Paralegal I/II

County of Shasta•Redding, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The current vacancy is in the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office. This position provides paraprofessional legal support work, including legal research and legal document preparation, requiring knowledge of legal theory and procedures. The Paralegal I is an entry-level position under close supervision, learning routine duties and progressing to more complex assignments. The Paralegal II is a journey-level position, performing the full range of duties independently with initiative and judgment. The District Attorney's office includes a Prosecution Unit, Bureau of Investigations, and Crime Victims Assistance Center, supported by fiscal, IT, community education, and administrative teams.

Requirements

Knowledge of procedures involved in finding relevant material in standard legal reference books.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of legal research, discovery and fact investigation.
Knowledge of civil procedure.
Knowledge of principles of legal writing.
Knowledge of legal concepts, terminology, phraseology, forms, documents, principles, procedures and practices.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local court processes and procedures.
Knowledge of general operation of the court system.
Knowledge of computer equipment and applications utilized by the department.
Knowledge of office methods and practices, procedures, supplies and equipment.
Knowledge of proper English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Knowledge of business correspondence and report writing.
Knowledge of basic principles and techniques of training and supervision.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written directions.
Ability to independently gather information and prepare reports and correspondence.
Ability to research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal issues.
Ability to organize large amounts of data, facts and research.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to read and understand federal and state court decisions, statutes, regulations and legal documents.
Ability to draft legal documents and pleadings.
Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules and written and oral directions to specific situations requiring the use of independent judgment and minimal supervision.
Ability to use sound judgment within the scope and limit of authority delegated.
Ability to manage assigned workload.
Ability to operate personal computers and utilize computer applications used by the department.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships.
Ability to 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 office (for Paralegal I).
Two (2) years of paralegal experience comparable to a Paralegal I 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 baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one 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 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 that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.
A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three 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 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 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

Experienced in criminal prosecution or a strong interest in prosecution work.
Experienced in legal research, writing, and analytical work.
Comfortable preparing and assisting with a wide range of legal documents.
Experienced in reviewing discovery and trial transcripts, as well as familiarity with resentencing petitions, expungements, and registration relief.

Responsibilities

Performs paralegal services for 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.
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.