Paralegal

Job Posting Title

Paralegal

Agency

265 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Supervisory Organization

Department of Education-Oliver Hodge Education Building

Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank)

June 30, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

up to $60,000/year based on education and experience

Discover the Benefits of Joining Our Team! Are you ready to take the next step in your career with an agency that values your well-being? Look no further! At OSDE, we're proud to offer a robust benefits package designed to support you and your family every step of the way.

• Generous Benefits Allowance: Up to $21,099.12 annually, tailored to family

size, for purchasing benefits.

• Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Choose from a variety of insurance plans

with no pre-existing conditions, exclusions, or limitations.

• Flexible Spending Accounts: Manage healthcare expenses and/or

dependent care with ease.

• Full Participation in TRS: Enjoy employer-covered contributions (7.5% of

annual salary) for Teacher's Retirement System participation.

• Generous Leave Policy: Full-time employees receive 15 days of vacation

and 15 days of sick leave in their first year.

• Paid Holidays: Benefit from 11 paid holidays per year.

• Employee Discounts: Access discounts with various companies and

vendors.

• Longevity Bonus: Earn a bonus after completing two years of service, with

bonuses continuing annually thereafter.

• Compensatory Time: FLSA Exempt and Nonexempt employees receive

compensatory time.

• Employee Assistance Program: Access support and resources through our

Employee Assistance Program.

Job Description

ABOUT US

At the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), we go beyond merely offering jobs - we actively seek out extraordinary individuals to join our team. As the primary agency entrusted with overseeing K-12 public education in Oklahoma, we are steadfastly devoted to making a meaningful impact on the districts and students we serve. Our exceptional team at OSDE is renowned for its commitment to superior customer service, innovation, and unwavering dedication to shaping a brighter future for students across the state. We work hand-in-hand with over 500 school districts and maintain a close partnership with the legislature, ensuring that each Oklahoma student receives the exceptional education they deserve. If you're in search of a fulfilling career that allows you to make a profound difference in the lives of children, you've arrived at the right place. Join us in our mission to empower students and elevate the standard of education in Oklahoma. For further insights into OSDE, please visit our website at www.sde.ok.gov.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Paralegal to join our legal team. This position will serve as a confidential paralegal to the General Counsel and the legal team, providing crucial support in implementing policies, procedures, and directives. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and a commitment to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information.

Please note: this role does not allow for any form of remote work, including telecommuting or hybrid arrangements. The nature of this position necessitates a consistent in-person presence. Prospective candidates should be aware that the responsibilities associated with this role require physical presence at the designated workplace in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree in paralegal, legal studies, or related field or Paralegal Certification; [official transcripts required upon hire];

• Two (2) years of paralegal experience;

• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of relevant experience for each year of the required education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field;

• Experience in government or education-related settings.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future;

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check;

• Must possess a valid driver's license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• File and Record Organization: Responsible for the organization of all files and records, including those of a confidential, complex, or otherwise sensitive nature.

• Confidential Support: Serve as a confidential paralegal to the General Counsel and legal team in implementing policies, procedures, and directives for the Oklahoma State Department of Education

• Litigation Assistance: Draft correspondence, and assist in the preparation, processing, and handling of agency litigation files.

• Document Review: Review letters, memos, briefs, and other legal documents, making appropriate edits before they are released from the legal department.

• Drafting Memoranda: Draft memoranda and directives informing the staff of administrative decisions and matters of department policy.

• Legal Drafting: Assist in drafting orders, judgments, pleadings, and briefs for submission to appropriate courts.

• Legal Research and Investigation: Under the consultation and general supervision of the General Counsel, perform legal research, investigate facts, and prepare documents and reports.

• Complaint Investigation: Gather and summarize complaint investigations to present to the legal team.

• Professional Demeanor:Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude at all times; ability to build and maintain positive work relationships; demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of your work; ability to display a high level of professionalism in communication, behavior, and appearance; ability to accept constructive feedback to increase performance.

• Attendance: Regular and reliable in-person attendance is required to ensure quality teamwork, performance, productivity, and collaboration; ability to demonstrate a commitment to your work and team by committing to punctuality and dependability in the work environment; this includes arriving to work on time, being present, engaged, and available to colleagues, internal and external customers.

• Innovation: Ability to identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the education landscape; ability to think critically, explore new ideas, and embrace innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes for all students; apply creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking in finding solutions to complex problems and driving positive change in the field of education.

• Efficiency: Ensure our resources are utilized effectively, and our operations are streamlined; optimize our processes, eliminate redundancies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and performance; proactively identify opportunities for efficiency gains and implement best practices.

• Superior Customer Service: Willingness to go above and beyond to provide outstanding assistance that exceeds expectations, ability to create positive experiences and build relationships based on trust and satisfaction; maintain a positive and helpful attitude using the appropriate language, tone, and behavior to reflect the agency in a way that leaves a favorable impression.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

• Effective Communication: Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas, while also listening actively to others and demonstrating understanding; Ability to demonstrate empathy by showing respect and understanding for the feelings and perspectives of others while paying close attention to non-verbal cues; Ability to adapt communication style to suit the needs of the audience and situation.

• Take a proactive approach and work independently: Be resourceful and self-motivated, prioritize work effectively by managing your time well, anticipating challenges, developing creative solutions, paying close attention to detail, and taking ownership of your work.

• Collaborate as a team player: Ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal. Including being open-minded, respectful, and responsive to others' ideas and perspectives. Sharing knowledge and experience while being committed to achieving the teams' objectives and understanding the importance of working collaboratively to achieve success.

• Demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills: Ability to set clear objectives, create a plan of action, break down complex tasks into manageable components, delegate tasks when necessary, and establish a realistic timeline to meet deadlines consistently while developing contingency plans to ensure adaptability to changing circumstances.

• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues, patterns, connections, and develop effective logical solutions; Ability to think critically, anticipate potential problems, and develop innovative solutions to address them.

• Ability to function well in an, at times, stressful, fast-paced, and deadline-driven environment: Ability to work under pressure and in situations where time is limited whilst remaining calm and focused, prioritizing tasks, and adapting to changing circumstances.

• Ability to build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders: Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration, leverage resources effectively, and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes. Possess strong interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and manage difficult conversations constructively and professionally.

• Knowledge of technology and ability to use it to maximize efficiency and services: Ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve customer experiences; Familiarity with software, hardware and other relevant technological tools while being able to learn new technologies as they emerge.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Location: Oliver Hodge Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Work is typically performed in a climate-controlled office setting with exposure to moderate noise. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to talk, stand, and walk. This position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computers and phones. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time;

• Ability to stand, reach, and bend 50% of the time;

• Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, and office telephone 75% of the time;

• Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time;

• Communicate with others accurately and effectively 100%;

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

TRAVEL

Less than 10% of in-state/out-of-state travel may be required to conduct, facilitate, and/or attend meetings and training.

EEO STATEMENT

The Oklahoma Department of Education provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, OSDE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to provide a general understanding of the position's essential duties and responsibilities. It is not an employment contract or agreement, and the duties may change as per business needs without prior notice. The employer reserves the right to modify, revise, or terminate any policies, procedures, or benefits described herein at any time, with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.