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PARALEGAL - LITIGATION/IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH ASSISTANT

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students.  To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.
Date:  Nov 2, 2026
Location: 

Springfield, IL, US, 62702

Job Requisition ID:  59789

Job Requisition ID: 59789 
Opening Date: 11/04/2026
Closing Date: 11/18/2026
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Class Title: PARALEGAL (30860) 
Skill Option: None 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $5127 monthly; Full Range $5127 - $7135 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code: 
Work Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 3 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: AGR.HumanResources@illinois.gov

 

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

 

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

 

 

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

 

Position Overview

Join the Department of Agriculture’s growing legal team in this newly created role supporting attorneys with litigation, policy development, legal research, and operational changes driven by evolving laws, audits, and court actions. Key responsibilities include case tracking, records management, document review and preparation, and collaboration with program areas to assess legal and operational impacts.

 

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated, with strong Microsoft Word skills, including track changes. Success in this role requires the ability to independently manage priorities, follow written guidance, develop new processes, and communicate effectively in a collaborative, small-team environment. Training and support will be provided. This position is primarily office-based, with limited remote work opportunities available after successful completion of the probationary period, subject to operational needs.

Essential Functions

  • Under general supervision of a licensed attorney, performs general paralegal support services for the Bureau of Legal Services.
  • Provides assistance to legal services by coordinating, preparing, and monitoring litigation matters.
  • Researches the policies, operations, practices and procedures related to the implementation of newly established administrative rules, programs and policies, and presents findings to attorneys and upper-level management.
  • Plans, coordinates, and executes research projects as directed by management.
  • Provides back-up services for the IDOA contract routing process.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prefers two (2) years of working experience as a paralegal or other legal support professional, with duties including legal research, document review, and document drafting.
  • Prefers two (2) years of working experience in legal writing, including drafting legal documents, legal memos, and using template documents.
  • Prefers two (2) years of working experience with using Lexis+ or other similar legal research software.
  • Prefer two (2) years of working experience with reviewing reports or documents and exercising appropriate judgment as to whether the documents are: (a) accurate and complete, (b)  need corrections, and making corrections as appropriate, (c) may require potential research.
  • Prefers two (2) years of working experience with reviewing multiple documents and narratives and preparing a summary of the facts and legal issues in a concise and accurate manner.

Conditions of Employment

  • Requires completion of a name-based background screening and self-disclosure of criminal history.
  • Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
  • Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
  • The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers an annual budget of approximately $200 million and employs more than 400 people statewide, with several hundred more seasonal employees hired during the summer to support the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair.  Separate bureaus administer programs and services directed at conserving the State's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed, and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the State's horse racing programs.

 

AGR values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.  

 

AGR offers a robust benefit package including; 

  • Monday-Friday work schedule
  • Flexible work schedules in many program areas
  • Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
  • 12 Weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
  • Pension Plan
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  • Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
  • Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually
  • Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service
  • Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date
  • Thirteen - Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

 

If this opportunity appeals to you, please apply today!

 

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. 

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.  If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com


Nearest Major Market: Springfield

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