Legal Officer - Special Loan Management

Overview:

Job Summary   

EDA Overview 

• Join the NJEDA and help lead New Jersey to sustainable economic growth, fostering equitable opportunities and vibrant communities. We offer hybrid work, a supportive culture, and robust benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and extensive wellness programs. Make a tangible impact and shape New Jersey's future with innovative economic development at NJEDA. 

Job Overview 

• As part of the Special Loan Management team, the Legal Officer plays a crucial role in the recovery of public funds from defaulted loan and grant projects through litigation. 

• This involves preparing, filing and managing various legal actions in conjunction with the AG’s office and ensuring proper service to defendants.  

• Ideally suited for a paralegal, this position requires experience in litigation support, a strong understanding of legal procedures and excellent organizational and communication skills. Experience with property and lien searches, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the E-Courts filing system is strongly preferred. 

$65,484 - $81,855

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a manager's approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Duties  

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Prepare necessary court filings and documents, and upon AG’s office, files lawsuits in E-courts. Serve legal notices and track defendants' locations for proper service. 

• Manage active ligation cases; meets court deadlines and dockets judgements. 

• Prepare new SLM transfer files and requests assignment of Deputy Attorney General (DAG) if required. Order appropriate searches, (e.g. credit reports, litigation/judgment searches when requested. 

Projects:  

• Assist in research projects and prepare summaries and documents for delinquent loans and defaulted grants and incentives 

Goals and Objectives: 

• Support the SLM team in resolving defaulted loans and grants remeasured by number of product defaults cured, forbearance agreements entered, docketed judgments and the amount and number of defaulted loan repayments. 

• Process of high volume of new SLM account transfers in a timely manner to optimize EDA’s chances of recovering defaulted loans/grants 

• Maintain up-to-date CRM records for litigations, judgements, forbearances, and compliance exceptions per department procedures. 

Collaboration and Cross-Divisional Interaction: 

• Work closely with Deputy Attorney Generals on litigation and information requests.  Manages active cases and ensures timely responses by the assigned DAGs. 

• Create and maintain reports on ongoing litigation and present summaries during meetings. 

• Collaborate with Loan Serving and Bond Compliance staff with UCC filings and mortgage discharges as needed. 

Reporting Structure: 

• Report to the Vice President - Post Closing Financial Services, follow the direction of the Team Lead, and cooperate with Officers 

• Exercise a high level of independence in managing and executing work. Demonstrate decision making on legal and training new DAGs in court procedures and filings. 

• Must complete annual self-assessment as required. 

• Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned. 

Skills and Qualifications  

Technical Skills: 

• Understanding of foreclosure actions, law division, bankruptcy, how to initiate litigation actions, and complete service of defendants. 

• Ability to prepare legal documentation including drafting and amending complaints.  

• Knowledge and understanding of collection/recovery matters and contract dispute.  

Soft Skills: 

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills. 

• Attentive to detail. 

• Must be able to prioritize assignments from multiple sources. 

• Effective communication skills, both verbally and written; proficient in grammar, spelling and editing; ability to foster communication with business professionals and EDA staff. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and EDA staff. 

Certifications: 

• Paralegal certification is strongly preferred 

Experience: 

• Five years’ experience in litigation support, foreclosures, collections and bankruptcy filings, with an emphasis on foreclosures and Law Division actions. 

• Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience 

Software/Tools Proficiency: 

• E-Courts filing system. 

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM software preferred; must be able to learn and apply to work  

• Ability to access public deed/mortgage records and/or vendor search sites. 

• Familiarity with ReQlogic or similar procurement software 

• NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is preferred. 

Additional Information 

• Minimal physical demands and ability to work out normal business hours 

• Travel expected when necessary for business operations 

Certificates and Licenses Required 

• Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position. 

Note  

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. 

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.   

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA. 

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs. 

NJ SAME Program 

 In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce.  

The SAME program allows candidates, who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. For more information about the SAME program and the Fast Track Hiring program, please Click Here.  If you have any questions, please email, or call the contact as indicated on the job vacancy announcement. 

This posting open to eligible applicants regardless of SAME eligibility. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Position Requirements 

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date.  If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded. 

• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources. 

• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.  

• Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website. 

• Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.