LEGAL ASSISTANT II AND III - WAILUKU/ KAHULUI, MAUI

This vacancy is with the Department of the Attorney General, Child Support Enforcement Agency Division.

Pay

• Legal Assistant II: $4,725 per month (SR-18, Step D)
• Legal Assistant III: $5,107 to $6,221 per month (SR-20, Step D to I)

Starting monthly salary for Step D is at the minimum rate of pay. For Step D to I, hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant's qualifications, and other relevant factors.

About the Role

Performs substantive legal work which attorneys otherwise perform, except that Legal Assistants may not give independent legal advice, appear in court, or perform other duties that may constitute the unauthorized practice of law.

Responsibilities

• Provide preliminary legal consultation services, including legal information, answering questions covered by attorneys' previous interpretations or decisions, or referring those not covered. Serve as a conduit between attorneys and clients.
• Perform legal research and prepare summaries of specific decisions, laws, statutes, and legal subjects.
• Prepare cases for court hearings, including the collection, analysis, and evaluation of evidence for use by attorneys in court.
• Write drafts or outlines of briefs, memos, legal opinions, stipulations, orders, and other legal documents for review, approval, and use by attorneys.

Level II: Independent worker in the series. Fully competent in basic Legal Assistant functions, procedures, techniques, and skills.

Level III: Journey worker level. Under the general supervision of an attorney, provides the full range of Legal Assistant services required in an assigned program area. Independently provides preliminary legal consultation services to line departmental personnel; establishes evidence and develops cases; performs legal research; prepares drafts, outlines, or summaries of legal subjects, laws, statutes, briefs, and other legal documents. May also include training new Legal Assistant employees.

Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements to qualify for the respective levels:

Legal Authorization to Work

The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government to be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Legal Assistant II

• General Experience/Education: Four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative, professional, or analytical work experience comparable to that acquired in four years of college leading to a baccalaureate degree; OR graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
• Specialized Experience: Two (2) years of paralegal work experience demonstrating knowledge of rules of evidence; the legal system and procedures; legal research methods and sources of legal information; ability to understand and explain legal processes and procedures; evaluate and analyze facts and legal issues; prepare legal reports, documents, and correspondence; speak clearly; and follow oral and written instructions.

Legal Assistant III

• General Experience/Education: Four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative, professional, or analytical work experience comparable to that acquired in four years of college leading to a baccalaureate degree; OR graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
• Specialized Experience: Four (4) years of paralegal work experience demonstrating knowledge of rules of evidence; the legal system and procedures; legal research methods and sources of legal information; ability to understand and explain legal processes and procedures; evaluate and analyze facts and legal issues; prepare legal reports, documents, and correspondence; speak clearly; and follow oral and written instructions.

Note: Experience as a legal stenographer or legal secretary involving only the checking, filing, and processing of legal forms and documents is not considered qualifying.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program that forgives the balance of federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. More information.

The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.