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Paralegal, Litigation

Employer
Baltimore County Public Schools
Location
Baltimore, MD, US
Salary
Competitive

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BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB TITLE : Paralegal, Litigation

REPORTS TO : Deputy General Counsel

DEFINITION : Establishes, monitors and maintains all files concerning litigation, administrative appeals, and claims made against the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) and the Board of Education. Handles all correspondence and communication with outside litigation counsel. Assists and supports attorneys in all aspects of litigation. Performs other duties as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES :
  • Oversees the receipt and docketing of lawsuits, administrative appeals (including student disciplinary matters), grievances and claims against the school system and assures timely responses to mandatory court deadlines.
  • Establishes and maintains a centralized database of appeals, claims and lawsuits filed. Obtains and organizes records from BCPS offices necessary for litigation. May draft documents for filing with state district and circuit courts, federal district and appellate courts, as well as federal and state administrative agencies, and reviews files in preparation of litigation.
  • Assists with compliance with court orders and subpoenas unrelated to litigation claims.
  • Prepares narrative reports on claims filed. Compiles information necessary for the annual Board of Education and Baltimore County capital and litigation audits.
  • Conducts legal research using Westlaw computer-based research, and law library, and other non-legal research tools.
  • Notifies MABE Insurance Pool of claims, actual and potential, which have legal and monetary impacts on the school system. Maintains MABE-related litigation and claim files and notifies Insurance Pool of action on open files.
  • Acts as liaison between the MABE Group Insurance Pool and the school system for active litigation.
  • Reviews documents to make recommendations for the dissemination of confidential/privileged records in response to school personnel inquiries, document productions, court-issued subpoenas, student educational record requests, and interagency requests.
  • Schedules BCPS employees for depositions, trials and preparatory sessions, administrative agency and court hearings. May draft affidavits for review by attorneys. Composes correspondence of complex, technical and/or highly confidential nature. Routes and/or answers correspondence and telephone calls not requiring attorney attention.
  • Answers Law Office phone lines and directs callers appropriately.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education, Training and Experience :
  • Graduation from an accredited college with an associate's degree.
  • Three years' experience performing paralegal duties involving litigation.
OR
  • Completion of an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal education program (associate's or bachelor's degree) with two years of experience performing paralegal duties involving litigation.
  • Experience in electronic filing processes (e.g., PACER and MDEC) preferred.

Note : Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a Paralegal Certificate required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
  • Ability to analyze and interpret the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) and the Annotated Code of Maryland.
  • Skill and ability to use a personal computer, including spreadsheet, database and word processing programs.
  • Knowledge of legal research (Westlaw), legal terminology, Maryland administrative law and appeal process, and statutory laws and regulations.
  • Knowledge of county, state, and federal court rules of procedure.
  • Knowledge of Maryland State Education Law, Maryland State Board of Education regulations, and federal education laws.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of the organization and stakeholders.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently, maintain high customer focus, and attention to detail.
  • Ability to respond courteously to phone queries.
  • Ability to be flexible and effective in a fluid environment with guidelines but significant variation.


PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS :
The work of this class is generally sedentary and performed in an office environment.

FLSA : Non-Exempt

SALARY: Grade 04 on the BCPS Non-exempt/Unit 9 payscale - salary $34.18 to $49.79

Eligible for the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System.

This document describes the duties and responsibilities of a position. It shall not be held to exclude duties not referenced nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.
  • Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). Each time an applicant applies to a job with BCPS, the application must be resubmitted. If an applicant started an application with BCPS in the past and at a later date decides to apply for additional positions, it is the applicant's responsibility to review the entire application and ensure that all data is up to date (for example, the applicant may need to add additional schooling or certifications, an additional work experience, or provide updated references). The applicant must remember to review the entire application each time for accuracy and submit each time for a new or different vacancy.
  • Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc. will not be accepted. Applicants should notify their reference proactively to inform them they will receive a form via email through a MAILBOT email address from Baltimore County Public Schools. Applicants should also inform their reference(s) of the job they are applying to.
  • Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
  • Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:
  • All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (State of Maryland, Senate Bill 315, effective October 1, 1986) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $81.00. An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
  • Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
  • If you have military experience you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
  • Official transcripts for all higher education must be received prior to contract signing.
  • Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
  • All newly hired personnel must attend a Badges and Benefits session.
  • Additional job verification will be required for salary credit.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 (443-809-8937). There is a compliance officer responsible for identifying, preventing, and remedying prohibited harassment concerning students. Complaints of harassment should be directed to the executive director, Department of School Safety and Security, 9600 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 118, Baltimore, MD 21220 (443-809-4360).

Contact Information

Michael Hodge
HR Supervisor
Business Services Staffing
6901 Charles Street, E Building
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 443-809-7872 or 7873
Fax: 410-296-0568
Email: mhodge@bcps.org

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