Paralegal-DSS

Guilford County • 301 West Market Street Greensboro, NC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Performs legal work assisting County staff attorneys in the performance of a wide variety of legal duties and services for all County departments. An employee in this class assists County staff attorneys in the County Legal Department in areas assigned to Juvenile Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Court, as assigned by staff attorneys. Work includes typing court orders, managing cases and records, researching issues involving NCGS Chapter 7B, assisting staff attorneys in investigating and preparing for miscellaneous litigation in which the County may be involved, communicating with parties to assigned cases, and reviewing and drafting various documents. Basic practical legal skills are required to perform the assigned duties. Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Attorney, but Assistant Attorneys assign specific work. Work is evaluated chiefly by assignment results achieved and statutory deadlines (for example, court orders for juvenile matters must be filed no later than 30 days from the hearing date).

Requirements

• Knowledge of relevant legal terminology.
• Knowledge of legal research and investigation methodology.
• Working knowledge of relevant engineering and surveyor terminology and equipment.
• Working knowledge of local government structure and operations, emphasis on detailed knowledge of tax office, social services, administration and operations.
• Ability to read and understand legal documents such as contracts, deeds, claims, and opinions.
• Ability to prepare necessary records, reports and documents.
• Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Associate degree and one year of experience as a Paralegal.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Paralegal Technology.

Responsibilities

• Maintain DSS juvenile case files: Organize petitions, summonses, custody orders, court orders, motions, notices, court reports from social workers, medical/mental health records, and correspondence
• Maintain electronic and paper files to support the attorney’s trial preparation
• Track the status of each case from initial petition disposition, reviews, permanency planning, and possible termination of parental rights.
• Prepare Court Documents: Assist the assigned staff attorney with drafting or preparing petitions, motions, notices, proposed orders, subpoenas, discovery-related documents, responses, exhibits, and witness lists
• Proofread documents for accuracy, names, dates, case numbers, and statutory references
• File documents via the ECourts e-filing/document platform
• Assist staff attorneys in trial preparation in areas such as gathering exhibits for evidence, locating concerned parties, preparing documents for parties, arranging pre-trial interviews if necessary, and gathering special information such as recent DSS reports, medical records, placement information, service-provider records, and prior orders.
• Communication Skills: Coordinate with DSS social workers to obtain updated case information, request missing documents and reports, and help ensure the attorney has current information before the hearings.
• Conduct legal research as needed by the assigned staff attorney

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree