Paralegal I/II-Confidential

County of Shasta•Redding, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The County Counsel provides most of the civil legal services required by the County. The County Counsel represents the County and its officers and employees in civil actions. The office drafts or reviews for legal sufficiency all proposed legislation, contracts, leases, deeds, ordinances, and resolutions. Statutory interpretation and the issuance of legal opinions in response to requests from County officials comprise another major area of responsibility. The County Counsel also identifies and explains legal trends to assist in program planning. Paralegal I-Confidential: Under close supervision of attorney staff, provides paraprofessional legal support work including legal research and legal document preparation requiring knowledge of legal theory and procedures and to perform related duties as required. Paralegal II-Confidential: Under general supervision of attorney staff, provides paraprofessional legal support work including legal research and legal document preparation requiring knowledge of legal theory and procedures and to perform related duties as required. Paralegal I-Confidential: This paraprofessional classification performs a variety of legal tasks under the supervision of attorney staff. Incumbents will generally receive assignments involving the preparation and analysis of legal documents, routine legal research and application of technical knowledge involving legal theory and procedures. Incumbents may also train clerical staff. Paralegal I is the entry-level paraprofessional classification in the Paralegal series. Initially under immediate supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine paralegal duties. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. This is a Confidential classification. Confidential in this context according to the Personnel Rules means "a non-management employee who, in the course of his or her duties, is regularly privy to management planning or decision making regarding the County's administration of employer-employee relations as determined by the Board of Supervisors." Paralegal II-Confidential: This paraprofessional classification performs a variety of legal tasks under the supervision of attorney staff. Incumbents will generally receive assignments involving the preparation and analysis of legal documents, routine legal research and application of technical knowledge involving legal theory and procedures. Incumbents may also train clerical staff. Paralegal II is the fully qualified journey-level paraprofessional classification in the Paralegal series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This is a Confidential classification. Confidential in this context according to the Personnel Rules means "a non-management employee who, in the course of his or her duties, is regularly privy to management planning or decision making regarding the County's administration of employer-employee relations as determined by the Board of Supervisors."

Requirements

Procedures involved in finding relevant material in standard legal reference books
Methods and techniques of legal research, discovery and fact investigation
Civil procedure
Principles of legal writing
Legal concepts, terminology, phraseology, forms, documents, principles, procedures and practices
Federal, state, and local court processes and procedures
General operation of the court system
Computer equipment and applications utilized by the department
Office methods and practices, procedures, supplies and equipment
Proper English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation
Business correspondence and report writing
Basic principles and techniques of training and supervision
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
Understand and carry out complex oral and written directions
Independently gather information and prepare reports and correspondence
Research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal issues
Organize large amounts of data, facts and research
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Read and understand federal and state court decisions, statutes, regulations and legal documents
Draft legal documents and pleadings
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
Interpret and apply laws, rules and written and oral directions to specific situations requiring the use of independent judgment and minimal supervision
Use sound judgment within the scope and limit of authority delegated
Manage assigned workload
Operate personal computers and utilize computer applications used by the department
Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships
Follow workplace safety policies and procedures
Two (2) years of secretarial or clerical office support experience preparing a variety of legal documents in a public or private law practice (for Paralegal I)
Two (2) years of paralegal experience comparable to a Paralegal I – Confidential with Shasta County (for Paralegal II)
A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association
A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
A bachelor’s 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 (3) years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks
A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three (3) years 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 (3) years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003.

Nice To Haves

Incumbents may also train clerical staff.
Incumbents may also train clerical staff.

Responsibilities

Performs paralegal services for the County Counsel and attorney staff
Researches legal issues and reviews statutes and other municipal codes/ordinances, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and other documents
Drafts routine pleadings, briefs, appeals and other litigation related documents including, but not limited to, petitions, complaints, answers, and declarations
Reviews and summarizes deposition and hearing transcripts
Drafts routine ordinances, resolutions, leases, contracts and contract amendments, staff reports, deed restrictions/conservation easements and standard real estate documents
Acts on an intermediate level as small claims advisor
Provides legal technical support in various areas of civil law for projects such as: processing, codification and publication of County ordinances and ensuring internal consistency of the County Code
Prepares public hearing notices
Calendaring and tracking milestones related to real estate transactions
Assists staff in tracking existing and proposed legislation
Provides legislative history and status reports
Contacts attorneys and others to coordinate calendars, meetings and the conduct of legal business
Organizes and maintains litigation and non-litigation files and materials
Organizes document control in situations involving voluminous documents
May appear in court in a support capacity for attorneys
Performs related duties as assigned