Cdoc - Legal Assistant I (Buena Vista)

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave;
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more.
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;
• Paid life insurance;
• Short and long term disability coverage;
• Medical and dental health plans;
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans;

This is a paralegal position working directly with inmates in a correctional facility environment and functioning in the capacity of liaison with inmates and the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) staff.

Job duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Supervise, hire and terminate inmate clerks; provide appropriate services to inmates on behavioral management plans;
• Monitor the daily operations and ensure the security of assigned facility law libraries to maintain a secure work environment within a penal setting;
• Other duties/projects as assigned by supervisor.
• Interview and provide assistance to inmates pursuant to program policies and procedures;
• Log, prepare loan sheets, and enter statistical information into computer to facilitate the production of monthly statistical reports by supervisor;
• Provide inmates with photocopies of legal materials and receive, log, and deliver all photocopied loan material;
• May be responsible for more than one facility law library;
• Monitor and manage inmate legal access computers, including legal research programs, word processing, and provide notary services;
• Provide alternative legal access to those inmates who do not have physical access to a law library;
• Assist adult inmates classified at various security levels, to include disabled inmates, regarding the use of legal materials and the selection and preparation of legal documents;

Education:
Paralegal certificate obtained through either an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal studies program or an accredited institution. (Copies must be attached to your application to receive credit.)

Substitution:
Two (2) years of work experience in a paralegal capacity which included conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents and gathering and compiling data from legal references and resources. (This experience must be clearly described, in your own words, within the work experience section of your application to meet this requirement.)

A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school may substitute for the required certificate. (You must attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts with your name, college name, degree and date conferred in order to receive credit.)

Required Competencies:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Proficient legal research skills;
• Exceptional interpersonal/customer service skills;
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• Strong initiative and self motivation;
• Keen ability to multi-task and demonstrate flexibility;
• Established proficiency in position-related office technologies especially Microsoft Office Suite;
• Efficient and accurate analyzing of data/information skills;
• Effective critical thinking and decision making;
• Impeccable organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills;
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing.
• Precise attention to details;

• Experience interpreting complex rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines;
• Relevant years of state service;
• Advanced knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Assessment Process: Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum Qualifications (MQ's). Applicants that meet MQ’s will be included in the Comparative Analysis process. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis which may include, but is not limited to, a suitability screening, eSkills Assessment, oral assessment, written performance assessment or it may include a review of your application material and your responses to any supplemental questions by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.

• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner;
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury;
• Must be 21 years of age;
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders;
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments;
• Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
• Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions;
• Employees may be required to submit to regular serial testing and reporting for COVID-19.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED;
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire;
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule;
• Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment;
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations;
• Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
• Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows;
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics;
  • Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
  • Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
  • Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows;
  • Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows;
  • Swing a baton in a striking technique;
  • Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic;
  • Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions;
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings;
• Have NO felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609. The CDOC shall not hire nor promote anyone who may have contact with an offender who has engaged in sexual abuse which includes acts, activity, and sexual behavior, in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph. The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents.
• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDOC uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. CDOC does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security;
• Swing a baton in a striking technique;
• Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down;
• Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist;
• Possess a valid driver’s license;
• Willing and able to travel;
• Successfully pass all modules of the Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics;
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently;

Exception: Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified employees are prohibited from the use of marijuana. Health care professionals must check their licensing requirements regarding marijuana use.