Senior Paralegal – Federal and Interstate Water Unit

Details

Section:

Natural Resources

Position Number:

LAA-00563-10/23

Salary Range:

$68,100.00 - $90,000.00 Yearly

Apply By:

Friday, November 10, 2023, 11:59 pm

FLSA:

Exempt

Work Unit:

Federal & Interstate/ Colorado River

Job Location:

1300 Broadway, Denver, CO, 80203 (Hybrid option available)

Release Date:

Monday, October 23, 2023

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Position Type:

Classified

The Natural Resources and Environment Section, Federal & Interstate Water Unit is seeking an experienced Senior Paralegal to join the small group of dedicated professionals working to protect Colorado’s interests in the Colorado River. The strongest candidates will be those with solid research experience and desire to apply your paralegal skills working on challenging and important matters in a public service role.

 

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Federal & Interstate Water Unit provides legal representation to state agencies regarding water rights and water issues related to Colorado’s interstate streams.

The Senior Paralegal will be part of a small team of paralegals supporting approximately 5-6 attorneys. In this role, the paralegal will be crucial in conducting legal research of state and/or federal databases; drafting, formatting and proofreading memos, briefs and other pleadings; and managing a caseload, ensuring deadlines are met. Responsibilities include:

• Conducting legal, legislative, historical, technical and factual research, investigations and analysis in response to specific assignments; producing documentation in support of findings and recommendations
• Drafting, formatting, and proofreading memos, briefs, and other pleadings
• Calendaring and managing deadlines, assisting in the gathering and organizing of potentially responsive information and documents from client agencies
• Maintaining regular and thoughtful communication with attorneys in the unit, the clients and other stakeholders
• Managing case or matter deadlines, and distinguishing between cases and matters that have substantive deadlines and those that do not.
• Assisting in the update and maintenance of computer systems and case files, including mechanics for assembling, indexing, filing, and archiving documents as well as monitoring document production in all phases of litigation.
• Preparing for trial by identifying and assembling exhibits; compiling evidence summaries and trial notebooks; scheduling witnesses and experts for testimony
• Utilizing databases to identify, categorize, retrieve, and produce documents
• Attending and collaborating at the trial or hearing, managing and tracking exhibits at trial
  • Preparing and serving witness or document subpoenas;
  • Conferring with court personnel regarding procedural requirements and special circumstances related to the courtroom or available technology.
• Assisting with the implementation of and compliance with procedural discovery requirements by drafting discovery requests
• Preparing privilege logs or Vaughn indexes of privileged documents, and managing the documents to be produced or withheld

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.

This recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Department of Law.

 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Minimum Qualifications and Substitutions:  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 years of work experience in a paralegal capacity which must have  included 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 year of work experience as a paralegal which must have included 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 year of work experience as a paralegal which included 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 suite
• Effective oral and written communication with internal and external customers
• Strong attention to detail and organization skills

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.  

• Outstanding research skill and experience conducting research using state and/or federal databases
• Federal district court filing experience, and experience applying rules and preparing briefs for various district courts
• Experience with federal Electronic Case Files (ECF) process requirements
• Paralegal experience in natural resources or water law
• Experience drafting, formatting, and proofreading briefs, memos and other documents
• Experience with litigation case management, setting calendars, and tracking deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively and thoughtfully with attorneys and client agencies

Conditions of Employment: 

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Hybrid work arrangements are available. This position must report to work in the office at least one day per week, subject to the demands of trial preparation or some other time sensitive matter that requires assistance in the office. 

Please view the full job announcement for more information, including information about compensation and benefits, and to apply online.