Paralegal

Initial Posting Date:

Application Deadline:

Agency:

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Position Title:

Job Description:

Interviews: Generally, interviews will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline. Scheduling interviews may take longer, depending on the number of applications.

Who we are

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work experience, education, and any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.

Benefits to you

• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
• The hourly equivalent for this position is $30.31- $47.03, and the annual salary for this position is $63.050- $97,822.
• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (including ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job!
• Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.

Location Highlights

The Oregon Court of Appeals (COA) is Oregon's intermediate appellate court, serving the entire state.  The court was created by statute in 1969, and its jurisdiction was established by Oregon's legislative assembly.  The Court of Appeals receives every appeal or judicial review taken from Oregon's trial courts and administrative agencies, with the exception of a limited number of appeals that go directly to the Oregon Supreme Court.  We have a high caseload compared to our number of judges and staff, which means that the court's workload is very demanding.

Position Highlights

The Oregon Court of Appeals, in Salem, Oregon is hiring a Paralegal.

In this role…

You will evaluate and process complex filings for the Court of Appeals. You will create and post new cases, review filings for timeliness, and confirm that the court has legal jurisdiction. You will review the trial court register to verify the appealability of judgments and orders. You will ensure that case titles are accurate, that parties have been properly served, and that any required fees have been paid. You will write orders and memos for judges and the Appellate Commissioner to review and sign. You will refer cases to the Appellate Settlement Conference Program and will prepare and issue orders on motions to consolidate. You will also prepare fee‑waiver deferrals and denial orders for the Appellate Commissioner, post and issue orders, and route motions and responses to the Appellate Commissioner’s office.

You will help our customers by answering detailed questions about appellate procedures and processing payments for various fees. You will also help judicial assistants, appellate court staff, and the Appellate Commissioner’s office by providing information about filings and case titles. The support you provide will be at the service counter, over the phone, and in writing.

You may also be assigned other paralegal work such as analyzing and processing complex motions and briefs, issuing the court’s opinions, and reviewing and preparing cases for issuance of appellate judgments. You may spend part of your time assisting with court calendaring, identifying overdue filings, processing orders related to failures to comply with court rules, and routing filings and deliveries received at the court’s public service counter.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs. 

Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Cover Letter (REQUIRED)

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume / Cover Letter section of the application. The attached cover letter file should include your name (ex: Cover Letter – First Name Last Name).
• In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to each of the Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
• Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”
• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.
• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.

Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume / Cover Letter section of the application. The attached resume file should include your name (ex: Resume – First Name Last Name).  

OR

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Document Format

• Preferred format: PDF (.pdf, .tiff) or Microsoft Word (.docx)
• Acceptable format: Image (.jpg, .jpeg, .png) or Notepad (.txt)
• We are unable to accept: Apple (.pages), Google Docs (.gdoc), ZIP (.zip), and Microsoft Word ’97-2003 (.doc)

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application.

All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have at least two (2) years of post-secondary education in criminal justice, judicial or public education, or a related field OR a paralegal certificate from an American Bar Association approved paralegal program.

AND

At least three (3) years’ experience as a paralegal or progressively responsible clerical experience including tasks such as processing and preparing legal documents, legal case preparation, and legal research.

OR

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to five (5) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

None.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Experience performing a variety of clerical or administrative support tasks with strict, and often competing, deadlines in a fast-paced business or professional setting.
• Experience providing customer service to a variety of individuals in challenging circumstances.
• Experience reviewing legal documents for accuracy and content.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, legal research methods, legal concepts, and state and federal law.
• Experience working for a court or in another legal environment.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time position, and the work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  This position is FLSA Non-Exempt and is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per work week.
• Occasional after-hours or overtime work may be required.
• Hybrid work may be available for this position after successful completion of an initial in-office training period, demonstrated ability to work independently and proficiency in key processes, depending on the needs of the court. All hybrid work assignments begin, end, or change only with administrative authority approval. In-person meetings and in-person attendance for training sessions and other office events may be required, regardless of any prior approved and scheduled remote workdays.
• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma.

• Lifting and maneuvering large files and boxes of records that weigh up to 30 pounds several times per week. 
• Long periods of sitting or standing while completing work assignments.

• Smoking and vaping are not permitted in the work area.
• Regular use of the following equipment: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copy machine, fax machine, and scanner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Criminal Background Check

You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility

OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies

Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Age-Based Discrimination

OJD does not request or require your age, date of birth, or attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

Veterans’ or Oregon National Guard Preference

Eligible veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking for documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations

Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity

As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits

Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.
• Workday related information and resources are available here.
• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.