Senior Paralegal

The Colorado Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (COMFCU) is seeking a Senior Paralegal to join its dynamic team! This unit offers the opportunity to be involved in meaningful work that directly impacts the lives of Coloradans. The COMFCU provides essential services to Colorado by conducting and supporting the criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions of fraudulent activity by Medicaid providers (such as hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, nursing homes, etc.) and of patient abuse (such as physical assault, sexual assault, homicide and embezzlement of patient trust funds). Our team works collaboratively with multiple state and federal law enforcement partners. We are seeking a self-motivated, team-oriented paralegal looking to make an impact in this critical area.

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Senior Paralegal position will support the Colorado Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (COMFCU) within the Consumer Protection Section. COMFCU conducts civil and criminal investigations, litigation, and prosecution of fraudulent activity and patient abuse and neglect by Medicaid providers, evaluating investigative results for prosecution in court. This unit provides training and technical assistance to other law enforcement agencies. The unit conducts investigations on a statewide and national basis with other law enforcement and regulatory agencies, often acting as the lead agency with other law enforcement agencies, within the State of Colorado and on a multi-state basis.

In this role, the paralegal will be crucial in supporting attorneys and investigators with managing investigations and litigation, ensuring deadlines are met, conducting legal research, and preparing legal drafts.  This position will be the primary paralegal for criminal matters but will also partner with another paralegal within the unit on civil matters.

Responsibilities include providing independent technical and legal assistance and support to members of the COMFCU in all aspects of their work, including investigation, research, case management, settlement and negotiation, discovery, litigation, and database/file organization and management.

The legal assistant in this position independently performs fully operational tasks such as document and file management, including scanning, filing and organizing pleadings, documents and files; conducting legal research and analysis on behalf of the attorneys; preparing and responding to discovery requests; drafting basic pleadings; ensuring witness and exhibit coordination for grand and petit jury trials and depositions, including management, presentation, and presentation of exhibits; tracking restitution, settlements and checks for criminal cases; and working on behalf of and at the direction of criminal attorneys.

Salary note: Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for dedicated public servants who want to be a part of very important work and thrive in a fast paced and collaborative environment. The ideal candidates for these roles should not be afraid to own projects and look for new ways to add value their team and clients.Minimum Qualifications:  Please document all relevant experience in detail on your application. Experience will not be inferred or assumed. Any part-time experience listed will be prorated.

Minimum qualifications are:

• Three (3) years of work experience in a paralegal capacity supporting multiple attorneys which must have included document management, discovery, filing pleadings, conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents and gathering and compiling data from legal references and resources.

OR

• Paralegal certificate obtained through either an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal studies program or an accredited institution AND one (1) year of paralegal experience supporting multiple attorneys which must have included document management, discovery, filing pleadings, conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents and gathering and compiling data from legal references and resources.

OR  

• A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school AND one (1) year of work experience in a paralegal capacity supporting multiple attorneys which must have included conducting document management, discovery, filing pleadings, conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents and gathering and compiling data from legal references and resources.

  Note: Candidates possessing a foreign degree must submit a translation (evaluation) of their degree from an accredited institution, such as The National Association of Credential Evaluations Services in order to be given credit for the degree.

Required Competencies: 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to research, analyze, and compile data
• Effective oral and written communication with internal and external customers
• Strong attention to detail and organization skills
• Time-management skills, including the ability to multi-task and effectively manage competing priorities in order to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work well with a diverse range of customers and work collaboratively on a team

Preferred Qualifications: In addition to the minimum qualifications, if you possess any of the following specifically include the details on your application. This information will be used to assess your qualifications and may be used to determine a top group of applicants.  

• Knowledge of both state and federal Criminal Law, as well as the applicable administrative rules, procedures, statutes, and provisions
• Experience as a paralegal in criminal law
• Paralegal experience in Medicaid or healthcare fraud
• Experience providing paralegal support for prosecution of criminal offenses
• Outstanding research skills and experience conducting research using state and/or federal databases
• Experience with discovery production software
• Federal district court filing experience, and experience applying rules and preparing briefs for various District and County courts at the state level
• Experience with federal Electronic Case Files (ECF) process requirements
• Experience drafting, formatting, and proofreading briefs, memos and other documents
• Experience with litigation case management, setting calendars, and tracking deadlines
• Experience preparing high volume of discovery requests and responses
• Experience in providing technical and legal assistance throughout the trial process
• Experience drafting legal documents, correspondence and pleadings
• Experience with court procedures for both civil and criminal matters
• Familiarity with the Colorado Medicaid Fraud Control Act and the Colorado False Claims Act
• Knowledge of healthcare laws and procedures
• Ability to communicate effectively and thoughtfully with attorneys, investigators, and client agencies

Conditions of Employment: 

•  Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Members of the Medicaid Fraud Control team work on a hybrid schedule and are expected to work in-office, especially during trial preparation. Hybrid options will be discussed with finalists.
• Occasional travel, including overnight travel, may be required. Travel may be up to 15% of the time and will vary based on case needs. A valid CO Driver’s License is required.