State of Montana

Paralegal (00129) - (25141563)

This first review of applications will be July 23, 2025. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

• Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.

For a complete job description, please email opi.careers@mt.gov

Why you would enjoy working here; Office of Public Instruction employees are a passionate group of professionals dedicated to leading and supporting our education system. We house a diverse collection of experiences with the 200+ unique individuals we employ. Our specialists further OPI’s purpose with applicable knowledge in education, health, research and analysis, nutrition, finance, administration, human resources, licensing and regulation, information technology, and many others. We are proud to serve 149,000+ students pre-K to grade 12, their parents and guardians, 400+ school districts, 16,000+ educational professionals, and 3,000+ adult learners.

Benefits of working for OPI:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public service loan forgiveness-Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

Job Overview: This position reports directly to the Chief Legal Counsel. Must use personal initiative and judgment to resolve most problems and situations. This position is responsible for coordinating services of the Legal Division to ensure that operations are managed in a timely, efficient, and professional manner. This includes components of duties related to Educator Licensure

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):

• Knowledge of the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, Montana District and Supreme Court Rules, and the Montana Administrative Procedures Act.
• Skilled in Writing and editing, including knowledge of proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Skilled in the use of computers and programs.
• Skilled in Interpersonal communication, dealing with the public, answering questions from staff and school personnel, and providing resources.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask and adhere to strict timelines to meet deadlines.
• Ability to utilize active listening skills.
• Ability to diffuse highly invested emotional situations.
• Ability to conduct legal research, using established practices and legal terms.
• Ability to create docket systems, calendars and filing systems.
• Ability to use electronic research resources such as Westlaw.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• Associate degree in paralegal studies from an accredited institution.
• Or a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university
• Or a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university and has completed not less than 18 semester credits of course work offered by a qualified paralegal studies program.
• Or certification by the national association of legal assistants or the national federation of paralegal associations.
• Or has received a high school diploma or its equivalent, has performed not less than 4,800 hours of substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney documented by the certification of the attorney or attorneys under whom the work was done, and has completed at least 5 hours of approved continuing legal education in the area of legal ethics and professional responsibility.
• Or has graduated from an accredited law school and has not been disbarred or suspended from the practice of law by any jurisdiction.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume online, including any veterans or disability preference documentation. When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process.

OPI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This position is in the PERS retirement system.

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. 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.

Salary: $

29.55 - 33.00 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

: 1 Employee Status: Regular Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type

: Standard

Shift

: Day Job

Travel

: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

: Helena

Agency: Office of Public Instruction Union: Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date

: Jul 9, 2025, 10:20:41 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone)

: Ongoing

Required Application Materials: Resume

Contact Name: Human Resources | Contact Email: OPI.Careers@mt.gov | Contact Phone: (406)444-2673 The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

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