Position Overview

Are you passionate about justice and committed to making a positive impact for the Department of Corrections? The Department invites you to apply for the Paralegal Assistant in our Legal Services Department located in Chicago. Duties include creating legal correspondence and memorandums, as well as preparing reports for Legal Services. If interested in this position, please apply according to the instructions listed on the posting. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Job Responsibilities

1. Prepares written legal opinions, decisions, and memorandums for reviews.
2. Assists Department attorneys with tracking and data management.
3. Assists legal staff with preparation in legal cases, matters, or written responses, including for subpoenas, FOIA responses, and written discovery.
4. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in such areas as legal, pre-legal, English, statistics or directly related coursework.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers at least four (4) years of professional experience in drafting correspondence and other written materials.
2. Prefers at least four (4) years of experience in maintaining and updating electronic databases.
3. Prefers at least four (4) years of experience in operating Microsoft Office programs or similar programs.
4. Prefers at least three (3) years of experience responding to discovery requests.
5. Prefers at least three (3) years of professional experience in maintaining hard files or an electronic docketing system.
6. Prefers at least two (2) years of professional experience scheduling appointments and maintaining a schedule for an office.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires the ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
2. Requires the ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs, regardless of the position held, is prohibited.
3. Applicants are required to abide by all vaccine and/or other medical standards as set out by the employer.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Corrections is a multicultural agency deeply committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion. This commitment is at the forefront of our operations, hiring, policies and procedures, and training. We recognize the benefit of workplace empowerment, the importance of diversity and fully support an environment where ALL employees are treated fairly, respectfully, and have equal access to opportunities and resources necessary to thrive and contribute to the agency’s success. IDOC genuinely values the differences of individuals in our custody and is committed to ensuring a healthy living environment where they feel valued, respected, and included. Through our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), we shall establish and uphold agency policies and practices conducive to eliminating all forms of exclusion including, but not limited to, racism, ageism, ableism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender, and religious oppression. The IDOC team works to serve justice in Illinois and increase public safety by promoting positive change in behavior of individuals in custody, operating successful reentry programs, and reducing victimization. Employees enjoy excellent benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement plan and deferred compensation; state holidays and other benefit time off; and pre-tax benefit programs. The department also offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities. The Illinois Department of Corrections is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.