Paralegal

What You Will Be Doing

This position works in the Public Defender Agency’s Kenai office and is responsible for providing litigation assistance to attorneys representing clients in criminal, civil, child in need of aid, and commitment cases. It also assists attorneys in organizing and managing cases, providing direct client assistance, and using the internal case management system to draft letters and pleadings among other duties.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in many types of cases and the Public Defender Agency is appointed by the Court to represent people who are unable to afford counsel on their own. Paralegals are an integral part of providing that representation and protecting our clients’ rights. They work closely with attorneys and other Agency staff to acquire complete records and transcripts, provide high‑level assistance on litigation preparation, and communicate with clients frequently in writing and over the phone.

This position is essential to the success of this section by providing advanced administrative and legal support.

Support staff have the opportunity to learn about the legal system and hone their administrative skills, furthering career development in the legal field. They work as a team to provide meaningful contributions, impact people’s lives, and protect constitutional rights of all Alaskans. Many paralegals transition to investigative and administrative management positions within the Agency, the State of Alaska, or the private sector.

Your first 12 months are probationary and considered a training period, with formal and on‑the‑job training with your supervisor and colleagues.

The office is located in Kenai, Alaska. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, with an hour lunch  position interacts with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and law office assistants in the Kenai office and communicates regularly with co‑workers across the state, clients of the Agency, and court system staff.

This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications.
Please ensure your application demonstrates how you have gained the required competencies.

• Attention to Detail: thorough and conscientious.
• Interpersonal
  
  Skills:
  
  understanding, courteous, empathetic, capable of dealing with difficult or distressed individuals.
• Reading: understand and interpret written material, including technical documents.
• Written Communication: clear, concise, organized, and persuasive writing.

Equivalent to post‑secondary or vocational education in a legal support area or experience preparing, reviewing, or processing legal documents such as affidavits, court reports, demand letters, discovery requests, hearing transcripts, memoranda, letters of agreement, motions, legal opinions, subpoenas, and writs.

Successful completion of training under a formally established Paralegal 1‑2 flexible staffing training plan with the State of Alaska; OR any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

• Adaptability: adjust work by gathering information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands.
• Administrative Law: knowledge of state and federal administrative laws and procedures.
• Attention to Detail.
• Interpersonal Skills.
• Stress Tolerance: calm and effective handling of high‑stress situations.

Equivalent to post‑secondary education in a legal, paralegal, criminal justice, or similar area or experience performing paraprofessional legal investigation, discovery, and providing support in case preparation, reports, documents, and exhibits.

Positions may require incumbents to obtain a Notary Public upon hire and to pass a criminal background check to meet security requirements for accessing criminal record networks.

Some positions are required to work regular overtime during the standard workweek, on weekends, and/or holidays.

• College transcripts (if education is used to meet minimum qualifications).
• Three professional references, including current contact information for two supervisors.

Apply only through the Workplace Alaska website or by hard copy. For instructions, use the Workplace Alaska “

How to Apply

” webpage.

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation or assistance may contact the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.