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Description

Pay Grade: H

The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is one of Georgia's four health agencies serving the state's growing population of over 10 million people. DCH serves as the lead agency for Medicaid, oversees the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) and Healthcare Facility Regulation, impacting one in four Georgians.

Through effective planning, purchasing and oversight, DCH provides access to affordable, quality health care to millions of Georgians, including some of the state's most vulnerable and under-served populations. Six enterprise offices support the work of the agency’s three program divisions. DCH employees are based in Atlanta, Cordele and across the state.

DCH is committed to providing superior C ustomer Service and C ommunication, embracing T eamwork and fostering A ccountability to ensure that our internal and external customers and stakeholders feel included, respected, engaged and secure.

The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is one of Georgia's four health agencies serving the state's growing population of almost 10 million people. DCH serves as the lead agency for Medicaid, oversees the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), and includes Healthcare Facility Regulation, impacting one in four Georgians. Through effective planning, purchasing and oversight, DCH provides access to affordable, quality health care to millions of Georgians, including some of the state's most vulnerable and under-served populations. Six enterprise offices support the work of the agency's three program divisions. DCH employees are based in Atlanta, Cordele and across the state.

The Georgia Department of Community Health, Office of General Counsel, is seeking a paralegal to serve as the Open Records Paralegal . The paralegal works closely with and is supervised by an attorney who is the Open Records Officer. This is a hybrid position that requires in-office and remote work with the approval of the supervisor. The days and frequency in the office can change at any time during employment based on the business needs of the organization.

Job Responsibilities

Under general supervision, conducts research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action. Drafts and prepares legal documents for review. Assists legal offices with scheduling hearings, appointments and interviews.

Job Responsibilities

• Reviews and analyzes requests for public records from attorneys, the media, and other parties. Provides internal legal guidance for the retrieval, review, and distribution of open records. Determines whether open records are subject to redaction or withholding due to a legal exception.
• Corresponds daily with DCH program administrators, outside vendors, and requesting parties to coordinate fulfillment of Open Records Act requests. Maintains calendar and scheduling of Open Records Act requests. Maintains database and notes of all requests with supporting documentation in Department's electronic repository.
• Performs a detailed review and analysis of responsive records before disclosure to remove/redact any exempt contents such as trade secret data or protected health information. Coordinates responses to requests for production of documents and other legal requests. Processes and tracks payments for Open Records Requests.
• Assist Open Records Officer with training within the Department to new and existing employees, and external parties doing business on behalf of the Department.
• Performs job responsibilities with minimal supervision. Serves as job expert or organization resource in assigned areas.
• Responds appropriately to inquiries, requests for assistance, complaints, etc. from Department/division staff and external parties.
• Coordinates functions with those of other units/divisions to resolve problems and ensure quality of services to customers.
• Prepares weekly reports showing status of open requests.
• Participates in presentation of open records meetings in conjunction with open records officer.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate's degree in paralegal studies from an accredited college or university OR certificate from a paralegal training program AND One year of experience in a legal environment OR Two years of experience as a legal assistant in a legal environment.

Preferred Qualifications

AGENCY SPECIFIC PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Preference will be given to candidates who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, demonstrate some or all of the following skills/experience):

• Prior experience in state government
• Prior open records or document review experience

Additional Information

EARN MORE THAN A SALARY! In addition to a competitive salary, the Georgia Department of Community Health offers a generous benefits package, which includes employee retirement plan; paid holidays annually; vacation and sick leave; health, dental, vision, legal, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, health and child care spending account.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO CLOSE AT ANY TIME ONCE A SATISFACTORY APPLICANT POOL HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. APPLICATIONS WITHOUT WORK EXPERIENCE LISTED WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. CURRENT GEORGIA STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WILL BE SUBJECT TO STATE PERSONNEL BOARD (SPB) RULE PROVISIONS. THE POSITION MAY BE FILLED AT A LOWER OR HIGHER POSITION LEVEL.

This position is unclassified and employment is at-will. Candidates for this position are subject to a background history reference check. For more information about this job

contact: : http://dch.ga.gov