Paralegal

Spotsylvania County is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace. Employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing or using controlled substances such as marijuana. A positive drug test result, confirmed use or impairment can be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination in accordance with our personnel policies.

A positive pre-employment drug test will also disqualify a candidate for hire.

Under limited supervision, provides paralegal and administrative work in support of the County Attorney's Office. Work involves providing paralegal support, performing legal research, drafting legal documents, maintaining County Code and law library, and answering inquiries based on standing opinions of County Attorney's Office or other precedents. Work also involves coordinating administrative functions of the County Attorney's Office, maintaining and managing office budget, maintaining office calendar, maintaining office files/records, and providing customer service.

• Provides paralegal support for the County Attorneys, Deputy County Attorney, or other staff members.
• Performs legal research and factual research using law library and electronic data sources; conducts legal research to identify current law and changes in law, to locate case authorities or other law, to identify precedents, or to locate other information.
• Maintains County Codes, Law Library materials, Internet/CD-ROM research resources, and other data sources; prepares and distributes code amendments; maintains library of current research materials, legal resources, periodicals, state codes, legal books, legal forms, or other reference materials.
• Assists in conducting title searches and public records searches.
• Drafts legal documents, including deeds, policies, ordinances, contracts, correspondence, and other documentation; prepares deeds for transfer of property rights; prepares deeds and other closing documents for property acquisition; assists planning department staff with preparation of deeds for acquisition of easements for rural road projects.
• Answers routine inquiries based on standing opinions of the County Attorney and other precedents; determines whether inquiries can be lawfully addressed within the County Attorney's Office, whether inquiries can be answered logically on basis of prior standing opinion of the Office, and whether response should be made in writing or orally.
• Prepares and assists with processing of redistricting submittals to Justice Department.
• Coordinates administrative functions of the County Attorney's Office; processes a variety of documentation associated with department operations within designated timeframes and per established procedures.
• Prepares, maintains, and assists with management of office budget; receives, corrects, and generates draft budget documents.
• Maintains office calendar and coordinates calendar activities; schedules meetings, appointments, interviews, or other activities; updates calendars on a regular basis; notifies parties involved of any changes.
• Maintains tickler system to monitor deadlines, status of documentation, scheduled activities, or other issues requiring timely action/response; makes reminder calls/notices and performs follow-up on status of items in tickler.
• Performs customer service functions; provides assistance and information related to department services, county services, court issues, legal records, procedures, forms, fees, or other issues; responds to complaints and routine questions; researches problems and initiates problem resolution.
• Answers telephone calls and greets visitors; screens calls and ascertains nature of business; provides information and assistance; directs callers/visitors to appropriate personnel; records/relays messages; initiates and returns calls as necessary.
• Ensures adherence to established policies regarding provision of legal information/advice.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, legal documents, deeds, ordinances, policies, contracts, public hearing notices, agendas, budget documents, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, budget documents, budget reports, draft legal documents, state/county codes, legal periodicals, office opinion file, legal research resources, title reports, plats, laws, policies, procedures, manuals, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; performs data entry functions by keying data into computer system; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, legal research, Internet, email, or other computer programs; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, ink, or toner; coordinates service/repair activities as needed.
• Maintains file system of department files/records; prepares and sets up files; sorts/organizes documents to be filed; files documents in designated order; retrieves/replaces files; purges files and destroys/disposes of obsolete records as appropriate.
• Provides guidance to other county departments regarding records management, records retention, and related issues.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, county officials, board members, other County Attorney Offices, private attorneys, court officials, law enforcement officials, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
• Maintains court-ordered restitution spreadsheet, deposit payments with Treasurer, provide receipts to defendants.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor's Degree with a preferred emphasis in Paralegal Science, as well as at least three years of law office experience, local government experience preferred; or a Paralegal Certificate and five (5) years of previous experience and/or training in a law office, local government preferred, legal assistant work, office management, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.