Paralegal Officer GS12- 1-3 repost 4-24-24 continious

Salary: $48,270.14 - $53,217.83 Annually

Location : St. Thomas/ St. John, VI

Job Type: Classified

Job Number: 201904089

Department: |Office of Collective Bargaining- STT|

Opening Date: 02/05/2024

Description

Under the immediate supervisor of the Department's Head, the Chief Administrative Judge and Attorney or the Administrative Law Judge employee in this class works in hearing, appeals litigation or advisory services of the Department or Agency.
An employee in this class conducts research for the preparation of legal opinions on matters of interest to the Department; performs substantive legal analysis of requests for information under the provisions of various acts; or other similar legal support functions which require discretion and independent judgment in the application of a special knowledge of laws, practices and judicial or administrative proceedings.

The paralegal typically works in a close functional relationship with a legal professional who provide technical guidance and review and who ultimately have responsibility for the legal issues.

Duties and ResponsibilitiesDUTIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)

Presides over preliminary hearings and mediation proceedings and wrongful discharge cases.
Assists in legal research for the Administrative Law Judges and Attorneys in preparation for hearings.

Cross trains the administrative staff on both islands in order that the unit may flow more efficiently.

Prepares time and attendance for hearing and appeals staff in specific unit.
Examines case files to determine issues and sufficiency of evidence or, documentation.

Searches for legal precedents. analyzing their applicability and prepares digest of points of law involved.
Interviews and evaluates potential witnesses.
Prepares for hearings and court appearances by briefing attorneys or administrative law judges on the issues and by assembling and arranging case files, documents, and exhibits.

Testifies in court concerning exhibits prepared. Performs other related work as required

Minimum Qualifications

BA or BS Degree in Criminal Justice or related field or; High School Diploma supplemented with four (4) years working experience (identifying skills in analyzing problem, gathering information, and organizing and presenting a body of information in a narrative or graphic form) One (1) year of which must be in the legal or investigative field. OR;
A Paralegal Certificate plus a High School Diploma, and four (4) years working experience.

Position FactorsFACTOR 1- KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Knowledge of labor laws.

Knowledge and skill in fact finding. problem analysis, problem solving, writing. interpreting regulations and policies, and a practical understanding of the legal activities and substantive mission of the organization.

Knowledge of the principles. concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources such as agency manuals, directives, issuances, court reports etc.

Knowledge of formal or informal rules or evidence and skill necessary to evaluate the adequacy and/or advisability of evidence.

Ability to analyze data, facts, laws and rules thoroughly and accurately.

Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely.

FACTOR 2 - _SUPERVISORY CONTROL

Work is performed under the direction of an attorney, a Chief Law Judge or an Administrative Law Judge. Assignments pertaining to legal research. Mediation and preliminary hearings are received by the immediate supervisor. No supervision is required in preparing time and attendance, monthly reports and requests for supplies, however, the documents are submitted to the Administrative Law Judge for approval.

FACTOR 3 - GUIDELINES

Guidelines consists of particular titles of law and related rules and regulations. Department manuals providing policies and legal precedents of other cases.

FACTOR 4 - COMPLEXITY

The paralegal reviews documents to identify the material which may be pertinent to issues or cases; researches and extracts statistical data and narat1ve information relating to specif1ed matters from records.

FACTOR 5 - SCOPE AND EFFECT

The purpose of the work is to provide timely service of a personal nature, or impacts on the adequacy of research conclusions. It also involves the performance of specific, routine operations that includes a few separate tasks or procedures, such as looking for specific items of factual information in subpoenaed documents and tabulating and summarizing data, or revising recent case decisions and summarizing the factual and legal issues and findings.

FACTOR 6 - PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are made through the mail, in person, and by telephone to claimants, attorneys, business offices and private agencies.

FACTOR 7 - PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

The purpose of the contacts are made to obtain, clarify or give facts or information relating to such matters as type of cases filed, appearance date, request for materials and additional documentation necessary to continue hearings.

FACTOR 8 - PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary. However, there may be some physical activity such as walking standing or driving an automobile.

FACTOR 9 - WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an office setting. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of offices and meeting rooms.

The Government of the Virgin Islands aspires to provide the highest level of comprehensive benefits, services and programs to eligible employees, retirees, and their dependents which:

• Meet and anticipate their individual needs;
• Assure the GVI's competitiveness with other employers to attract and retain employees;
• Maximize cost effectiveness; and,
• Assure optimal health and productivity of employees.

To achieve this goal, from time to time, the carrier for the GVI's insurance may change. Please contact the Group Health Insurance Office of the Division of Personnel in St. Thomas and St. Croix at for more information regarding carriers.

Medical and Dental Coverage
Enrollment
The Virgin Islands government offers to full-time employees and their eligible dependents, a group health and dental insurance plan.

Full-time employees must enroll within thirty-one (31) days of hire unless they can provide proof of medical coverage from another source. An employee who does not enroll within 31 days of employment will be automatically enrolled in the health insurance plan with single coverage.

If an employee fails to enroll dependents within the initial eligibility period he/she must wait until a period of "open enrollment" is announced or have a qualifying event as determined by the health insurance carrier to enroll dependents or make changes to their coverage.

Effective Date of Coverage
If enrollment form.