Paralegal 1-2

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); In loco; USD 28.000 - 41.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

State of Louisiana - Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) seeks a Paralegal 1–2 to support the General Law Unit with a primary focus on public records administration. Responsibilities include coordinating collection, review, redaction, and production of records, plus research and litigation support.

You will work with attorneys and staff to locate records, digitize historical materials, and handle large volumes of information.

Competenze

• Completion of an ABA-approved Paralegal/Legal Assistant program, or equivalent.
• CP certification by NALA, or a Juris Doctorate.
• Candidates should demonstrate strong research, writing, and organization skills.

Mansioni

• Process public records requests by identifying, gathering, reviewing, organizing, and producing responsive records.
• Communicate with requestors and coordinate with DOTD attorneys and staff to locate information.
• Review records to redact exempt information before release.
• Research records in DOTD systems, including historical records stored on microfilm.
• Assist with digitization of historical DOTD records and support litigation activities.

Conoscenze

Attention to detail

Organized

Communication

Formazione

ABA-approved Paralegal/Legal Assistant program

Certified Paralegal (CP)

Juris Doctorate

Descrizione del lavoro

About This Job

Paralegal 1–2 (Public Records & General Law Unit)

At the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), we plan, build, maintain, and protect the transportation systems that connect communities, support commerce, and keep Louisiana moving.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Legal Section is seeking a Paralegal to support the General Law Unit, with a primary focus on public records administration. This position helps ensure timely and legally compliant responses to public records requests by coordinating the collection, review, redaction, organization, and production of records maintained throughout DOTD.

The selected candidate will work with attorneys and employees across the Department to research and locate responsive records, communicate with requestors, assist with the digitization of historical records, and provide legal research and litigation support as needed. This position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, organized, comfortable handling large volumes of information, and interested in public records law and government legal operations. The position description identifies public records work as the primary responsibility of the position, along with records digitization, litigation support, and legal research.

Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency:
https://dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-management-and-finance/human-resources/career-center/

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of an approved Paralegal or Legal Assistant program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), or at an accredited college or university; OR
• Possession of a Certified Paralegal (CP) certification issued by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.; OR
• A Juris Doctorate.

Note

Disbarred attorneys and those who have permanently resigned from the practice of law in lieu of discipline may not be hired in any position in connection with the practice of law. Suspended attorneys or an attorney transferred to disability inactive status during the period of suspension may not be hired in any position in connection with the practice of law unless such hiring is first preceded by the submission of a fully executed registration statement to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, on a registration form provided by the Louisiana Disciplinary Board and approved by the Louisiana Supreme Court. See Rule 5.5(e)(1) of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct; In Re Davenport, 2021-01371 (La. 11/3/21) and 326 So.3d 882; In re Sharp, 2012- 2463 (La. 1/11/13), 106 So.3d 105. The hiring agency is responsible for conducting the necessary background checks prior to appointment.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties And Other Information

The job duties and responsibilities may vary depending on the level at which the incumbent is hired. The job duties and responsibilities listed below are for the Paralegal 2 position and represent the duties and responsibilities that the incumbent will be expected to fulfill at the end of the training series.

Job Duties

• Process public records requests by identifying, gathering, reviewing, organizing, and producing responsive records in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and statutory deadlines.
• Communicate with public records requestors and coordinate with DOTD attorneys, employees, contractors, and other sources to locate information and records responsive to requests.
• Review records to identify, segregate, and redact information that is exempt from disclosure before records are released.
• Research and retrieve records maintained in DOTD information systems, including electronic records and historical records stored on microfilm.
• Organize and coordinate the production of large-volume records requests and prepare invoices associated with copies of requested records.
• Assist with the digitization of historical DOTD records, including scanning, reviewing, and indexing records in accordance with approved recordkeeping and retention procedures.
• Provide litigation support to attorneys as needed, including legal and factual research, drafting legal documents, assisting with discovery, organizing exhibits, and preparing materials for depositions, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw and other legal research tools to locate statutes, case law, legal authorities, and other information needed to support the Legal Section.
• Perform special assignments and other duties as necessary, including emergency and disaster support activities.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment or Detail to Special Duty.

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Paralegal 1 or 2. The level at which the vacancy is filled will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected.

Compensation: This position is eligible for $2.00 per hour in Premium Pay for hours actually worked.

Contact Information

For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Melissa Willard
Administrative Program Specialist – Legal
225-242-4667
[e-mail]

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Additional Information

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available: https://www.laworks.net/workforcedev/lrs/lrs_rehabilitation.asp

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

Benefits

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement – State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others