**Disclaimer-if the position is filled after July 1, 2026, then the job opportunity will not be in the classified service **
The Paralegal for the West Virginia Department of Transportation in this position will report to the Legal Division in Kanawha County. The selected candidate will perform support work for the attorneys in handling litigation management and trial preparation for Magistrate Court on behalf of the State, and support to defense of the Division of Highways statewide in the West Virginia Circuit Courts, and West Virginia Legislative Claims Commission. Duties include but are not limited to the following: the handling of gathering documents and drafting responses to interrogatories and requests for productions of documents; performing legal research for the litigation attorneys to enable defending of Agency in proceedings; drafting legal correspondence and documents such as notice of hearings, motions, answers, and proposed orders, in proper form and within statutory guidelines; filing documents according to court and administrative rules; developing and maintaining databases and spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel and Access; maintaining electronic case files, logs and dockets; legal research and writing; scheduling hearings; and other related duties as required. The successful candidate should have knowledge of legal terminology, legal writing, and legal document styles and formats. Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions; to maintain a wide variety of legal files, records, and reports; and to interact with individuals at all levels of the agency, as well as with individuals outside the agency is preferred. The successful applicant should be discreet and tactful in safeguarding sensitive information. The successful applicant must have a valid driver's license and a willingness to travel statewide. Assist attorneys in the scheduling, hearing, and preparation of pleadings for the Division of Highways including legal research, writing, and docket management.
Pay Grade 14
• Provides support to staff attorneys and subordinate administrative staff of a specialized legal practice area in case file management, including assignments, determining work priorities, calendaring, meeting deadlines, and research projects
• Interacts effectively with attorneys and administrative supervisors in planning and reviewing unit activities
• Trains subordinate administrative staff in methods, procedures, and policies of the Division
• Performs administrative legal work in connection with specialized areas of assignment such as contract law, employment law, real property law, collections, and civil litigation matters
• Researches legal resources such as statutes, recorded judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative decisions, and legal codes in complex litigation
• Monitors the movement and status of pending litigation involving the Department of Transportation
• Writes abstracts of evidence presented at complex judicial and administrative hearings and summaries of information on hearings or claims
• Collects and summarizes information from discovery and research
• Composes complex correspondence, orders, and other legal documents
• Personal contacts are with individuals or groups from outside the agency in a structured setting
• The work involves treating a variety of conventional problems, questions, or situations in conformance with established criteria
• Answering telephone inquiries, written inquiries, including Freedom of Information Act requests, and correspondence
• Travel may be required; therefore, a valid driver’s license is required.
• Knowledge of broad principles and application of law, evidence, pleadings, and judicial procedures in West Virginia
• Knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures
• Knowledge of legal citations
• Ability to analyze facts, evidence, and legal instruments
• Ability to gather and interpret statutory and regulatory provisions and present findings in a logical and persuasive written form
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agencies, other WVDOT/DOH divisions, the public, and the federal government
• Ability to communicate effectively and express conclusions and arguments clearly and logically, both orally and in writing
• Work is generally administrative, requiring knowledge of pertinent related education and experience
• Ability to demonstrate discretion
• Ability to mentor, develop, and train subordinate administrative staff
REQUIRED TRAINING/EDUCATION
• Successful completion of a Paralegal (Legal Assistant) training program.
• Substitution: Two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in a legal setting that required performing legal research, reading and interpreting laws, and preparing legal documents, under the supervision of an attorney, may substitute for the required training/education.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
• Two (2) years of full-time or part-time equivalent paid experience as a Paralegal in a legal setting, that required performing legal research, reading and interpreting laws, and preparing legal documents, under the supervision of an attorney.
• Substitution: Successful completion of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university may be substituted for the required training/education and experience through an established formula.
