Paralegal - Portland

MaineGuide; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Job summary

Workers’ Compensation Board in Portland, ME seeks a paraprofessional to support attorneys by researching statutes, case law, and legal codes, and by preparing complex documents for review. You'll perform alternative dispute resolution, draft deeds and notices, and help prepare hearings.

This role requires strong legal knowledge, research ability, and clear written and verbal communication. Partial telework after probation is allowed; telework must be within Maine; visa sponsorship is not

Qualifications

• Knowledge of legal principles and practice.
• Ability to conduct complex legal research and analyze legal problems.
• Ability to prepare for and conduct alternative dispute resolution sessions.
• Ability to compile and prepare a variety of complex legal documents and reports.

Responsibilities

• Researches, analyzes, and evaluates complex legal material to assist attorneys.
• Interprets laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Abstracts complex legal documents to compile documentation.
• Drafts deeds, easements, agreements, and tax information statements.
• Confer, negotiate, and advocate for clients and others.
• Prepares comprehensive legal documents and reports for review.
• Conducts alternative dispute resolution processes.
• Assists attorneys in decision making with analysis and recommendations.
• Attends hearings to provide administrative support.

Skills

Legal research

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Written communication

Advocacy services

Dispute resolution

Attention to detail

Education

Paralegal program certification

Job description

Workers’ Compensation Board

Worker Advocate Division

Opening Date: October 20, 2026

Closing Date: November 18, 2026

Grade / Admin Unit: 20 / Professional/Technical

Job Class Code: 0884

Salary: $21.61 - $30.18/Hourly

Position Number: 029000388

Location: Portland

Telework: Partial telework upon management approval after completion of the probation period. All telework must be performed in the State of Maine.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

JOB DESCRITPTION:

This is paraprofessional support work in investigating, researching, and reviewing various legal issues. Responsibilities include assisting attorneys in a variety of complex legal work; researching and analyzing law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes; preparing complex and comprehensive legal documents for review, approval, and use by an attorney. This class is differentiated from the Paralegal Assistant classification by the more complex paralegal work performed and the assignment of full responsibility for conducting alternative dispute resolution processes. Work is performed under limited supervision.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Researches, analyzes, and evaluates a variety of complex legal material in order to incorporate related material into draft reports and assist attorneys in completing legal casework.
• Interprets and explains laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in order to provide information, clarification, and/or promote understanding.
• Abstracts complex recorded instruments, records, and legal documents in order to compile needed documentation.
• Analyzes titles in order to determine proper parties to be compensated or notified.
• Drafts closing documents such as deeds, easements, agreements, tax information statements, and other similar documents in order to prepare necessary paperwork for closing actions.
• Confers, negotiates, and/or advocates for clients, organizational representatives, attorneys, and others in order to provide advocacy, promote understanding, and/or resolve issues.
• Compiles and prepares complex legal documents, pleadings, discovery, notices of hearings, comprehensive findings of fact or conclusions, and other similar material in order to prepare legal case documentation and/or provide information to parties.
• Conducts alternative dispute resolution processes in order to reduce litigation and resolve issues.
• Makes recommendations and provides assistance to attorneys and others in order to assist in the decision making process.
• Prepares a variety of comprehensive legal documentation and reports in order to provide draft or final document for review and/or signature.
• Attends administrative hearings and/or meetings in order to provide administrative support and compose drafts of legal decisions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of legal principles and practice.
• Knowledge of legal documents, court procedures, rules of evidence, and litigation practices.
• Knowledge of eminent domain procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable state/federal statutes, case law, and regulations.
• Knowledge of public records affecting titles, research procedures, legal terminology, and processes.
• Ability to conduct complex legal research and analyze legal problems.
• Ability to prepare for and conduct alternative dispute resolution sessions.
• Ability to compile and prepare a variety of complex comprehensive legal documentation and reports.
• Ability to understand, explain, and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and case law.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to write clearly and effectively.
• Ability to provide negotiation and advocacy services.
• Ability to abstract and analyze complex comprehensive recorded instruments, records, and legal documents.

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 [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. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• 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. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• 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.