Paralegal – Child Protection

Job Description

Paralegal – Child Protection | State of Utah

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at State of Utah, located in Vernal, UT. The Attorney General’s Office is a well-established organization that serves as counselors, protectors, and stewards for the state. This office plays a vital role in defending both the U.S. and Utah constitutions, protecting residents, and preserving the resources that make Utah special. As a Paralegal in the Child Protection Division, this role provides essential legal support to Assistant Attorneys General in critical child welfare, abuse, and neglect cases. The work directly contributes to upholding justice, advising state agencies, and safeguarding the rights and interests of Utah’s citizens, making a significant impact on the welfare and safety of children and families.

The TL;DR
• Role: Senior
• Type: Full-Time
• Location: In-person, Vernal, UT
• Pay: $21.16–$48.87 hourly
• Team: Child Protection Division. Works closely with Assistant Attorneys General and other legal staff.
• Mission: To provide essential legal support to Assistant Attorneys General in child welfare, abuse, and neglect matters.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat

What You’ll Actually Do
• Case Management: Establish, organize, and maintain comprehensive case files, meticulously reviewing them for accuracy and ensuring robust document control, tracking, and tracing of all court and administrative filings.
• Legal Drafting: Draft various routine legal documents, including petitions, answers, motions, supporting memoranda, notices, subpoenas, and discovery documents such as interrogatories, requests for admission, and requests for production.
• Factual Investigation: Conduct thorough factual research, investigating cases to include gathering evidence and preparing for trial, and assisting attorneys in locating, obtaining, tracking, and disseminating critical information and evidence.
• Agency Collaboration: Communicate effectively and professionally with external agencies such as the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), law enforcement, and other relevant parties to gather essential case data.
• Deadline Adherence: Proactively maintain case files and document control, ensuring all strict deadlines are met for incoming and outgoing pleadings, and diligently proofreading all legal documents for content, grammar, and errors.

The Must-Haves
• Background: An associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a related bachelor’s degree with relevant paralegal experience; or national paralegal certification (NALA, NFPA, or NALS) with relevant paralegal experience.
• Experience: Demonstrated ability in independent decision-making, managing complex legal tasks, and effective case management, including knowledge of legal terminology, court processes, and procedures.
• Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat, along with strong communication and organizational skills, and a proven ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Bonus: Experience utilizing e-discovery tools such as Everlaw is preferred.