Part-Time Paralegal

Paralegal will assist Corporation Counsel in providing legal services to the City, elected officials and departments.  This position will provide administrative assistance with all matters related to legal research and analysis; preparation of drafts of legal writing for motions/ordinances; and organize, file and track various details related to all pending litigation either filed on behalf of or against the City.

The City of Dearborn Heights is a public corporation.  The employees of the City are required to serve citizens and customers in a tactful, courteous manner; establish and maintain good working relationships with staff, directors, elected officials, and general public. Employees in this position must demonstrate honesty and integrity.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs basic legal research of statutes, case law, attorney general opinions, court rules, sentencing guidelines and related documents, utilizing both Michigan State and Federal sources.
• Drafts pleadings, legal briefs, jury instructions, motions, correspondence and other written documentation.
• Assists Corporate Council in preparing cases by collecting background information and evidence, discovery responses, court documents, official records, photographs, correspondence and other documentation.
• Maintains and upgrades the law office legal resources including the library and brief bank; compiles and tracks research and reference materials.
• Assists in the work assignment, training and coordination of interns, volunteers and part time employee that may be utilized by the department.
• Performs a variety of legal office support work such as maintaining records and files, providing information to others, screening and routing of correspondence and preparing reports related to the work of the department.
• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality in all transitions related to work.
• Operates standard office equipment.
• May be required to drive a personal or city vehicle to various locations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Specifications (Skills, Mental and Physical)

• Must have the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form
• Must be able to read at a level to understand procedures and methods related to the job, as well as communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Must have math ability that includes algebra, finance skills and budgeting/accounting
• Must be able to complete work duties that include reaching, handling, fingering, feeling and repetitive motions
• Must have hearing to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and receive detailed information through oral communication and/or make fine distinctions in sound
• Must have visual acuity for determining accuracy, thoroughness of work and observation of general surroundings and activities
• Must be able to adapt to changing situations, work well with others and participate in a team-oriented environment
• Must be able to be customer oriented and maintain excellent customer service     

Environmental Conditions and Equipment Used

• Must be able to complete light work that includes exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work
• Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including but not limited to a computer and telephone. 

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with a paralegal degree required;
• Minimum of five years related experience in the legal field, law office or equivalent;
• Experience in related government law, preferred;
• Excellent written & oral communication skills; able to work within legal frameworks;
• Excellent organizational skills and able to track data from multiple sources;
• Ability to initiate work tasks with general instructions provided;
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, associates, officers of other agencies, and the public.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, not construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that could be performed by a person in this classification.