Paralegal- Department of Housing & Community Development

POSTING DATE: 11/25/2024

SALARY RANGE: $57,396.00 - $69,757.00 ANNUALLY

BACKGROUND CHECK:

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint must be successfully completed. 

PROBATION:

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a mandatory 6-month probation.

ELIGIBILITY:

Qualified candidates will be considered for vacancies as they arise, for a period of at least six months. The decision of the Director of Human Resources with respect to acceptable minimum qualifications is final.

EDUCATION ACCREDITATION:

Applicants’ education must be obtained from an accredited institution. Education credentials obtained out of the US must be evaluated for US equivalency. Evaluation agencies information may be obtained at www.naces.org.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

A Paralegal performs a variety of legal duties related to assisting Attorneys in various aspects of legal work including researching, interpreting and applying laws, investigating facts and preparing complex legal documents for filing in court. The work of this class involves no supervisory duties or responsibilities.

Incumbents receive moderate supervision from a technical superior. Employees in this class work a conventional workweek that may include evenings and weekends. Work is performed mainly in an office where normal working conditions are encountered. Work requires minimal physical exertion.

SELECTION PROCESS

All candidates indicating the minimum qualifications on their applications will be placed on the eligible list without further examination. The training and experience of each candidate will be evaluated for appropriateness and quantity. It is essential, therefore, that you give complete and accurate information on your application. Vagueness or omission may prevent you from being considered for this position. Qualified candidates will not be listed in rank order.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

On or before the date of filing the application, each candidate must:    
    

EDUCATION: Have an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies from an accredited college or university.

AND

EXPERIENCE: Have three (3) years of experience in performing paralegal work.

OR
 

EQUIVALENCIES: Have a high school diploma or GED certification and have five (5) years of experience performing paralegal work as a Legal Assistant or Legal Secretary.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATES:  

N/A.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of legal principles, procedures and terminology.

• Knowledge of the principles, concepts and methods of legal research and analysis.

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and criminal prosecution process.

• Knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques.

• Skill in conducting legal research.

• Skill in examining official documents and extracting pertinent information.

• Skill in drafting a wide variety of complex legal memoranda and other legal documents.

• Skill in communicating with the public, community groups, attorneys, officials and service agencies.

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective liaisons with attorneys, law enforcement officials, judicial system employees, victims and witnesses.

• Ability to use good judgement and tact in resolving human relations conflicts.

• Skill in developing evidence to support litigation activities.

• Ability to ascertain, evaluate, communicate and address community concerns.

• Ability to speak effectively before groups in order promote and explain agency policies, practices and procedures

• Ability to summarize prior and current criminal charges and convictions.

• Ability to comprehend legal concepts and Federal, State and City laws.

• Ability to utilize specialized legal software applications and related computer systems.

• Ability to maintain confidential records and prepare detailed legal reports.

• Ability to coordinate multiple priorities.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Applicants must provide sufficient information on their application to show that they meet the qualifications for this recruitment. Successful applicants will be placed on the employment certified eligible list for at least six months.

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be required to complete supplemental questions to further examine specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities of the position. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

NOTE: Those eligibles who are under final consideration for appointment to some positions in this class will be required to authorize the release of criminal conviction information.

BENEFITS:

The City of Baltimore offers a generous and competitive benefits package. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits.

Financial Disclosure:

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law.

If you have questions regarding this position, please contact Maya McEachern HR Specialist II via email at Maya.mceachern@baltimorecity.gov.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER