Skip to main content

This job has expired

Legal (Paralegal) Assistant



Legal (Paralegal) Assistant

University Counsel

Virginia Commonwealth University leverages the power of our institutional knowledge and the depth and diversity of our talent to deliver results that align with VCU and VCU Health's strategic goals. We understand that VCU is not like the rest. In a world of the common, we are the uncommon. We are unlike any other.

The Opportunity

The Legal (Paralegal) Assistant role provides career tracks for paralegals and administrative support specialists. Duties range from paralegal support for attorneys in the Office of University Counsel to FOIA compliance support, working with VCU’s FOIA Officer. In addition to the paralegal and FOIA responsibilities, duties may also include compliance assurance, report writing, reconciliation of information or financial data, records management, scheduling, claims review and processing, data collection and analysis, research, inventory, budget management, personnel administration, and funds collections or expenditures.

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s generous benefits package that includes: competitive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, Virginia Retirement System (VRS), tuition waiver, partner discounts, and abundant opportunities for career development and advancement. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here .

This position reports to the University Counsel and has a dotted line reporting to the VCU FOIA Officer for FOIA related matters.

University Counsel Related Responsibilities

To provide skilled paralegal and administrative to the University Counsel and Associates University Counsel by: ensuring compliance of State and University policies and procedures; providing paralegal support, including litigation support; and handling administrative office functions in accordance with the VCU Code of Conduct. Specific tasks include but are not limited to:
  • Prepare, revise and finalize correspondence and pleadings.

  • Assist in locating documents/files.

  • Maintain electronic files and tickler systems.

  • Organize and file subpoena responses.

  • Prepare and electronically file exhibits.

  • Collect, format, and transmit weekly reports to the Attorney General's Office.

  • Manage paper and electronic files.

  • Interact with University offices, governmental agencies, and the public in a collaborative and collegial manner.

  • Demonstrate excellent written and verbal skills.

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of University principles and guidelines to be utilized in daily office practice.

  • Type/format correspondence and prepare for transmittal.

  • Provide coverage for the administrative tasks of the office.

  • Perform special projects and other tasks as assigned.

FOIA Related Responsibilities

Serves as support for the University’s FOIA officer for all inquiries and requests related to the state Freedom of Information Act and other federal and state laws governing the release of public information. Assists the FOIA officer in creating responses to requests for information under the state FOIA. Works closely with Information Technology in the use of appropriate tools to manage FOIA requests. Receives, records, acknowledges and prepares responses to answer requests within deadlines and bounds of FOIA. Maintains all records and databases related to each public information request. Reviews potentially responsive records from university departments; assists the FOIA officer in assessing the applicability of relevant exclusions and makes appropriate document redactions. Calculates and generates invoices for fulfilling FOIA requests. Updates the university FOIA website as needed. Specific knowledge and tasks include:
  • Working knowledge of Virginia FOIA and other laws governing the release of information particularly in a higher education or health care setting.

  • Experience managing large volumes of records to include organization, sharing and storage.

  • Significant experience with large volume document review requiring sustained attention to detail.

  • Strong customer service orientation with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Comfortable working under pressure against tight deadlines

  • Experience using Adobe Pro redaction tool.

  • Assist with review of incoming FOIA requests including calculation of statutory due dates, input into tracking, identifying and notifying records custodians.

  • Gather, organize and review records for potential redaction maintaining strict confidentiality

  • Prepare draft responses in consultation with FOIA Officer.

  • Manage institutional FOIA requests when the FOIA Officer is out-of-office.

  • Assist with records management in compliance with Library of Virginia records retention schedule.

Minimum Hiring Standards
  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in law, paralegal studies, business administration or related fields.

  • Two (2) or more years of experience working with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

  • Experience preparing official correspondence and meeting statutory or regulatory deadlines.

  • Demonstrated experience in managing projects.

  • Effective communication skills, with the ability to handle cross-cultural communication, diversity, organizational and problem-solving skills and various administrative tasks.

  • Strong writing skills with demonstrated ability to collect, synthesize and analyze information.

  • Strong analytical, problem solving, critical thinking and advanced computer skills (for example, Word, Excel, Access, and other related programs).

  • Customer care experience, and ability to work in a fast-paced, compliance driven environment.

  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Hiring Standards
  • Paralegal certification and/or paralegal experience in litigation.

  • Professional experience in the public sector.

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000



Position Details:

Department: University Counsel/EMC
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt







Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert