible to use Sick and Safe leave until 106 days from your date of hire.
• Sick and Safe leave balances will be carried over for contract renewals.
• Upon termination from employment, you will not be entitled to payment for any unused Sick and Safe leave balance; however, if you leave employment and are re-employed within 37 weeks of your last contract termination date, you will be entitled to have any unused Sick and Safe leave reinstated.

Responsibilities

Office of Student Financial Aid

• Manage Borrower Defense cases: Track all Department of Education claims, deadlines, case status, COD Web activity, and required submissions.
• Conduct detailed fact-finding: Investigate each allegation, establish the who/what/when/where/why/how, develop timelines, and distinguish documented facts from allegations.
• Research institutional records: Collect and analyze student, financial aid, academic, admissions, communications, policies, catalogs, and historical records while maintaining FERPA and confidentiality requirements.
• Analyze regulations and prepare responses: Research applicable federal regulations and guidance, evaluate the evidence supporting each allegation, and draft comprehensive responses and supporting documentation for ED review.
• Ensure compliance and risk management: Maintain audit-ready case files, identify potential compliance or financial risks, meet all deadlines, and elevate matters requiring legal advice to university counsel.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Director.

Office of the General Counsel

• Manage and process requests submitted under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), including coordinating records searches, reviewing, and compiling responsive documents, calculating and processing fees, and preparing records for production in accordance with applicable laws and deadlines.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four (4) years of professional legal experience.
• Excellent research, written and oral communication skills.

Preferences

• Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
• Paralegal certification.
• Two to three years of experience providing legal or administrative support, preferably in a law office, government, higher education, or corporate environment.
• Strong knowledge of legal terminology, document preparation, and records management.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal research, involving federal, state and administrative statutes, regulations and case law.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
• Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Physical Demands

• May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, sitting at desk.
• May require lifting.
• Requires communication with a variety of constituents externally and internally.
• Requires operation of a variety of office equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Four (4) years of professional legal experience.
• Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.
• Knowledge of legal research, involving federal, state and administrative statutes, regulations and case law.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
• Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Other

• Preferences: Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
• Paralegal certification.
• wo to three years of experience providing legal or administrative support, preferably in a law office, government, higher education, or corporate environment.
• Strong knowledge of legal terminology, document preparation, and records management.
• Excellent research, written and oral communication skills.

EEO Statement

UMES is an EEO/AA employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate must be able to show acceptable documentation establishing the right to accept employment in the United States of America without employer sponsorship.

Diversity Statement

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is an equal access, equal opportunity institution fully committed to diversity in education and employment. All students, employees, and the campus community at UMES are valued, respected, and have the opportunity to receive an equitable experience in an inclusive, welcoming environment of openness and appreciation.

Title IX Statement

It is the policy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) based on sex in the University's educational programs and activities. Title IX also prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discriminations or harassment.

Welcome to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Employment Website!

The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding faculty and staff to support the student-centered mission of our university. Founded in 1886, the University is a Historically Black, Land Grant University with over 30 degree programs housed on a campus of over 50 buildings on over 1,100 acres.

With an atmosphere of collegiality and a commitment to go from Excellence to Eminence, UMES is not only a great place to work, but it is a place to express your passion for educating students, develop your personal career goals, and to make a difference in the community, the state, and the world beyond.

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the university is a beautiful place to work and call home.

Thank you for your interest in employment with our University.

Hawk Pride, Catch It!

Human Resources

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