Paralegal 1/2 Flex (PCN 021254) - State of Alaska

What you will be doing:
This position works in the Public Defender Agency’s Kenai office and is responsible for providing litigation assistance to attorneys representing clients in criminal, civil, child in need of aid, and commitment cases. This position is also responsible for assisting attorneys in organizing and managing cases, providing direct client assistance, and utilizing the internal case management system to draft letters and pleadings among other duties.

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in many types of cases and the Public Defender Agency is appointed by the Court to represent people who are unable to afford counsel on their own. Paralegals are an integral part of providing that representation and protecting our clients' rights.  Paralegals work closely with attorneys and other Agency staff to acquire complete records and transcripts, provide high-level assistance on litigation preparation, and communicate with clients frequently in writing and over the phone. This position is essential to the success of this section by providing advanced administrative and legal support.

The benefits of joining our team:
Support staff at the Public Defender Agency have the opportunity to learn about the legal system and hone their administrative skills to further their career development in the legal field. Most importantly, they get to do this while working as a team to provide meaningful contributions to Alaska, as the work we do impacts people’s lives and protects the constitutional rights of all Alaskans.  This important work helps improve case outcomes for individuals charged with crimes, helps re-unify families, and provides the foundation for successful re-entry into communities. Many paralegals use the skills and experience they gain to transition to investigative and administrative management positions within the Agency, the State of Alaska, or the private sector.

Your first 12 months in the Agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal and on-the-job training with your supervisor and your colleagues.

The working environment you can expect:
The office is located in Kenai, Alaska. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM with an hour lunch at noon. The position interacts and works closely with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and law office assistants in the Kenai office and communicates regularly with co-workers across the state, clients of the Agency, and court system staff.    

Who we are looking for:
To be successful in the position, the ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities and experience:

• Technological Competency: Competency with standard office equipment is expected and computer literacy and fluency with Microsoft Office is essential to handling the large volume of digital documents and evidence in cases and utilizing the digital case management system.
• Effective Communicator: Clear and professional oral and written communication is essential to anyone working in the legal field.
• Prioritization: The ability to handle shifting priorities in high-pressure situations will enable success in the position.
• Ability to Maintain Confidentiality: Strict confidentiality is required due to the nature of the work performed.
• Independent Worker: Taking initiative, exercising sound judgment, and following directions is critical in our offices.

Special Note:

• Valid Driver's License desired.

• The Public Defender Agency's user authorization with the Department of Public Safety for allowing access for some employees' access to the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) requires that this position is able to pass a criminal background investigation per 13 AAC 68.215.

If this sounds like your skill set, or one you would like to develop, please submit an application through Workplace Alaska.