STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
HUMAN RESOURCES
CLASSIFICATION: PARALEGAL I
Class Code: 6793-16
Date Established: 02-04-76
Occupational Code: 7-5-5
Date of Last Revision: 12-28-01
BASIC PURPOSE: To perform law-related research
activities including reviewing cases for preparation or interviewing
complainants and witnesses.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
·
Establishes tracking
system to maintain document control and organization of legal files.
·
Drafts and prepares
correspondence for the purpose of requesting and obtaining investigative data.
·
Investigates and
reviews complaints by individuals or groups concerning alleged violations.
·
Interviews
prospective witnesses and gathers data to assist in determining credibility or
in preparation of hearings.
·
Examines contracts,
agreements and related legal documents to ensure they are consistent with
statutory requirements.
·
Assists attorneys in
the preparation of legal cases, administrative hearings, court cases, and legal
opinions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTINGUISHING FACTORS:
Skill: Requires skill in developing formats
and procedures for special applications OR in investigating and reviewing the
use of equipment and data for a specialized function.
Knowledge: Requires knowledge of business
practices and procedures or technical training in a craft or trade, including
working from detailed instructions, to apply knowledge in a variety of
practical situations.
Impact: Requires responsibility for
contributing to immediate, ongoing agency objectives by facilitating the direct
provision of services to the public or other state agencies. Errors at this level result in
inaccurate reports or invalid test results and require significant investment
of time and resources to detect.
Supervision: Requires direct supervision of other
employees doing work which is related or similar to the supervisor, including
scheduling work, recommending leave, reviewing work for accuracy, performance
appraisal, or interviewing applicants for position vacancies.
Working Conditions: Requires performing regular job
functions in a controlled environment with minimal exposure to disagreeable job
elements and little risk of hazard to physical or mental health.
Physical Demands: Requires light work, including
continuous walking or operating simple equipment for extended periods of time
as well as occasional strenuous activities such as reaching or bending.
Communication: Requires explaining facts, interpreting
situations, or advising individuals of alternative or appropriate courses of
action. This level also requires
interviewing or eliciting information from state employees or members of the
general public.
Complexity: Requires a combination of job functions
to establish facts, to draw daily operational conclusions, or to solve
practical problems. This level
also requires providing a variety of alternative solutions where only limited
standardization exists.
Independent Action: Requires a range of choice in applying
a number of technical or administrative policies under general direction and in
making routine decisions or in recommending modifications in work procedures
for approval by supervisor.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Associate's degree or two years of
college with a major study in law, paralegal studies or a related legal field,
or a paralegal certificate from a certified paralegal program. Each additional year of approved formal
education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.
Experience: Two years' experience in legal
research, legal investigative work, paralegal work, criminal justice or an area
which provided experience with legal terminology. Each additional year of approved work experience may be
substituted for one year of required formal education.
License/Certification: None required.
RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS: Some knowledge of the system of
organization of New Hampshire Statutory law and sources of reference
material. Knowledge of the
precautions to be taken in observing and collecting facts and evidence which
are significant in determining the knowledge of individuals and their
credibility. Ability to follow a
case to completion by combining tact and aggressiveness in order to achieve
positive results. Ability to
perform research work in a law library on points raised in investigation or
litigation. Ability to communicate
effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
the public and with courts, attorneys, and business organizations. Must be willing to maintain appearance
appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the agency
appointing authority.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: This class specification is descriptive
of general duties and is not intended to list every specific function of this
class title.
Back to Human Resources Home Page
Back
to State Opportunities Listing Page
Back to Class Specification List
Last Updated 01/04/02
URL: http://www.nh.gov/hr/classspec_p/6793.htm