Legal Assistant I - III - Family Division - Child Protection

Introduction

Delaware''s Attorney General, the State''s chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State.

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In meeting this mission, Attorney General Kathy Jennings is supported by teams of talented lawyers and staff in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Fraud and Consumer Protection, and Civil Rights and Public Trust Divisions. Each of the more than 500 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are dedicated to serving all Delawareans with integrity and passion.

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Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal special investigators, victim service specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff, prosecute criminal cases, enforce consumer laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public''s access to open government, protect the abused, and much more.Â

Summary Statement

The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking exceptional, highly motivated individual to join the Family Division as Legal Assistant in New Castle County.

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The Family Division seeks a Legal Assistant to provide clerical/administrative support to Deputy Attorneys General and assist in processing complex filings in Dependency and Neglect Custody hearings, Termination of Parental Right hearings, and Child Protection Registry Substantiation hearings before the Family Court. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, setting up case files, typing and preparing various documents, requesting reports, responding to discovery, managing calendars, filing documents and preparing witness lists.Â

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.Â

• Acts in liaison capacity between superior and various interested parties and judicial and/or court staff, clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, law enforcement agents, elected and/or appointed officials and the public to gather, clarify and provide information regarding case facts and status.Â
• Establishes and maintains case files ensuring that the files contain complete and accurate information essential to each step of the proceedings from pre-hearing and/or pre-trial through trial and sentencing.Â
• Interviews involved parties such as clients, defendants, plaintiffs, victims, witnesses, arresting officers, or medical personnel to gather discovery material, evidence for case preparation and to complete various legal and/or court documents.Â
• Reviews various reports as well as other information such as police reports, medical reports, retail, surveillance, computer files/electronic documents, body worn camera and video/audio; summarizes pertinent details of the case for Deputy Attorneys General; follows up as necessary for additional documents; drafts answers to litigation complaints and responses to form 30 interrogatories; issue subpoenas to obtain medical, insurance, and employment records; serves and prepares discovery; and makes required redactions for discovery and case preparation.Â
• Reviews law sources such as case law, judicial decisions, statute law, codes, regulations, and legal and subject matter articles to ensure issues are properly cited and provides superior with written details of similar cases including findings, judicial decisions, and memorandum/opinions of law.Â
• Prepares legal pleadings, e.g. briefs, motions, indictments, information and appeals.Â
• Provides reports and recommendations for new/revised operating policies/procedures.Â
• Reviews state and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance of legal actions/processes.Â

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant I

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

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1.        Three years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.

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           OR

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1.        Possession of an associateâs degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.

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           OR

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1.        A bachelorâs degree in criminal justice or a related field.

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           OR

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1.        Three yearsâ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

2.        Three yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

3.        Three yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

4.        Two yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

5.        Two yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

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JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant II

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

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1.        Five years of employment with the Department of Justice in a similar capacity.

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           OR

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1.        Possession of an Associateâs degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA or Department approved program.

2.        Two years of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

3.        Two yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

4.        Two yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

5.        Two yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

6.        Two yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

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           OR

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1.        Possession of a bachelorâs degree in criminal justice or a related field.

2.        One year of experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

3.        One year experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

4.        One year experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

5.        One year experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

6.        One year experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

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           OR

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1.        Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree.

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           OR

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1.        Six yearsâ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

2.        Six yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

3.        Six yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

4.        Five yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

5.        Five yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

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JOB REQUIREMENTS for Legal Assistant III

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

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1.        Possession of an Associateâs degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA approved program OR a bachelorâs degree in criminal justice or a related field.

2.        Five yearsâ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

3.        Five yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

4.        Five yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

5.        Five yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

6.        Five yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

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           OR

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1.        Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree.

2.        Three yearsâ experience in preparing and maintaining legal documents and case files.

3.        Three yearsâ experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.

4.        Three yearsâ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

5.        Two yearsâ experience in drafting legal documents and such as legal briefs or memoranda of law including presenting facts, setting out and analyzing legal issues and applying legal precedents.

6.        Two yearsâ experience in interviewing using structured or unstructured interview techniques to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.

Additional Posting Information

· Please be sure to upload a recent copy of your resume, as you complete the application process for this posting.

· This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System.Â

Conditions of Hire

· Employment is contingent upon satisfactory background checks.

· Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire.

· Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

· This position is part of a job classification that is represented by an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization), as elected by employees in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapters 13 and 16. While this position is now covered under a bargaining unit, a collective bargaining agreement is currently under negotiation, and terms and conditions of employment may be subject to change upon its ratification.

Benefits

· Employment is contingent upon satisfactory background checks.

· Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire.

· Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

· This position is part of a job classification that is represented by an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization), as elected by employees in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapters 13 and 16. While this position is now covered under a bargaining unit, a collective bargaining agreement is currently under negotiation, and terms and conditions of employment may be subject to change upon its ratification.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an auxiliary aid or service, please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

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The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware, including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.