PARALEGAL TECHNICIAN 1

DEFINITION:

Under the limited supervision of a supervisory official, researches laws, 
rules, and regulations, investigates facts, and prepares documents for 
use in briefs, pleadings, appeals, and other legal actions; does other 
related duties as required.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes 
only.  A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed 
in this job specification.  Conversely, all duties performed on the job may 
not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Researches legal areas of concern to members of the legal staff relating 
to issues involving the work of the agency.

Conducts independent research into legal areas of concern regarding 
his/her own work and preparation.

Drafts memoranda, communicating the discussion of legal topics and 
the review and consideration of issues related to the work of the legal 
section, including memorialization of legal research.

Prepares formal correspondence to agencies, courts, legislators, and 
others with whom the employing agency must correspond, involving 
legal points of interest and matters in issue.

Prepares formal correspondence in response to citizen inquiries and  
other similar matters.

Prepares formal pleadings in the nature of complaints, answers,
motions, interrogatories, and other appropriate documents for 
utilization in proceedings before courts and agencies.

Reviews cited legal decisions to determine their precedential value.

Proofreads legal documents.

Organizes and maintains information related to the function of the 
legal section to ensure ready accessibility to such information, and 
retrieves such information upon request.

Assists in the instruction and guidance of clerical support personnel 
when directly related to the legal functions being performed.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording and information system used by the agency, office, 
or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's 
degree in Paralegal Studies or, an Associate Degree and a Certificate 
of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies.

NOTE:  Possession of a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree may be substituted 
for the above education.

NOTE:  Rule 1:20-20(a) prohibits attorneys who have been disbarred, 
resigned with prejudice, transferred to disability-inactive status, 
or under suspension from the practice of law in this or any other 
jurisdiction from being employed as paralegals/legal assistants in the 
State of New Jersey.

EXPERIENCE:

Two (2) years of experience as a paralegal in a law firm, legal tribunal, 
or legal department in a public or private entity whose primary function 
is the research, enactment, enforcement, or litigation of legal matters.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in 
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of fundamental legal principles and concepts.

Knowledge of research techniques.

Knowledge of legal publications and periodicals, and the procedures 
for extracting information contained therein.

Ability to interpret and apply New Jersey Statutes and regulations.

Ability to communicate ideas in written form in a clear, concise, 
and accurate manner.

Ability to understand the complexities and uses of pertinent and 
evidentiary laws, rules, and regulations.

Ability to prepare correspondence.

Ability to prepare technically sound, accurate, and informative 
reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Ability to establish and maintain records and files.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or 
related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  American Sign 
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of 
communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they 
can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable 
accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be made because it 
would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be 
eligible.


This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
30461
S
C
35
18
N/A
A17
-

This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

 4/27/2019