Paralegal/Legal Assistant 2

Paralegal/Legal Assistant 2
(230002DT)

Job Duties

About Us:

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision: A Fair Justice System.
Our Values: Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Our commitment to inclusion is inseparable from our commitment to a fair justice system. We strive to ensure inclusive spaces and services for our staff, our clients, and Ohio’s diverse communities. We are committed to building a work environment where all our team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public. We can best meet our public defense mission through a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace, where employees thrive, our mission is accomplished, and Ohioans are served. #TeamOPD is grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion as we work together to pursue fairness and justice for all people.

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About the Position and What You'll Do:

You will provide paralegal, clerical, and administrative support as an integral member of the Legal Department team that is dedicated to providing zealous and creative representation to incarcerated people in Ohio. The Legal Department provides criminal defense for people who are incarcerated in Ohio; those services include appeals, postconviction petitions, post release revocation hearings, and parole hearings.

You will join a four-person Legal Department Core Support team, under the leadership of the Department’s Program Administrator, and work closely with that team as well as the Department’s 26 attorneys. We are seeking a collaborative, organized, and motivated candidate. You will prepare, review and edit various legal documents, including briefs and other pleadings for trial and appellate cases in all state and federal courts.

This position is assigned to work in the office at least one day per week for 8 hours, or two days per week for a minimum of 4 hours each day. Based on demands, you may also be directed to come into the office on additional days of the week as needed. When not required to be in the office, you have the opportunity to work from home, so a successful candidate will be self-motivated and comfortable communicating via Teams or other conferencing software during those times.

Your job duties will include but are not limited to:

• Prepare or assist in preparing briefs and other pleadings for appellate cases for filing in all state and federal courts

• Transcribe, format, type and proof documents requiring use of legal terminology

• Proofread final written material for completeness and accuracy

• Compile and produce appendix materials for briefs according to various court rules

• File legal documents electronically and/or manually in federal, state and local courts

• Conduct research using legal research tools, computer applications, and online databases

• Monitor and maintain several Excel spreadsheets containing deadlines; local rules of courts’ filing requirements; and confidential attorney credentials

• Prepare legal correspondence from attorneys to prosecutors, courts, court personnel, defense attorneys and clients

• Schedule telephone calls, visits and videoconferences to various institutions and prisons

• Act as liaison between attorneys, courts and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction institutions

• Screen calls and visitors for attorneys and other personnel, and convey messages

• Assist in maintaining office computer case management/docketing system (e.g., enter data into computer, use docketing program to print and produce reports).

• Maintain calendar of appointments for attorneys and keeps staff abreast of hearings and court filing deadlines

• Make travel arrangements and related logistical support for attorneys

• Scan, sort and distribute incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail

• Attend team and department meetings and contribute to initiatives and projects

The Paralegal/Legal Assistant 2 position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 29. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $21.38 per hour) associated with this position. These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases: with continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. The State of Ohio typically has Cost of Living Adjustments that increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year.

The Paralegal/Legal Assistant 2 position is assigned to the State of Ohio’s OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 29. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $21.38 per hour) associated with this position. These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases: with continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. The State of Ohio typically has Cost of Living Adjustments that increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year.

FY23 Paralegal/Legal Assistant 2 Pay Range Steps

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7
$21.38 $22.00 $22.81 $23.68 $24.71 $25.85 $27.03

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Tamra Meister, ADA Coordinator, at 614-466-5394 or [email protected].

What’s in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered beginning the first day of the month following your start date. You ahve three options to choose from.
Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free and coverage is offered after one year of continuous service.
Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
11 paid holidays per year
Childbirth/Adoption leave
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.
Deferred Compensation

The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.