PARALEGAL

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Paralegal.  Under direct supervision of a licensed attorney, this position will conduct legal research and write/prepare legal memoranda, legal opinions, or other documents as assigned by and under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney.  The position will prepare case notes, place court orders in legal files, and provide assistance in advancing hearings as assigned.  This position is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to use their paralegal skills to benefit child welfare services.  DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program.  The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent legal and organizational skills and strong leadership capabilities.  We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join our innovative team to help make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Job Responsibilities

1. Serves as Paralegal

2. Attends court hearings as directed

3. Reviews all files on call sheet to ensure that files have been received

4. Performs special projects and prepares statistical or other reports

5. Receives and processes all subpoenas received by staff; arranges for production of records or attendance of worker

6. Obtains legal materials upon request of staff attorneys, either from law libraries or from other Department offices

7. Under direction of staff attorneys, files court documents and serves legal papers

8. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with coursework in such areas as legal, pre-legal, English, statistics or directly related coursework

Preferred Qualifications

1. 2 years of experience in a law office or legal area of a public or business organization applying working knowledge of precedent cases, writing style format, and vocabulary appropriate to the legal profession

2. 2 years of experience in a law office or legal area of a public or business organization applying working knowledge of technical report writing, vocabulary, and word usage

3. 2 years of experience in a public or business organization utilizing the ability to write in a clear and concise manner

4. 2 years of experience in a law office or legal area of a public or business organization utilizing the ability to analyze and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and drafting written material to legal staff in a clear and logical format

5. 2 years of experience in a public or business organization applying the ability to organize and present statistical data

Employment Conditions

1. Requires the ability to pass a background check

2. Requires possession of a valid driver’s license and ability to travel

About the Agency

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus. The Office of Legal Services works in a supportive capacity to ensure Departmental adherence to all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and court orders.