Senior Paralegal

State of Maine; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 49,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Health Insurance

Retirement plan

Disability benefits

Job summary

State of Maine, MaineDOT's Office of Legal Services, seeks a Senior Paralegal to draft, review, and develop complex legal documents, including multi-party contracts and licenses for transportation projects across the state.

The role emphasizes translating business needs into clear contractual language, conducting regulatory research, and ensuring compliance with federal and Maine laws. A strong drafting background with real estate experience is preferred, across a collaborative legal team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and at least three years of paralegal experience in a law firm, court, or legal services department.
• Experience drafting substantive legal documents and contracts; knowledge of real estate instruments is preferred.
• Ability to interpret project requirements and translate them into clear, structured legal documents.
• Experience researching federal and state laws and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and develop contracts, licenses, leases, and real estate-related instruments.
• Translate business and project needs into clear contractual provisions with attorneys and staff.
• Conduct legal and regulatory research on federal and Maine statutes and guidance.
• Support compliance by incorporating terms into agreements and related documents.
• Assist with FOAA responses, document collection, organization, and review.

Skills

Drafting contracts

Legal document development

Real estate contracts

Regulatory research

Interagency agreements

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Paralegal experience 3+ years

Job description

Starting Salary: $49,296.00 - $68,785.60

Office/Bureau: Legal Services

Location: Augusta, ME

Opening Date: October 2, 2026

Closing Date: October 22, 2026

MaineDOT is seeking an experienced Senior Paralegal to join its Office of Legal Services. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of legal work supporting transportation projects and infrastructure across the State of Maine. MaineDOT's mission is to support economic opportunity and quality of life for Maine people and businesses by responsibly providing the safest and most reliable transportation system possible, given available resources. The Office of Legal Services plays a key role in that mission by helping the Department navigate legal requirements while advancing practical, business-focused solutions.

About the Role

This position is well-suited for a paralegal with a strong foundation in drafting and developing legal documents, particularly contracts and other transactional instruments. The Senior Paralegal contributes to a collaborative legal team, working closely with attorneys and legal staff to develop, review, and revise a wide variety of legal instruments and processes central to MaineDOT's operations. The work involves more than proofreading or making routine changes to existing documents. The successful candidate will be expected to interpret project requirements, identify information needed to prepare effective legal documents, and develop or adapt contractual language to address the particular circumstances of each assignment. This may involve working from established templates or creating documents that require more substantial drafting and development. This role is a professional growth position where the successful candidate will build subject-matter knowledge of MaineDOT's programs over time. Success in this role requires the ability to work within an established legal framework, take direction, and refine work product through feedback and collaboration. Work is performed under the guidance of experienced legal staff, with increasing independence as familiarity and proficiency develop.

What You'll Do

• Drafting, reviewing, and developing a variety of legal documents, such as multi-party contracts and licenses; cost-sharing and interagency agreements; leases, deeds, and other real estate-related instruments; and environmental covenants and restrictions
• Translating business and project needs into clear, well-structured contractual provisions and legal documents aligning with project goals and applicable legal requirements in collaboration with attorneys and program staff
• Conducting legal and regulatory research, including analysis of federal and Maine statutes, regulations, and guidance applicable to transportation projects
• Supporting compliance with federal and state requirements by identifying applicable provisions and incorporating appropriate terms and conditions into agreements and related documents
• Supporting the Department's administrative rulemaking process, including document preparation, coordination, and tracking
• Assisting with responses to Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests, including document collection, organization, and review

What We're Looking For

• Has demonstrated experience drafting substantive legal documents and is confident in their technical skills; a real estate or property-related legal background is preferred
• Can interpret factual and business requirements, recognize when additional information is needed, and translate those requirements into clear, logically organized legal documents
• Is comfortable working in a structured, team-oriented legal environment where collaboration and review are integral to the process
• Demonstrates sound judgment, attention to detail, and a practical approach to legal work
• Has experience researching and applying federal and state laws and regulatory requirements, or the ability to develop that expertise
• Communicates clearly and professionally, both in writing and in person
• Can manage multiple assignments while maintaining accuracy in a deadline-driven environment
• Is interested in developing subject-matter knowledge in contracts, property, and administrative law in the context of MaineDOT's operations

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's Degree and at least three (3) years of paralegal experience in a law firm, court, or legal services department - OR - an equivalent combination of education and/or experience

Applicants may be asked to provide a brief writing sample demonstrating experience with legal drafting or document review.

Why join our team?

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 Fit - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Wellness - We care about you and your family's wellbeing, offering 12 days of sick leave annually to help you stay healthy.
• Health Insurance Coverage - The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$13,650.48 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 up to 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 contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 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.

Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.