Paralegal - Confidential

Butte County•Oroville, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, conducts legal research and prepares cases and legal documents in support of Butte County attorneys and in accordance with policies, procedures, and state, federal, and local laws; and performs related duties as assigned. This is a journey-level classification in the Paralegal - C series. Positions at this level perform the full range of duties as assigned, work independently, and exercise 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 class is distinguished from the Senior Paralegal - C in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series and provides technical and functional direction to assigned technical and legal office support staff.

Requirements

Methods and techniques of legal research, discovery, fact investigation, and standard legal reference materials.
Court systems, processes, and procedures.
Processes and procedures related to criminal and civil case processing for prosecution and litigation.
Principles and practices of case file management and recordkeeping.
Investigative interviewing techniques.
Business and legal correspondence writing and the legal format for reports, contracts, agreements, correspondence, memoranda, and related documents.
Methods of preparing and processing various legal records, reports, forms, contracts, agreements, case files, and other legal documents.
Operations, services, programs, policies, procedures, and processes of the department to which the position is assigned.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Perform varied and responsible legal research, case preparation, and legal document preparation work, requiring the use of independent judgment and discretion, with accuracy and speed.
Compose clear and concise legal reports, correspondence, case files, contracts, agreements, memoranda, and other written materials independently or from brief instructions.
Prepare and process various legal records, reports, forms, contracts, agreements, case files, and other documents specific to assigned department.
Maintain confidentiality of information received.
Research, analyze, and compile case information from a variety of sources.
Understand, interpret, explain, and apply all pertinent laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances and County policies and procedures relevant to work performed.
Establish and maintain a variety of case file management, legal recordkeeping, and tracking systems.
Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by paralegal or law-related coursework.
Two (2) years of general secretarial or clerical office support experience preparing a variety of legal documents in a public or private law office.

Nice To Haves

Certification by the California State Bar Association as a certified law student per California Rules of Court, Rule 9.42; or meet the qualifications of a Paralegal per California Business & Professions Code Section 6450.

Responsibilities

Researches and analyzes criminal and civil law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes; documents and presents findings; maintains and updates department legal information, procedures, and reference materials.
Drafts responses to legal questions, legal opinions, appeals, pleadings, subpoenas, interrogatories, requests for production, deposition notices, resolutions, settlement agreements, contracts, collections, and other legal correspondence and documents.
Prepares and proofs legal documents such as briefs, petitions, motions, affidavits, and other documents for attorney use in cases and/or court.
Assists attorneys in preparing litigation and prosecution cases and determining actions by investigating facts and case law, reading and reviewing reports, acquiring background information, contacting and interviewing witnesses, victims, and other participants in the legal process, and contacting attorneys and others associated with cases to gather pertinent information; reviews and recommends case strategy.
Tracks the course and deadlines of cases; organizes trial orders, schedules, and court filings; tracks legal documents and routes to defendants, attorneys, and courts for processing.
Assists at trials, hearings, deposition, and strategy meetings.
Organizes and maintains accurate and detailed case files; verifies accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records information; ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws and established records retention schedules including archiving, scanning, and destructing files.
Researches, compiles, and summarizes data from various sources and prepares a variety of reports for internal and external audiences according to established procedures and practices.
Receives, processes, and responds to public records requests, complaints, and other requests for information; researches and organizes information; coordinates resolution to problems and issues.
Performs a variety of legal administrative and office support duties requiring knowledge of assigned department, legal processes and procedures, and operational details.
Completes special projects as assigned.
Performs related duties as assigned.