Paralegal I – Child Welfare

Mesa County•Grand Junction, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Prepares legal documents, researches issues, and under the direction of attorney(s) manages all aspects of a dependency and neglect caseload. Work will include, but is not limited to, preparing pleadings, trial notebooks, redaction of confidential information using Adobe Pro, tracking information coming in and out of the office using an Access database or other software, all ICWA matters, and working closely with the Department of Human Services. All work is performed under the supervision of an attorney and/or the Supervisor, and at the request of the attorney and/or the Supervisor.

Requirements

Paralegal certification program
Two (2) years of experience in legal work
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.
Certificate of completion from ABA approved paralegal program is required.

Responsibilities

Ensures that all responsibilities concerning the case status of assigned duties within the D&N caseload is completed from initial contact with citizens, professionals, and caseworkers through settlement or hearing.
Ensures the proper filing of documents with the courts.
Ensures legal jurisdiction over the parties is acquired in all cases by ensuring valid service of process is obtained or notice is published for all parties within statutory time frames.
Utilizes standard naming system for all computer documents in order to allow easy retrieval by other staff members.
Organizes, creates and maintains legal files and filing system, or assists in the organization, creation and maintenance of legal files and filing system.
Files paperwork in appropriate folders.
Drafts routine to complex pleadings and correspondence including but not limited to petitions, summonses, ICWA motions and notices, stipulations, affidavits, subpoenas, routine to complex motions to the court citing appropriate case law, discovery requests and responses and jury instructions.
Obtains information needed for drafting legal pleadings, and provide guidance and feedback on matters pertaining to caseload.
Evaluates evidence and makes recommendations as to its use in court proceedings.
Prepares jury instructions for trial.
Drafts forms as requested by attorney or supervisor to conform to statutory criteria.
Works with Court personnel to set hearings and calculate deadlines.
Communicate dates of hearings to attorneys and other appropriate parties.
Drafts standardized and non-standardized legal documents, forms, and correspondence upon request of supervisor or attorneys.
Carefully reviews files for necessary dates and other information to independently prepare draft pleadings and/or correspondence from scratch, including complex pleadings which require additional research and/or verification of legal statutes.
Notes questions on draft if uncertain regarding any aspect of content; returns to supervisor or attorney for review.
Proofreads each document produced for errors in format, style, and/or typographical errors; makes corrections as necessary.
May fill in for other paralegals and legal assistant positions to draft routine pleadings, answer phone and process court run as needed.
Performs other duties as are deemed appropriate by the County Attorney or the Supervisor, including work on the county business matters or other caseloads.
Evaluates and establishes workload priorities and prepares documents in accordance with any time requirements set by attorneys or supervisor.
Demonstrate ability to work with County staff at all levels and to respond in a competent and timely manner to job assignments as requested and as assigned by supervisor.
Maintain effective contact with County staff on an ongoing basis.
Effectively use computer resources to supplement office routine and for preparation and correction of all documents.
Effectively utilize computer research capabilities for legal research.
Communicate with supervisor on a regular basis as to the progress of assigned projects and court proceedings.
Keep the supervisor advised of any matters being worked on which have come in through other channels and/or which have not been directly assigned by supervisor.
Be present in the office, or at specific other locations as required by the schedule, during normal working hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to provide support to County staff as required and as assigned.
Oral and written communications must be clear and effective.
Performs other related duties as assigned.