Paralegal

Paralegal

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief General Counsel or other General Counsel as assigned, incumbent performs a wide variety of specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible and requiring substantial knowledge and understanding of Indian law.

Minimum Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the locally established essential functions and meet the minimum education and experience qualifications described below satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required for a Paralegal of the Pueblo of Pojoaque serving the Pueblo’s Legal Department. It does not restrict the Pueblo’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities for this job at any time. Enhance Chief General Counsel’s and other General Counsel’s effectiveness by providing information management support representing the Chief General Counsel to others. Ensuring confidentiality and compliance of activities under an area of responsibility with financial, legal and administrative requirements; and providing information, recommendations and/or directions as may be requested by assigned administrator. Must have excellent organizational skills and manage files. Strong research and writing skills are necessary in drafting memorandums, correspondence and other documents. This description is divided into two main areas: Essential Job Duties and Job Functions. The Essential Job Duties are used to determine compliance with the Job Functions and are the basis for periodically evaluating the quality of work in-fact performed. Native American Employment Preference policy applies.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• AA/Certificate in Paralegal studies.
• Two years or more of relevant experience is desired.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word and Outlook.
• Must have good verbal and writing skills.
• Demonstrated strong research and legal administration skills.
• Basic clerical and PC skills required.
• Must never have been convicted of a felony, or convicted of a misdemeanor within the past year.
• Ability to work cooperatively and foster teamwork by helping co-workers with essential functions.
• Communicate effectively and courteously, both orally and in writing.
• Practice strong organization skills.
• Reading and writing proficiency in the English language.
• Client relationships, attention to detail, dependability, supply management, equipment maintenance, professionalism, informing others, handles pressure.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Reading and writing proficiency in the English language.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience working with Native Americans and Tribal Governments.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, Tribal Court procedures and rules of court.
• Supervisory experience.
• Project management experience.
• Experience handling travel logistics, scheduling and meeting planning.
• Establishment and maintenance of filing and information retrieval systems.
• Possess a New Mexico State Notary designation (desired).

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Provide independent paralegal and administrative assistance to the Legal Department. Legal work is supervised by an attorney.
• Perform many aspects of criminal, civil and administrative case preparation and facilitate the necessary steps to open/close case files, initiate/respond with other agencies, departments, courts and parties; and enter/retrieve both prior and current case status and statistical information via departmental database.
• Drafts resolutions, audit response letters, memos, reports, forms, correspondence, pleadings, court orders and other documents.
• Asist attorneys in preparing for court and prepare case files for upcoming court dockets.
• Maintain statistics and compile data from reports as directed.
• Periodically attend and be familiar with the Court hearing process.
• Photocopy, fax, scan, answer telephones, take messages, handle mail and email and perform other general office functions as needed.
• Perform departmental functions and special projects as directed.
• Welcomes Tribal Members by greeting them, in person or on the telephone; answering or referring inquiries to appropriate personnel; disbursing information as required.
• Directs Tribal Members by maintaining employee and department directories; giving instructions.
• Supports case preparation by preparing case summaries and materials for mediation conferences, monitoring and obtaining discovery responses; organizing materials for team case review.
• Keeps cases organized by establishing and organizing files; monitoring calendars; meeting deadlines; documenting actions; inputting information into file database and case management software; confirming case status with attorney.
• Maintains continuity among work teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
• Conducts research/investigation.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; webinars.
• Assist with scheduling meetings.
• Maintain file system by scanning documents as necessary.
• Maintains the law library.
• Maintains confidences and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
• Maintains office supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies.
• Maintains and follows retention order.
• Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Job Function:

• Independently use time efficiently to prioritize and perform multiple tasks to meet multiple concurrent deadlines and manage large volumes of work.
• Work calmly under pressure and cope with interruptions to meet deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with supervisors, peers, associates, subordinates, clients and general public.

Continue Personal Professional Development:

• Comply with office and personnel procedures.
• Participate in applicable job related trainings.

Physical, Mental, and Environmental Demands:

• Manual dexterity to operate computers and other necessary office equipment.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, multi-task environment.
• Able to bend, reach, kneel, twist and grip items in assigned work area.
• Able to lift up to 35 lbs.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed within an office environment with standard office equipment available. Work is generally sedentary in nature, but may require standing and walking for up to 10% of the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Work may include high stressful situations at times.

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job related instructions and perform job related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location