Under close supervision, the Paralegal Technician Assistant learns to research laws, rules, and regulations, investigate facts, and prepare documents for use in briefs, pleadings, appeals, and other legal actions. The current starting salary is $35,184.41
Responsibilities may include researching legal areas of concern for the legal staff members and prepare formal correspondence relating to issues involving the work of the agency, other agencies, courts, legislators, and others parties. Also may include drafting less complex memoranda, communicating discussion of legal topics including memorializing the legal research, preparing informal correspondence in response to citizen inquiries and other similar matters. In addition, review cited legal decisions to determine their precedential value and maintain and organize files to assure accessibility to those records and that such information can be retrieved upon request.
Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree as a Legal Assistant or in Paralegal Studies or, an Associate or Bachelors Degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies. A Juris Doctorate (JD) degree may be substituted for the education requirement.
Note: Rule 1:20-20(a) prohibits attorneys that may have been disbarred, resigned with prejudice, transferred to disability-inactive status, or under suspension from the practice of law in this or any other jurisdiction from being employed as paralegals/legal assistants in the state of New Jersey.
A valid driver’s license is required to perform the essential functions of this position. Because driving of state vehicles is an essential function of this position, the following may disqualify you from consideration: driving record with five points or more within the past five years; any driving under the influence conviction within the past five years; or, any combination of three motor vehicle violations/license suspensions involving the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle within the last five years.
The ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate sufficiently in English to perform the duties of the position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
This position is an Open Competitive title
Selected candidates will be required to apply for, and successfully pass, an open competitive civil service examination to remain in this position.
If you are selected for this position, you are responsible for applying for the examination when it is announced by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission and you must be reachable for appointment from the issued list of eligible(s) in order to be appointed into a permanent position.
How to Apply
You must submit a cover letter and resume to:
Department of Children and Families
Office of Human Resources, Recruitment Unit
PO Box 717
Trenton, NJ 08625-0717
You can also e-mail your current cover letter and resume to:
yfsresume@dcf.state.nj.us
Your resume will then be reviewed for proper qualifications/requirements and recorded into a database for tracking purposes. You will receive an acknowledgement letter and may be asked to complete some necessary paperwork to be mailed back to the office of Human Resources. You also may be contacted by a Recruitment Specialist, who will schedule you for an interview. If you are not initially selected for an interview, but meet the requirements of the position, your resume will remain on active file for one year. During that year, you may be contacted at any time to be scheduled for an interview.
Veterans
Are you a veteran? If so, please indicate this information in your cover letter and/or resume. For information Veterans Preference, please visit the Civil Service Commission’s website at www.state.nj.us/csc/seekers/veterans/
