Paralegal ( Certification)

NCSL Juvenile Justice Principles Work Group; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Prescription coverage

Behavioral health benefits

Life insurance

Job summary

The State of Vermont - Office of Legislative Counsel seeks a paralegal to provide comprehensive legal, administrative, and research support to staff attorneys under the Chief Counsel. Responsibilities include drafting legislative proposals, tracking state legislation, organizing committee documents, and ensuring compliance in a fast-paced public policy environment.

The role involves research, filing, and coordination with House members and staff, with standard working hours and session-day

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of paralegal or legal assistant experience.
• ABA-approved paralegal certificate or associate degree in Paralegal Studies/related field.
• Strong understanding of the legislative process and legal terminology.
• Proficiency with legal research databases and standard office software; Google Suite preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate projects for multiple attorneys.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.
• Willingness to work in the Illinois State Capitol Building Complex during session.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal, statutory, legislative, and policy research.
• Prepare, organize, and synthesize information and materials managed by the Legal Unit.
• Assist attorneys in drafting and reviewing legislative proposals, amendments, and legal memoranda.
• Maintain legal files, electronic document repositories, and legislative reference databases.
• Respond to legal research inquiries from House members, staff, and state personnel.
• Assist in coordinating meetings between attorneys and legislative stakeholders.
• Perform other administrative duties to support the legal office operations.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality for all matters.

Skills

Paralegal experience

ABA-approved certificate

Legislative process knowledge

Legal terminology

Legal research

Google Suite

Office software

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Paralegal certificate (ABA-approved)

Associate degree in Paralegal Studies/Political Science/Legal Studies

Tools

Legal research databases

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Range: $6,772 - $11,735 monthly, based on relevant experience and qualifications.

State of Vermont - Office of Legislative Counsel

Paralegal to provide comprehensive legal, administrative, and research support to staff attorneys at the direction of the Chief Counsel. This position plays a key role in assisting with legislative drafting, tracking state legislation, organizing committee documentation, and supporting legal compliance and research initiatives in a fast-paced public policy environment.

Responsibilities

The essential functions of this position include:

• Conduct legal, statutory, legislative, and policy research.
• Prepare, assemble, organize, and synthesize information and other materials managed by the Legal Unit.
• Assist attorneys in drafting and reviewing legislative proposals, amendments, resolutions, legal memoranda, and other relevant work products.
• Maintain legal files, electronic document repositories, and legislative reference databases.
• Respond to legal research inquiries from House members, legislative staff, and state agency personnel under attorney supervision.
• Assist in the coordination, scheduling, and confirmation of meetings between attorneys and legislative stakeholders.
• Perform other administrative duties as needed to support the legal office operations.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality for all matters.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of paralegal or legal assistant experience, preferably in government, legislative affairs, or administrative law preferred.
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program or an associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Political Science, Legal Studies, or a related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of the legislative process and legal terminology.
• Proficiency with legal research databases and standard office software tools. Google Suite is preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate projects for multiple attorneys simultaneously.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Work is performed primarily in the Illinois State Capitol Building Complex in Springfield, Illinois, which is open to the public. Security for the complex is provided by the Illinois Secretary of State Police.
• The working environment on session days can be noisy, and the building can be congested with constituents, lobbyists, tour groups, and demonstrators.
• The person in this position needs to be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, as well as to move about inside the capitol building and grounds as necessary.
• The person in this position constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Typical work hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on non-session days. Hours are subject to change especially during Session. Occasional weekends may be required.
• Salary $50,000.
• Health, dental, vision, prescription, behavioral health, and life insurance; for details, visit the website .

Participation in State Employees’ Retirement System.

Optional participation in health savings account and deferred compensation programs.

Competitive vacation, sick, and personal time.