Paralegal II

Agency Dept of Commerce Division Utilities Commission Job Classification Title Paralegal II (NS) Position Number 60077218 Grade LG04 About Us The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity. Description of Work Are you looking to find meaningful work and positively impact the lives of the residents of North Carolina? If your answer is yes, then we want you to join our team at the Utilities Commission and make a difference. The Utilities Commission is looking for an Paralegal II. This position is assigned to the Legal Division of the NC Utilities Commission. The primary purpose of this Paralegal position is to develop and maintain proficiency in public utility law, Commission procedures, and electronic docketing systems within an evolving and increasingly complex regulatory environment. Division responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Performing advanced, specialized legal work in the complex field of public utility law, providing high-level support to attorneys across a wide range of regulated utilities and agency administrative functions. • Drafting and editing Commission orders and legal documents. • Managing and analyzing extensive docket filings. • Coordinating hearings and court-related logistics statewide. • Communicating with the public, regulated entities, and external partners, and supporting evidentiary and transcript preparation for official Commission records. The Paralegal II works with significant independence and discretion, exercising judgment in matters where errors may have substantial legal, regulatory, or public impact, and is expected to identify when attorney involvement is required. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement. Incentives of NC State Employment We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits to include: • 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave. • North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna. • Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision. • NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans. • WeSave Employee Discounts. • Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the link below: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits Note to Current State Employees The salary grade for this position is LG04. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon those factors, a pay increase MAY result. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Recruitment Range: $57,606 - $71,000 Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above Management Preferences - Optional: These skills are not required but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies Ability to gain thorough knowledge of the program areas or legal specialties to which the employee will be assigned. Thorough knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures. Demonstrated ability to perform legal research in accordance with preliminary instructions as to methods or approach, source material available, and policy and precedent of the office. Demonstrated ability to summarize facts and evidence, and prepare legal memoranda and orders. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and logically in oral and written form. Education and Experience Requirements APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.  Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the  OSHR Guide  for details. Graduation from an appropriately accredited institution for paralegal training and two years of experience as a paralegal; Or Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of substantive paralegal experience; Or   High school or General Education Development (GED) diploma and six years of paralegal experience performing delegated, substantive legal work; Or An equivalent combination of education and experience.  Supplemental and Contact Information About the Utilities Commission The primary purpose of the Utilities Commission is to regulate the rates and quality of service of investor-owned public utilities in the State of North Carolina. The primary purpose of the Legal Division of the Commission is to provide the Commission with a full range of expert legal counsel and technical advice, assistance, and support with respect to all aspects of agency operations in the complex and specialized field of public utility regulation. More specifically, the maj