] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → PARALEGAL, OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

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Paralegal, Office of the General Counsel

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Paralegal CODE: 4990 SQ/OQ: Optimal Qualified
WORKING TITLE: Paralegal, Office of the General Counsel GRADE: 18 MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction of the General Counsel, and other legal counsel and staff in the Office of the General Counsel, assists in coordinating the work of one or more of the principal legal functions of the office, such as policy, employment and operations, special education, student civil rights, subpoena and records requests, procurement and contracts, and land use; conducts legal research; prepares training, meeting, hearing, or other legal project materials; assists with responding to legal questions in one or more of the primary legal functions of the office; assists with drafting and filing court pleadings; assists with investigations and the preparation of responses to agency complaints; monitors state and local board hearings, developments, and related legislation; and collects and analyzes data.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of litigation support and/or procedures/legal requirements of any one or more of the principal legal functions of the Office of the General Counsel. Knowledge of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) organization and structure, policies and procedures, and related laws and regulations. Ability to analyze and interpret federal, state, and local laws. Familiarity with using standard online legal research sites such as WestLaw or LexisNexis and court sites such as PACER. Knowledge of Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to work effectively with others. Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret records and data relative to administrative and court hearings or investigations. Ability to handle highly sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. Excellent oral and written communications and human-relations skills. Knowledge of, and the ability to meet, the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Associates degree required. Bachelor's degree preferred. Courses in paralegal studies or pre-law from an accredited college or university, or paralegal certificate desirable. Training, coursework, and/or experience in legal issues related to one or more of the principal legal functions of the office. Three or more years of prior experience working in a law firm, clerkship, or government law office is highly preferred. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: None.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) None
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Ability to work overtime and weekend hours as needed.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: Yes

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides technical assistance for central office and school staff members as needed with one or more of the principal legal functions of the Office of the General Counsel, such as policy, employment and operations, special education, student civil rights, subpoena and records requests, procurement and contracts, and land use.

Prepares and reviews responses to legal requests through the review and compilation of student's educational records, personnel records, and/or gathering additional information from school staff members.

Gathers documents and conducts staff member interviews as needed.

Prepares records, chronologies, and analyses as needed to support one or more of the principal legal functions of the Office of General Counsel.

Prepares materials for hearings, meetings, mediations, arbitrations, and other legal presentations and trainings.

Assists with responding to document requests, including subpoenas and discovery requests.

Prepares and proofreads legal briefs, depositions, memoranda, cover letters, pleadings, and other legal documents based on written notes, drafts, and verbal instructions; formats and organizes materials in accordance with standard legal practices; assists in preparation of paper and electronic filings.

Monitors compliance with MSDE requests for revocation and suspension of teaching certificates required by MSDE. Prepares and sends correspondence to MSDE and MCPS offices.

Assists with the development, revision, and rescission of forms, policies, and regulations.

Researches and compiles documentation as requested by legal counsel and staff.

Assists with the interpretation and application of policies and regulations as it relates to system initiatives and processes.

Calls court clerks and other offices or organizations for logistical information regarding filings or pending matters.

Prepares formal packages going to the Board of Education and/or Superintendent for action, which involves assembling all required documents, edits and correcting materials, preparing charts, tables, and memoranda.

Attends meetings, takes notes, and prepares written materials from meeting notes.

Proactively communicates the status of work.

Displays a high degree of professionalism at all times and exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills to resolve many sensitive matters.

Utilizes resources appropriately to complete work in the most efficient manner.

Maintains attorney-client privileged notes regarding potential resolution and/or strategies for settling any complaints filed against MCPS.

Produces reports, charts, and other materials using numerous data management techniques to enter, edit, print and file information; develops and maintains and updates electronic databases.

Performs related duties consistent with the scope sand intent of the position.
Class Established: 3/98
Date(s) Revised: 8/2008, 6/2017; 6/2020
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.