Paralegal

The current vacancy is in the Children Services Division of the Department of Employment and Social Services.

The eligibility list created from this recruitment may be used to fill any current or future vacancies in ANY Butte County Department. 

Note: A training and experience evaluation may be utilized to determine an applicant's ranking among qualified candidates. Based upon information provided in this application including responses to supplemental questions, an applicant's education, training and experience (full-time equivalent) may be evaluated. Applicants should provide thoughtful and thorough responses to supplemental questions as they play an important role in this recruitment process.  All qualifying work experience that is described or included in responses to supplemental questions MUST also be included and detailed in the "Work Experience" section of this application. "See Resume" is not an acceptable response for any supplemental question. 

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION

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. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel or designee. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is journey-level classification in the administrative assistant 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 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.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• 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.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques or 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.

Ability To:

• 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.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training, experience and educational degrees that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Substitutions will be made on a year for year basis. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

 High school diploma or equivalent GED certificate; and

 Two (2) years of general secretarial or clerical office support experience preparing a variety of legal documents in a public or private law office.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.
• 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. 
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer and standard office equipment.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.