PARALEGAL SERIES-**REPOST** (PARALEGAL I & II -Contractual)

Introduction

RECRUITMENT REPOST. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT REAPPLY.\r\nThe\r\nOffice of the Public Defender is a statewide independent agency charged with\r\nproviding superior legal representation to indigent defendants. The agency’s\r\nvision is Justice, Fairness and Dignity for All. Employees are committed to the\r\ncore values of culture of excellence, client centered representation, tenacious\r\nadvocacy, and are united in achieving the agency’s mission.\r\nThe Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is seeking a Paralegal\r\nto serve as an essential team member in MOPD’s Decarceration Initiative. This\r\nposition is funded through a grant dedicated to supporting access to counsel\r\nfor individuals serving long-term sentences who are eligible for sentence\r\nreconsideration under the Juvenile Restoration Act or the Second Look Act.\r\nNote: This is an 18-month grant-funded contractual\r\nposition.\r\nThe\r\nParalegal I/II will serve as an essential team member by coordinating\r\nindividual client eligibility determinations, tracking referrals, and\r\nfacilitating attorney assignments. In addition to assisting in organizing\r\ntraining programs and technical support activities for panel attorneys, pro\r\nbono lawyers, and staff, the position supports litigation by performing legal\r\nresearch, reviewing case files, drafting pleadings, and gathering client\r\nmitigation materials. The role also requires collecting, logging, and analyzing\r\nprogram activity and impact data to ensure grant monitoring and reporting\r\ncompliance, while maintaining regular, client-centered communication with\r\nincarcerated individuals, families, correctional facilities, and partner\r\norganizations.\r\nAll\r\napplicants must be able to communicate effectively with clients and visitors\r\nand possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment.\r\nApplicants must be able to work in various positions. MOPD is further committed\r\nto providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals\r\nwith disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities by\r\nmodifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work\r\nenvironment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or\r\nemployee to enable the applicant or employee be considered for the position\r\nthey desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or\r\nto enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other\r\nsimilarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation\r\nimposes an undue hardship.  � Applicants must be able to operate a\r\npersonal computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to\r\ntransportation for statewide travel. If a reasonable accommodation is needed,\r\nplease contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, 410-767-8503  tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.\r\n

GRADE

ASTD 10\r\nASTD 12\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

217 E.\r\nRedwood St, Baltimore, MD 21202\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

The primary purpose of the\r\nParalegal I/II is to provide high-level, client-centered paralegal and\r\nadministrative support to the Decarceration Initiative team within the Maryland\r\nOffice of the Public Defender (MOPD). Funded by an 18-month grant, this role is\r\ncritical in driving systemic decarceration efforts by expanding access to legal\r\ncounsel for individuals serving long-term prison sentences who are eligible for\r\nsentence reconsideration under the Juvenile Restoration Act and the Second Look\r\nAct. The Decarceration Initiative Paralegal serves as a key operational hub for\r\nthe initiative managing case flow from intake to assignment, supporting complex\r\npost-conviction litigation, collecting essential program data for grant\r\naccountability, and maintaining empathetic, trauma-informed communication with\r\nincarcerated clients and key stakeholders.\r\n\r\n\r\nDuties & Responsibilities\r\n�\r\nCase Coordination & Intake\r\nManagement\r\n\r\n Evaluate, process, and track incoming referrals and inquiries to\r\n establish client eligibility under Juvenile Restoration Act and Second Look\r\n Act statutory guidelines.\r\n Manage client case files, facilitate conflict checks, and\r\n coordinate timely attorney assignments across staff attorneys, panel\r\n attorneys, and pro bono partners.\r\n Maintain and update internal databases to ensure accurate tracking\r\n of case milestones and client outcomes.\r\n\r\nLitigation & Research Support\r\n\r\n Assist staff attorneys in conducting complex legal research, state\r\n statute analyses, and case law reviews relevant to sentence modification\r\n and post-conviction relief.\r\n Review, organize, and summarize voluminous case files, trial\r\n transcripts, institutional records, and medical or psychological reports.\r\n Draft pleadings, motions, subpoenas, affidavits, and legal\r\n correspondence for attorney review.\r\n Gather, organize, and synthesize client mitigation materials,\r\n social histories, and re-entry plans to support persuasive sentence\r\n reconsideration filings.\r\n\r\nTraining, Technical Assistance\r\n& Program Operations\r\n\r\n Assist in developing and organizing training sessions, legal\r\n manuals, and resource kits for panel and pro bono attorneys handling Juvenile\r\n Restoration Act and Second Look Act matters.\r\n Provide ongoing technical support and resource distribution to\r\n participating attorneys and litigation teams.\r\n Log, monitor, and analyze program activity metrics, performance\r\n indicators, and outcome data to fulfill grant tracking and reporting\r\n obligations.�\r\n\r\nClient Outreach & Stakeholder\r\nEngagement\r\n\r\n Maintain regular, client-centered communication with incarcerated\r\n individuals, serving as a responsive point of contact regarding their case\r\n status.\r\n Liaise with clients’ families, community-based support\r\n organizations, correctional facility personnel, and partner legal services\r\n organizations.\r\n Coordinate logistics for client interviews, virtual legal visits,\r\n and multi-disciplinary team strategy meetings.\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or\r\npossession of a high school equivalency certificate.\r\nExperience: Two (Paralegal I) or Three (Paralegal II)\r\nyears of experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary performing legal\r\nresearch or preparing legal documents on behalf of an attorney.\r\nNotes: 1. Thirty credit hours or a certificate in\r\nparalegal studies from an accredited college or university may be substituted\r\nfor the required experience.\r\n�2. Thirty credit hours from an accredited law school\r\nmay be substituted for the required experience.\r\n�3. Additional years of experience as stated above\r\nmay be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.\r\n4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military\r\nservice experience as a non-commissioned officer in paralegal specialist\r\nclassifications or paralegal specialist specialty codes in the legal and\r\nkindred field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.\r\n

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Desired Qualifications & Skills\r\n\r\n Software & Data Management: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel,\r\n Word) and Google Workspace, with hands-on experience in data entry,\r\n spreadsheet management, and legal case management systems.\r\n Legal Knowledge & Research: Practical knowledge of criminal law\r\n terminology and court procedures, along with experience conducting legal\r\n research using Westlaw or similar legal databases.\r\n Digital Evidence Handling: Experienced in processing, organizing, and\r\n reviewing digital video files, body-worn camera footage, and media\r\n evidence.\r\n Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication\r\n skills, with the ability to correspond professionally with attorneys,\r\n court staff, clients, and family members.\r\n Organization & Task Management: Highly organized and detail-oriented, with\r\n proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills to manage multiple\r\n priorities and consistently meet strict deadlines.\r\n Client Advocacy & Mission Focus: A strong commitment to public defense and\r\n social justice, with a dedicated interest in working directly with\r\n incarcerated individuals to support decarceration efforts.\r\n\r\n

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

In-state travel required.\r\n

SELECTION PROCESS

Please\r\nmake sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show\r\nthat you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.� All information\r\nconcerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.�We\r\nwill not consider information submitted after this date.�Successful\r\ncandidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and\r\nplaced on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.\r\n

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The\r\nexamination will consist of a rating of your education, training and experience\r\nrelated to the requirements of the position. You may be required to complete a\r\nqualifications supplement, or the rating may be based on your application.\r\nTherefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information\r\non your application. Report all experience and education that is related to\r\nthis position. Applicants selected for interview will be required to complete a\r\nwriting sample onsite during the interview process.\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online\r\napplications preferred.� Please fax all paper applications and\r\nquestionnaires to (410) 333-2260.\r\nInquiries\r\nregarding applications and submitting paper applications can be directed to:\r\nOffice of the Public Defender, Human Resources Division, 6 Saint Paul Street,\r\nSuite 1304, Baltimore, MD 21202; or by calling (410) 767-8500, toll free:\r\n877-430-5187; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service 800-735-2258.�\r\nPlease\r\nbe sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job\r\nannouncement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing. A paper\r\ncopy of the MD State application form and questionnaire can be downloaded from\r\nthe link below.\r\nAs an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is\r\ncommitted to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective\r\nof the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual�\r\n