Public Records Act Paralegal III

The University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) is recruiting for an experienced Public Records Act Paralegal (Paralegal III) to join the Office of University Counsel.  The paralegal in this position will assist and support attorneys with general legal matters that arise for the University and will be responsible for general office organization and administration tasks, electronic file creation and document organization, drafting and preparing routine correspondence, proofing and editing, conducting legal research, and locating, retrieving, reviewing and delivering public records as necessary for the University to comply with the Maryland Public Information Act.  The Public Records Act Paralegal will work in parallel with two incumbent paralegals.  The Office of University Counsel coordinates with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General which is responsible for managing UMB litigation.
The Office of University Counsel provides legal services and advice to management personnel, leaders, officers, and officials on a vibrant 65-acre campus which includes an affiliated biopark and medical center.  It includes schools of law, social work, nursing, pharmacy, a graduate school, the world’s first dental college and the nation’s oldest public medical school.
Hybrid office/telework schedules considered.
Benefits Information:
UMB offers a generous benefits package, which includes 22 vacation days, 14 floating and holiday, 15 sick days; comprehensive health insurance and retirement options; and tuition remission for employees and their dependents at University System of Maryland institutions.
  UMB requires all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be processed through Human Resources.
Principal Responsibilities and Tasks:
The general nature and level of paralegal work performed by the Public Records Act Paralegal is listed below.  This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of professional responsibilities or all job duties performed.

• Track status of all public records requests that are received by the University.
• Analyze public records requests and assist attorneys in determining the type and scope of search that must be undertaken to find responsive records.
• Work with University faculty and staff to perform document searches and to arrange transfer of documents to the Office of University Counsel for review.
• Review documents to determine responsiveness of documents to public request.
• Mark documents as privileged or exempt and redact as necessary.
• Prepare documents for copying and production.
• Compute, invoice and collect fees for documents.  Arrange delivery of documents.
• Learn and apply the provisions of the Maryland Public Information Act and public records-related statutory exemptions and case law.
• Monitor proposed and new provisions of the Maryland Public Information Act.
• Assist attorneys in drafting response letters to requesters.  Use templates to produce standard letters.
• Monitor deadlines to ensure records are provided within the statutory requirements.
• Consult with attorneys regarding exemptions for withholding records to prevent unauthorized release.
• Perform legal and business research, prepare legal documents based on model templates and draft correspondence applicable to legal issues in draft and final forms as directed by the assigning attorney.
• Proofread legal documents and correspondence and make required corrections in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Maintain electronic and paper-based legal reference volumes and other resource materials in the University Counsel law library.  
• Perform routine administrative functions necessary to support attorneys and maintain the good order of the office including processing incoming mail, opening new files, filing documents (electronic and paper), preparing spreadsheets, inventorying and organizing supplies, supplying copiers and printers with ink and paper, calling for service to repair computers and other business equipment, processing basic business transactions, ensuring good communication and coordination with other administrative and academic offices.
• Assess office needs and provide administrative support to attorneys. Manage office website content and ensures accurate and up-to-date website links for reference materials accessible to campus and public.
• Coordinate and oversee completion of training for staff, including orientation and required training. Ensure staff is trained in the use of legal technologies used by Office.
• Provide mentorship and training to assigned staff.  May provide routine supervision of other staff and may be responsible for the performance assessment.
• Communicate with requesters on behalf of the University in a professional, courteous, and appropriate manner.
• Exercise professionalism, tact, and discretion in all interactions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

  Qualifications    Education: B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Seven (7) years of experience performing paralegal duties including document review in a law firm or government setting.  Experience researching federal, state and local regulations, codes, statutes and cases.
Salary Range: Compensation of the position is estimated in the $77,000 to $85,000 range and is dependent on education, experience, and qualifications.
UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at HRJobs@umaryland.edu.  
If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact HRDiversity@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.