Paralegal 2

Our services impact EVERY Montanan!

MISSION STATEMENT            

To be the nation's most citizen oriented, efficiently administered, state tax agency.             

The Montana Department of Revenue administers almost 40 state taxes, property appraisals, liquor law, cannabis law, and unclaimed property of the state of Montana.  The Director's Office Division provides support for the Director and Department employees relating to tax policy, legal, human resources, training, communications and taxpayer assistance, dispute resolution, call center, accounting and budgeting, contracts, facilities and purchasing, and security. The Legal Services Office (LSO) is comprised of the Litigation Unit, the Bankruptcy Unit, and the Office of Dispute Resolution.

What We Can Offer You

The State of Montana's comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health, dental, and vision care; life insurance; and long-term disability. The State currently contributes $12,648/year toward these benefits.
•  Free health care for employees and eligible family member at Montana Health Centers.
• Employee Assistance Benefits including counseling, legal assistance, well-being coaching, financial information, which are free resources.
• Retirement plans- The State currently contributes 9.17%, vested after 5 years of continuous employment.
• Paid vacation- starting at 15 days a year.
• Sick leave- 12 days a year.
• 11 holidays, including a floating holiday, which can be used any time.
• Flexible hours.
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Visit the Health Care and Benefits Division for more information at https://benefits.mt.gov/. In addition to employee benefits, there are a wide range of advancement opportunities throughout the Department of Revenue.

DUTIES

Job Overview:

This position resides in the Director's Office Division of Department of Revenue.  The Litigation Paralegal provides substantive and administrative paralegal work under the supervision of an attorney involving statutory and case law research, legal analysis, and pre-trial/hearing preparation of pleadings and exhibits, and participates in legal proceedings as member of a team that may consist of attorneys and other paralegals, expert witnesses, and clients.  The incumbent may draft pleadings and discovery, track and maintain case files, legal documents, and case information, and participate in mediations and settlement conferences as requested by the case attorney.  These cases often involve complex fact patterns and/or constitutional challenges to state statutes but may also involve more routine matters.  The incumbent may provide support to the agency's internal and outside legal counsel in litigation in proceedings before the Office of Dispute Resolution, the Montana State Tax Appeal Board, Montana state district courts, the Montana Supreme Court, Montana US district courts, and the Bankruptcy Court.  The incumbent may also assist in drafting legislation and administrative rules on behalf of Department counsel.  The position reports to the Department's Chief Legal Counsel and does not supervise other staff.

Knowledge of:

• Montana tax law and tax cases.
• Procedural court rules and procedures including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Appellate Procedure, the Rules of Evidence, the Uniform District Court Rules, and the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.
• "Local" court and/or administrative tribunal rules and trial procedures.
• Bill drafting and legislation.
• Civil litigation techniques and trial strategies.
• Appellate court argument procedures and techniques.
• The Constitutions of Montana and the United States.
• Legal research methods and procedures.
• Basic principles, practices, and terminology relative to state and federal laws, case law, court rulings, and constitutional provisions in the assigned area(s) of work.
• Operations of state government and administrative procedures.

Skills in:

• Research and analysis
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Conflict resolution
• Customer service
• Microsoft programs, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel, and other database applications
• Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

You would be a great fit for this position if you have:

Ability to:

• Demonstrate self-motivation
• Follow instructions
• Foster and maintain healthy working relationships
• Provide timely customer service
• Handling multiple priorities under deadlines

REMOTE/TELEWORK: This position may be eligible to work from an approved worksite within the state of Montana. This position would be required to report to a Department of Revenue office assigned by the supervisor. Employees must meet and sustain Department of Revenue telework eligibility requirements and supervisor's approval to participate in the DOR Telework Program.

Training Assignment:  This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

To be considered for any DOR position, applicants must complete and submit their application online, and upload any required documents. DOR is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

***This is an incomplete list of job duties. For a complete job description please contact Human Resources. (dorhr@mt.gov or 406-444-9858)

(All computer systems and tax guidelines will be trained on the job.)

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, via the "Apply Online" button located on this posting.

Applicant Pool Statement:  If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Successful applicants are required to successfully pass DOR tax and background check(s).

Requires the successful completion of a background check and state tax compliance status check. 

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

The above competencies are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

            A two-year degree in paralegal studies and/or 5 years of job-related legal work experience.

            Work experience should be made up of legal research and litigation support, especially in civil and regulatory law.

            Other combinations of education and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis. 

If applicable, please provide college/university transcripts with application.