Paralegal Full Time

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Vermont has an opening for a Paralegal. The Office provides defense services to indigent persons in federal criminal cases and operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA), 18 U.S.C. §3006A This is a full-time on-site position at our office near the beautiful shores of Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont.

Position Description

The Paralegal will be a key member of our legal staff, and will perform the following:

• Working with attorneys in case preparation including trials, sentencing, and evidentiary hearings.
• Identifying the best methods and use of litigation support technology for the review, analysis, and organization of voluminous discovery, records, and electronically stored information.
• Preparing demonstrative evidence and exhibits for pleadings, hearings, and trials.
• Assisting attorneys at hearings, trials, and sentencings using presentation software such as Trial Director and PowerPoint.
• Providing training to legal staff on utilizing litigation support tools and best strategies for organizing and managing case discovery.
• Interviewing, meeting with, and maintaining communication with clients.
• Answering telephones at time.
• Some travel to court locations and detention facilities. Occasional working evenings and weekends may be required.

Requirements

• College degree and/or Paralegal Certificate from an accredited school and at least three years of paralegal experience and three years of general experience, or six years of combined comparable experiences.
• Advanced knowledge of legal terminology.
• Advanced knowledge and skills in Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), Adobe Acrobat, and database management. Familiarity with electronic court filings (PACER) and proficiency in litigation software a plus.
• Strong and effective communication skills, a sharp eye for detail, and meticulous organizational skills.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, creativity, initiative, tact, and discretion.
• Willingness to take initiative while working independently – and be a meaningful contributor of a hard-working and collegial team.
• Adeptness in working with diverse and underserved populations
• The successful candidate will be subject to an FBI background check as a condition of employment. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is also required upon hire.

Salary and Benefits

The starting salary range is from $70,180 – $118,201, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position includes regular U.S. Government employment benefits—generous paid time off including annual and sick leave and 11 federal holidays; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; a retirement system; opportunities to attend national and local trainings; and professional development and career advancement offerings. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit). The position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service.

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Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references no later than January 31, 2023, with “2023-01 Paralegal Application” in the subject line. The cover letter should highlight electronic document management experience.

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Vermont  is an Equal Opportunity Employer.