Paralegal

Pay Range: 

$29.65 - $34.88 hourly (DOE)

MONTROSE COUNTY BENEFIT INFORMATION:

2025 Montrose County Benefit Information

General Statement of Duties: Serves as an assistant to all attorneys in the County Attorney’s Office by performing professional paralegal duties in all areas covered by the legal division.  Provides assistance to other county employees as directed. 

Supervision Received:  Works under the general supervision of the County Attorney and normally receives little instruction on a day-to-day work and receives general instructions on new assignments. 

Supervision Exercised:  This position has no supervisory responsibilities 

Essential Functions:  Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class.  

• Researches legal sources, investigates facts and drafts documents such as pleadings, contracts, deeds, mortgages, releases, ordinances, resolutions, affidavits and other legal instruments for review, approval and use by the attorneys.
• Drafts and files pleadings online or with the court clerk, as appropriate.
• Maintains legal files for attorneys.
• Prepares and types correspondences and other records.
• Prepares files and documents for assessment appeals and Health and Human Services cases.
• Prepares document notebooks and other tools for attorneys’ use in court or administrative hearings.
• Must have high energy and initiative.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:  A High school graduate or equivalent. Paralegal certification is preferred.  

Experience:  A minimum of five (5) years paralegal and/or legal assistant experience.  Experience in a public entity is preferred. 

Required Knowledge:  Must have good knowledge of legal, administrative, and general office procedures.  Must have accomplished administrative assistant skills and proficient in all types of digital equipment including computers, scanners, copiers, telephone and recording devices.  Ability to create and maintain accurate records, filing system and folders.  Must understand the confidential nature of the office. 

Language Skills:  Must have the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and the skill to organize materials and present information clearly and concisely in verbal and written form. Must be able to read, understand, and interpret complex documents. Must understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Must have proficient knowledge of the English language, proper grammar, punctuation and spelling in other oral and written communication and have understanding of current technical report and business correspondence writing techniques and methods. Must be able to read, comprehend and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and standard operating procedures required for this position, as well as, technical reports, procedure documents and manuals. Must be able to make effective and persuasive presentation on complex topics to a wide variety of audiences. 

Interpersonal Skills:  Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Have strong customer service orientation and work collaboratively within a team environment. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Must have the skill to organize work flow and accomplish established objectives. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must maintain appropriate professional boundaries in relationships with customer/clients and the general public. 

Mathematical Skills:  Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.  

Reasoning Skills:  Must be able to apply principles of logic and reasoning or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems and work independently with minimal direction. Must be able to prioritize work and simultaneously manage multiple responsibilities at times under pressure of tight deadlines and emotional situations. Must have the skill to solve problems involving concrete and abstract variables in a variety of situations within established guidelines. 

Office Technology/Computer Skills:  Must be able to effectively use typical office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must be proficient in word processing, database manipulation, spread sheets, email, and the knowledge to save and retrieve documents from a variety of destinations and sources with a high degree of accuracy. Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County. This person should also have knowledge of legal programs such as Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw and Fastcase.

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination.  Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other devices and objects.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from field and meetings as required. Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations. 

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.  Ability to tolerate and be productive in a quiet to moderate noise level in the work place.  Employee will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field such as driving and inclement weather and potential hostile clientele. 

Special Requirements:  Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving history. 

Other Duties:  Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Salary

• $29.65 - $34.88/hour