Job Description
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):
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- 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.
Required Qualifications:
- 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).
Preferred Qualifications:
- 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
About the Executive Office of Veterans Services:
The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) is a state agency whose mission is to be the primary advocate for all veterans in the Commonwealth and provide them with quality support services. To accomplish this, EOVS administers an array of programs and services, such as a needs-based financial benefits program (Chapter 115), coordinating with Veteran Services Officers located in every community in the Commonwealth, which provides direct financial assistance and annuity benefits to veterans and eligible next of kin, funding to organizations offering homelessness, transitional housing, and outreach to veterans, connections to Massachusetts Career Center veteran employment services, operating two Massachusetts Veterans Homes (MVH) and two state Veterans cemeteries, and employing two unique and mission-critical outreach teams: The SAVE Suicide Prevention Team, and Women Veterans' Network. In addition, EOVS is the only representative for all state agencies and for individual veterans before the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs in securing federal compensation and other available benefits. The vision of the Executive Office of Veterans Services is to ensure that Massachusetts is a place where all veterans and their families have awareness of and access to the benefits and to the services earned, that they are respected for the service they have rendered and are able to live healthy and productive lives.
Pre-Offer Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paraprofessional experience in legal research or legal assistant work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. An Associate's or higher degree with a major in paralegal studies may be substituted for the required experience.
II. Completion of one year of study at a recognized, degree-granting law school may be substituted for the required experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.