Paralegal - Casco Bay

Location: Portland,Maine,United States

Maine Commission on Public Defense Services

Casco Bay Public Defender Office

Paralegal 

Opening Date: July 31, 2025

Closing Date:  August 14, 2025

Job Class Code: 0884
Grade: 20
Salary: $20.68 – $28.88 / Hourly  
Position Number: 146000088

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is seeking to fill one paralegal position in the Casco Bay Public Defender Office located in Portland.

JOB DESCRIPTION

PDS is an independent commission whose purpose is to provide efficient, high-quality representation to indigent citizens who are entitled to counsel at state expense. The Casco Bay Public Defender Office is comprised of four employed defenders and two support staff members. The paralegal position will provide support to multiple attorneys.

The paralegal perform case preparation and investigative and information gathering tasks necessary for providing effective assistance of counsel. The paralegal may communicate with a wide network of court officials, law enforcement, legal and social agencies, jail and prison officials, as well as clients and their family members. Proficiency is required in word processing, legal document preparation, document management, record keeping, data management, file management, calendar management, and a variety of communications.

The ideal candidate must be self-directed, highly organized and highly accurate, with the ability to work efficiently and independently.  The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic.  It is essential that the successful candidate work well as part of a team and adapt well to rapid changes in a fast-paced legal environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Training, education, or experiences in office and administrative support work that demonstrates competencies in applying a solid knowledge of the principles and practices of law firm, court, or legal services processes with the ability to research complex legal issues and analyze legal problems -OR- graduation from an approved, accredited paralegal program of instruction.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please apply online and submit a cover letter with your application. For questions about this position, please contact Executive Director Jim Billings at jim.billings@maine.gov. 

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package<