Paralegal - Records Requests

Munro Footwear Group; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

Montana Public Service Commission is seeking a part-time paralegal to assist with public information requests in Helena. The 18-hour-per-week position runs through June 30, 2027, with potential permanent funding thereafter.

Responsibilities include reviewing requests, determining responsiveness, coordinating with staff, redacting confidential records, and assisting with privilege logs. The role emphasizes accuracy, discretion, and strong writing and legal research skills, with preferred

Qualifications

• Two years of paralegal-related experience.
• Familiarity with Montana public records laws.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and legal citation skills.
• Strong organization, multitasking and time management.
• Ability to handle confidential information securely.

Responsibilities

• Review public records requests under Montana law.
• Determine responsiveness and coordinate responses.
• Coordinate with agency personnel and outside parties.
• Redact records prior to dissemination.
• Assist in preparing privilege logs.
• Monitor changes to public records laws and advise updates.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Public records laws

Writing skills

Proofreading & legal citation

Organizational skills

Legal research

Confidentiality

MS Office 365

Adobe software

Teamwork

Education

Associate’s degree in paralegal studies

Paralegal certification (NALA/NFPA)

Other combinations of education & experience

Tools

Legal research software

Job description

Job Description - Paralegal - Records Requests (26142314)

Position Title:

Paralegal - Records Requests - ( 26142314 )

The Montana Public Service Commission (Commission) seeks a part-time paralegal to aid our agency in exercising regulatory oversight of some of the largest essential industries in Montana. The Commission works to ensure fair prices, responsible business practices, and reliable services for Montana customers. The successful candidate will join our legal team who finds the work to be interesting, meaningful, and critical to our agency’s goal of serving the citizens of Montana extraordinarily well.

The Commission is the head of the Montana Department of Public Service Regulation, a small state agency with a big impact. The Commission is composed of 5 elected Commissioners representing every region of beautiful Montana. Commonly referred to as the PSC, our agency is staffed by a team of approximately 33 professionals in the Legal, Regulatory, and Centralized Services Divisions. The PSC is responsible for supervising monopolistic industries within Montana to ensure fair prices, responsible business practices, and sustainable, reliable service for the Montana customers who rely upon them. Regulated industries currently include privately held power, water, sewer, telecommunications, sanitation, and certain commercial transportation providers. The PSC also plays a vital role in railway and pipeline safety. The agency has a clear and well-defined strategic plan to enhance our operations, work environment, and value to the public. Our team includes seasoned leaders with expertise and institutional knowledge coupled with newly elected commissioners with innovative ideas for the agency.

Works under the supervision of the agency Chief Legal Counsel and the agency Commission Secretary.

This position is a part-time, 18 hour per week modified position effective through June 30, 2027. After this date, the position may be permanently funded or subject to termination.

Duties: Public Information Requests

• Review all public records requests received by the Commission made pursuant to the Montana Constitution and Montana’s right to know laws.
• Reviews hard copy and digital information and determines whether the information is responsive to public records requests.
• Coordinates with other agency personnel to respond timely to public records requests, including identifying personnel that may possess responsive documents and estimating response times and response costs.
• Communicates with agency personnel, outside attorneys and parties, and the general public, both verbally and in writing, regarding public records requests.
• Coordinates with the Chief Legal Counsel on high profile or sensitive public records requests.
• Flags documents responsive to public records requests that may contain privileged/confidential information.
• Redacts records prior to dissemination in response to public records requests.
• Assists in preparing privilege logs.
• Monitors changes to Montana’s public records laws and makes recommendations for modifying the Commission’s public record request response procedures as necessary.

Special Information

Please note that the Paralegal position is a non-litigating position.

Competencies required for the first day of work

• Prior experience working as a paralegal or the ability to quickly master the responsibilities of the position.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly become familiar with Montana public records laws.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Excellent proofreading skills and legal citation checking skills.
• Excellent organization, prioritization, multitasking, and time management skills.
• Strong legal research skills, including proficiency in using legal research software or the ability to learn to proficiently use legal research software.
• Strong sense of discretion, integrity, and professional responsibility in handling confidential and/or sensitive material, including the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Strong digital literacy skills, (e.g. using personal computers and office machines), including intermediate-to-advanced skills in Microsoft Office 365 and Adobe software.
• Strong sense of the chain of command, decorum, and professionalism.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and high attention to detail while working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and individually.
• Ability to maintain professionalism when critiqued.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience)

Two years of job-related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in paralegal studies from an accredited institution or
• Certification by the National Association of Legal Assistants or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Successful applicants will be subject to background checks relevant to the position and must pass reference checks before an offer is extended.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary

$29.50 - 29.50 Hourly

Telework Eligibility : Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility : Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Primary Location

Helena Agency : Public Service Commission Union : 000 - None

Contact Name : Centralized Services Division | Contact Email : PSCHumanResources/[e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.