County Counsel Senior Paralegal

San Bernardino County • San Bernardino, CA

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the County Counsel is recruiting for a Senior Paralegal in the Litigation Unit. The Senior Paralegal will serve as a lead to other lower-level Paralegals and Paralegal Interns. Senior Paralegals operate with a high degree of independence, original writing and discretion in pursuing appropriate courses of action and may assist attorneys in the preparation of cases for trial and various hearing matters. Senior Paralegals may have the opportunity to work a flexible schedule after six months of employment, which may include a 9/80 schedule and/or partial remote work option.

Requirements

• Must be a current San Bernardino County, Fire Department, or Special Districts employee holding a regular, contract, extra-help, recurrent, Public Service Employee, WEX, or intern position.
• Former PSE, WEX, or interns are eligible to apply up to 6 months from the end of their assignment.
• Current County employment must be included in work history.
• Two (2) years of full-time experience in propounding and responding to discovery, researching and drafting legal pleadings, responding to Public Records Act requests or other document production requests, and preparing legal research memoranda.
• Must be currently working as a County Counsel Paralegal in San Bernardino County.
• Option 1: A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.
• Option 2: A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a post-secondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter), or equivalent, units in law-related courses that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau of Private Post-secondary and Vocational Education.
• Option 3: A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one (1) year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three (3) years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating the applicant is qualified to perform legal tasks.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced level of experience, knowledge and ability to assist with the review and preparation of complex legal documents and matters.
• Paralegal experience assisting civil law attorneys with civil litigation in a California County Counsel’s Office and/or experience in the area of civil law in a public agency is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead to other lower-level Paralegals and Paralegal Interns.
• Operate with a high degree of independence, original writing and discretion in pursuing appropriate courses of action.
• Assist attorneys in the preparation of cases for trial and various hearing matters.
• Propound and respond to discovery.
• Research and draft legal pleadings.
• Respond to Public Records Act requests or other document production requests.
• Prepare legal research memoranda.
• Interpret and analyze applicable state and federal law.
• Analyze requests for public records, review databases of documents to separate responsive records from exempt or privileged records and work with attorneys in preparing response to the requestor.
• Conduct complex legal research from a variety of sources.
• Prepare procedures to reflect changes in the law and provide appropriate training.
• Identify and recommend changes in staff workloads and assignments to direct workflow.

Benefits

• Merit-based step increases within the salary range, up to the maximum step.
• Flexible schedule after six months of employment, which may include a 9/80 schedule and/or partial remote work option.
• Summary of Benefits Exempt Ordinance
• Alternative Modified Benefits Option (MBO) that provides a wage differential.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level