Paralegal Specialist Trainee

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)�is seeking qualified candidates to apply for a Paralegal Specialist Trainee position within the DMV’s Legal Services Division.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat We Can Offer You\r\n\r\n\r\n Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities.\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees\r\n\r\nPosition Details\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Full-time, 40 hours/week\r\n Monday-Friday\r\n 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. OR 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.\r\n Located in Wethersfield, CT\r\n Hybrid work opportunity\r\n\r\nThe Role\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Paralegal Specialist Trainee will be responsible for handling the DMV’s Freedom of Information requests, assisting legal personnel with litigated matters, and will perform other duties as assigned.\r\n\r\n\r\nThis employer participates in Employees | E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMISSION\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Connecticut DMV’s mission is to promote and advance public safety, security, and service through the regulation of drivers, their motor vehicles, and vehicle-related businesses.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPlease watch the video below to hear a message from our Commissioner at the CT DMV!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

\r\n\r\n\r\nFOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\n\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.��\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. �\r\n Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.�\r\n Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.�\r\n Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.�\r\n Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. �Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.�\r\n Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.�\r\n\r\n\r\n Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”\r\n Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).���\r\n Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!�\r\n Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Sharon McIntosh, at Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov.\r\n\r\n\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency planned training program approved by the Commissioner of Administrative Services receives formal and/or on-the-job instruction and training designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify for appointment to the Paralegal Specialist classification.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n Receives formal and/or on-the-job instruction and training in introductory administrative, para-professional and technical paralegal work designed to develop knowledge and skills needed in order to qualify for appointment and advancement to the Paralegal Specialist classification;�\r\n Performs a wide variety of increasingly complex, diversified and difficult duties as competencies are acquired during course of training period and in accordance with approved time schedule;�\r\n Processes increasingly involved legal work of an agency or commission;�\r\n Receives on-the-job-training regarding legal research, drafting legislation, advisory opinions, and various other legal documents;�\r\n Receives training on such functions as reproduction of legal documents and exhibits, maintains records of cases, pleadings, statutes and other related documents;�\r\n Prepares legal and administrative reports;�\r\n Receives training on interviewing witnesses and clients;�\r\n May answer routine correspondence and telephone inquiries;�\r\n May assist in review of cases and/or petitions for procedural compliance with agency administrative hearing rules and procedures;�\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n basic legal processes;�\r\n legal terminology and legal forms;�\r\n legal research techniques;�\r\n office management principles and practices;�\r\n statutes and regulations;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Skills\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;�\r\n oral and written communication skills;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Ability to\r\n \r\n read, understand and interpret laws, legal documents and other written material;�\r\n utilize computer software.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor's degree in legal studies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n Experience working in a law firm or a law department of an organization\r\n Experience gathering documents for Freedom of Information requests\r\n Experience working independently and in a team environment in a professional setting\r\n Experience gathering legal documents on litigated cases\r\n Experience handling and maintaining confidential information\r\n Experience communicating verbally and in writing in a professional setting\r\n Experience managing competing priorities while meeting deadlines\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n\r\n Candidates cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are completed.\r\n Incumbents in this class will be eligible for promotion without competitive examination upon satisfactory completion of a one (1) year training program.\r\n All appointments to this class shall be under terms of a training program and must be approved by the Department of Administrative Services prior to appointment to this class.\r\n\r\n\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.� As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.\r\n