Paralegal Specialist

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Job Description - Paralegal Specialist (260000OI)

The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) is seeking a Paralegal Specialist to join their team!

The Paralegal Specialist will work with the legal department staff by assisting in case management, hearing preparation, providing legal advice to management and staff for EOVS, assist with contract procurement, public records requests and coordinating with municipal Veterans’ Service Officers in the oversight of the Chapter 115 Veterans Benefit Program. The Paralegal Specialist will conduct research, review legal documents, assist hearing officers in preparing cases for administrative hearings;

analyze proposed legislation; respond to inquiries concerning formal interpretation of agency laws, rules, and regulations; and perform related legal and administrative work as required.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Work closely with EOVS legal staff by assisting in case management, hearing preparation, and legal research.
• Assist with the management of Chapter 115 appeal hearings upon filing to determine legal validity of the claim.
• Work closely with management and administrative staff concerning intake, scheduling, and disposition of appeals.
• Respond to inquiries from appellants, attorneys, and others to provide information concerning appeals.
• Remain current on relevant changes to federal and state case law, statutes, regulations, and legal and policy issues.
• Assist in any/all post hearing filings. Responsible for issuing provider proposed and final decisions and all member appeals.
• Responsible for redaction of all decisions (both provider and member appeals) before saving to public drive.
• Responsible for assessing legal documents; preparing cases for administrative hearings; analyzing proposed legislation; respond to inquiries concerning formal interpretation of agency laws, rules and regulations, and perform related work as required.
• Draft legal documents as requested by EOVS legal staff.
• Assist agency counsel with preparing responses to public information requests and projects as assigned.
• Assist agency counsel with providing support to state boards and councils including notification on scheduling as needed.
• Respond to inquiries from external entities regarding the application of agency laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Review legal documents, prepare cases for administrative hearing, analyze proposed legislation, respond to inquiries concerning formal interpretation of agency laws, rules, and regulations, and perform other related duties as directed by the General Counsel.
• Draft dismissals of appeals that fail to evidence authorization that include factual and legal basis for dismissal.
• Assist agency counsel with other aspects of EOVS operations including procurement, labor, employment, public records, and administrative matters.
• Perform any board-related tasks and projects at the request of the General Counsel.

• Knowledge of state law governing administrative hearings.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing agency operations.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of records management.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of legal data, to draw conclusions and to offer recommendations
• Ability to gather information whether by questioning/observing individuals or by examining records or documents.
• Working knowledge of reference and related sources available for legal research (Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis).

• The work of, and law governing, state agencies, including commissions.
• The state Administrative Procedure Law, Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law, and Conflict of Interest Law.
• Handling confidential information in accordance with privacy and security protocols, and with discretion.
• Legal research and writing.
• Litigation and other adjudicatory matters

The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) is a state agency whose mission is to be the primary advocate for…