Paralegal 2

PNO-837-062624-LR

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) is a modern multi-modal gateway for global commerce and a vibrant cruise port.  Our competitive edge comes from our ability to deliver seamless, integrated logistics solutions between river, rail and road.  The alignment with New Orleans Public Belt (NOPB) strengthens our position as an integrated hub and supports our vision for regional freight-based economic development.

Port NOLA is committed to driving economic prosperity by continuing existing and maximizing additive maritime and freight activity within our jurisdiction and beyond.  To accomplish this and ensure broad impact, we work closely with our tenants, carriers, and customers, and are aligned with a range of partners including economic development and business-related organizations.

We are looking for a highly-motivated, first class Paralegal to join us in supporting the Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Railroad.

In this role, you will gain many intangible skills, such as time and task management, critical thinking and problem solving, the ability to communicate complicated problems in a concise manner with internal and external colleagues of all levels. If you are well-organized and able to manage multiple critical tasks under tight deadlines, have god customer service skills, and thrive in a fast-paced and diverse environment, this job is for you!

Port NOLA offers competitive benefits that prioritize safety, health and wellness for our employees. Employees have access to the following benefits:

• Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Medical and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Life Insurance options

• Long Term Disability Plan

• State of Louisiana LASERS state pension program

• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) with employer match

• Paid Louisiana State Holidays; and paid Annual and Sick Leave

• Wellness Center located in the Port Administration Building

• Ship Shape Wellness Program

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

• Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Lynetta Robinson

Port of New Orleans / Human Resources

P.O. Box 60046

New Orleans, LA 70160

(504) 528-3226

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Completion of a Paralegal Studies or Legal Assistant study program based at an accredited four-year college or junior college, or of any Paralegal Studies or Legal Assistant study program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) plus two years of paralegal experience.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

A Juris Doctorate will substitute for the study programs specified above.

Possession of the Certified Paralegal (CP) certification issued by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. will substitute for the study programs specified above.

NOTE:

Disbarred attorneys and those who have permanently resigned from the practice of law in lieu of discipline may not be hired in any position in connection with the practice of law. Suspended attorneys or an attorney transferred to disability inactive status during the period of suspension may not be hired in any position in connection with the practice of law unless such hiring is first preceded by the submission of a fully executed registration statement to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, on a registration form provided by the Louisiana Disciplinary Board, and approved by the Louisiana Supreme Court. See Rule 5.5(e)(1) of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct; In Re Davenport, 2021-01371 (La. 11/3/21) and 326 So.3d 882; In re Sharp, 2012- 2463 (La. 1/11/13), 106 So.3d 105. The hiring agency is responsible for conducting the necessary background checks prior to appointment.

NOTE:

Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.

Function of Work:

To perform a variety of legal tasks for an attorney.

Level of Work:

Experienced.

Supervision Received:

Broad review from an attorney.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Location of Work:

May be used by any state agency.

Job Distinctions:

Differs from an attorney by lack of a law degree and license to practice law in the state.

PARALEGAL 2

20% Litigation Preparation and Related Matters (generally requires supervision of attorney)

• Prepares subpoenas and verifies service

• Serves as court runner

• Drafting correspondence, including demand letters, briefs, memoranda, discovery responses, and form pleadings.

• Gather and review potential responsive discovery materials to determine responsiveness, relevancy, and whether any exceptions or privileges apply

• Interviews potential witnesses

• Arranges depositions, discovery related inspections and other meetings involving litigation

• Creates summaries of medical records, depositions, and other litigation matters

• Prepares and organizes trial exhibits, testimony and trial notebooks

20%   Contracts and other legal documents

• Assist in drafting and maintaining form agreements and leases

• Gather documents necessary for attorneys to review agreements and leases

• Draft correspondence regarding contract disputes or legal matters

• Draft responses to garnishment interrogatories and work with payroll and HR to gather responsive information

15%    Legal research

• Conducts legal research and prepares briefs for Board attorneys

• Maintains and organizes reference files

20%   Public Records Requests and Department Records

• Works with the Board's Custodian of Records to gather and review documents and other materials to determine responsiveness and whether any exceptions or privileges apply

• Assists with responding to public record requests

• Maintains the departments repository of records and manages the department's records retention schedule

15%   Administrative Assistance

• Prepares, processes, and secures approval of all requests for payment of services, publications, supplies, travel requests and reimbursements, requisitions, requests for payment, invoices, and other billing documents, capital equipment purchases, maintenance agreements, training requests, and promotional items for the Legal/Claims, and responds to requests for information and payment status updates regarding same.

• Prepares spreadsheets and documents to track expenses and monitors expenditures and ensures adherence to budgetary commitments in accordance with established policies.

• Maintains department litigation costs expense checking account and expense tracking report, and replenishes funds, as needed.

• Coordinates, organizes, and schedules meetings, appointments, trainings, seminars, travel arrangements and hotel accommodations, etc. for Legal/Claims Department.  Prepares conference room for meetings, including preparing setups such as coffee, soda, and water, and ordering food as appropriate.

• Manages individual and department calendars.

• Reviews, prioritizes, and distributes incoming mail.

• Maintain Legal/Staff Department electronic and paper working, official, administrative and personnel files; and responsible for copying, scanning, routing, filing, and disposing of documents, as requested.

• Assures telephone and clerical coverage for Department. Attends meetings and drafts minutes as requested.

• Independently composes and types correspondence and reports that may involve complex, sensitive, and non-routine matters by compiling information from various sources, such as reports, documents, correspondence, etc.

• Type claims summary, subrogation registers, and settlement memoranda, etc., and distributes or review and approval. Prepares final approved revisions and submits through Board's signature approval process.

• Prepares and submits in consultation with the Claims Manager the Port's Annual Reports to the Office of Workers' Compensation to maintain the Port's classification of a Self-Insured Employer,

• Prepares and submits in consultation with the Claims Manager documents, reports, and correspondence in preparation for Federal and State mandated audits.

10%   Miscellaneous

Other duties as directed by the General Counsel and/or Executive Counsel