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Maine Commission on Public Defense Services
Capitol Region Public Defenders
Paralegal - Augusta
Opening Date: April 3, 2026
Closing Date: May 3, 2026
Grade / Admin unit : 20 / Professional/Technical
Job Class Code: 0884
Position No.: 146000034
Salary: $20.68 - $28.88/Hourly
Location: Augusta
Telework: None
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Capitol Region Public Defenders is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill a paralegal position. The paralegal will provide in-office support to multiple Assistant Defenders with heavy criminal defense caseloads. The paralegal will perform case preparation, investigative and information gathering tasks necessary for providing effective assistance of counsel. The paralegal will draft routine documents such as client correspondence, discovery requests, and motions. The paralegal may also communicate with a wide network of court officials, law enforcement, legal and social agencies, jail and prison officials, as well as clients and their family members.
The ideal candidate must be self-directed, highly organized and highly accurate, with the ability to work efficiently and independently. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills when communicating with individuals who are frustrated or under emotional distress.
The ideal candidate must have a strong work ethic and ability to manage heavy email traffic in multiple shared inboxes. It is essential that the successful candidate works well as part of a team and adapts well to rapid changes in a fast-paced legal environment.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supporting busy attorneys and tracking large caseloads
- Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite for day-to-day tasks
- Managing heavy email traffic across multiple shared inboxes
- Maintain communication with clients about court dates, case status, and other matters as directed by Assistant Defenders
- Communicate with a wide network of agencies such as the courts, jails/prisons, legal and social agencies, as well as client family members.
- Draft routine documents including discovery requests, motions, client correspondence, etc.
- Tracking and keeping an accurate calendar of scheduled court dates
- Processing incoming court documents and maintaining up to date case files
- Process incoming and outgoing mail for Assistant Defenders
- Collecting, managing, and organizing discovery including body worn camera footage, dash camera footage, police reports and witness statements, various audio, etc.
- Use Adobe Pro to compile documents and electronic discovery binders
- Other responsibilities as assigned by the Legal Administrator
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong skills in Adobe Pro
- Ability to manage and process highly confidential and sensitive material
- Knowledge of Titles 17-A and 29-A, and the life of a criminal case
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals who may be under emotional distress
- Strong knowledge and skills with Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to navigate an electronic court filing system and adapt to evolving technology
- Ability to write clearly and effectively
- Ability to work as a team to foster a positive working environment
- Ability to learn case management software and effectively use it
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor’s Degree and two (2) years of paralegal experience in a law firm, court, or legal services agency - OR - graduation from an approved, accredited paralegal program of instruction and one (1) year of paralegal experience. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Preference will be given to candidates with experience supporting multiple attorneys in a law office setting and who are proficient with Microsoft Office Suite products.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please submit a cover letter along with a current resume and three (3) professional references.
In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.
CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact Legal Administrator, Kasey Nelson (kasey.e.nelson@maine.gov).
The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.
Benefits of working for the State of Maine:
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
- Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
- Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
- Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
- Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.11% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
- Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
- Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
- Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.
There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
If you require a paper application, please download and print oneHERE
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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.
