Paralegal I

JOB DESCRIPTION If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in-person on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, so please hold that date.
If selected to move forward, second round interviews will be held in-person and are scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024.
JOB SUMMARY: Performs a wide variety of complex paralegal and legal assistant duties in support of the City Attorney's Office; acts as department lead for requests for public records and responses to discovery or subpoenas; drafts complex legal documents for attorney review and completes detailed research of various sources; coordinates department involvement in the City’s legislative advocacy program; performs related work as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: Paralegal I (Confidential) is the entry-level classification in the paraprofessional Paralegal series that performs a variety of duties requiring the understanding and interpretation of legal issues and resources, exercise of tact, knowledge of legal concepts, and an ability to think critically, such as conducting advanced legal research, composing complex legal documents, and conducting interviews.
As Paralegal experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence.
This class is flexibly-staffed with Paralegal II and incumbents are expected to advance to the higher-level class after having gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience to meet the qualifications and demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.
SUPERVISION SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: This classification receives general supervision from a Legal Analyst under the legal review of the City Attorney.
No direct supervision is provided; however, direction, work instruction, and/or review may be provided to less experienced, part-time, or volunteer/intern staff on a project basis.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.
) Performs complex paralegal, administrative, and confidential duties for the City Attorney’s Office.
Drafts complex legal documents and prepares contracts, memos, reports, correspondence, ordinances, resolutions, opinions, briefs, and pleadings, including, but not limited to, discovery and motion filings, and legislative advocacy letters for attorney review.
Performs advanced legal research under the supervision of an attorney accessing a variety of sources such as statutes, ordinances, court decisions, legal documents, and articles, analyzing those resources for use in preparing draft legal documents for attorney review.
Coordinates attorney review for record requests including, but not limited to, California Public Records Act, Subpoena and Discovery responses, and completes searches for, and initial review of, content within the City’s email accounts and electronic files responsive to those same record requests.
Composes documents at own initiative, and from brief oral and written instructions.
Reviews legal documents for form and completeness, including proofreading, cite checking, and Shepardizing cases.
Reviews documents, memos, and letters for proper format, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Interviews witnesses, works with property owners and title officers.
Processes filing of litigation and other legal forms; compiles exhibits and proofs of service.
Recognizes and solves advanced issues and problems in situations that may require the use of tact, independent judgment, and skill in resolving conflicts; reports issues to supervisor when too complex.
Completes timely check-ins with supervisor as needed for direction and for disclosure of pertinent, high-profile, or otherwise important information.
Maintains the calendar of litigation and administrative hearing events, adding them to the calendars of the department head, management, and other staff, as appropriate.
Attends to a variety of office administrative details, such as keeping informed of departmental activities, transmitting information, attending meetings, and serving on various task forces and committees.
Enters, edits, updates, and retrieves data from a variety of narrative reports or spreadsheets and prepares periodic and special reports following established formats and timelines; may create new spreadsheet or narrative reports on a project basis.
Verifies and maintains the City's litigation and other subject matter holds Organizes and maintains various administrative, confidential, reference and follow-up files; purges files as required.
Operates standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications, or other department-specific equipment.
Provides a high level of customer service to both external and internal customers; responds to requests for information from City staff, other organizations, and the public, requiring the use of judgment and the interpretation of complex policies, rules, procedures, and ordinances.
Directs the work of and provides limited training to less experienced, part-time, or volunteer/intern staff on a project basis.
Acts as a resource to the City Attorney and other department staff.
Participate in general functions in support of the department's goals and objectives.
May deliver, retrieve, or file court documents.
Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of: Principles of legal ethics, including but not limited to the attorney-client relationship and communications, work product, privilege, and confidentiality.
Organization and function of public agencies, including the role of an elected City Council and appointed boards, commissions, and committees.
Basic legal concepts, principles, terminology, and procedures.
General legal reference materials.
Standard legal office practice and procedures including legal filing systems and standard office equipment.
Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.
Computer applications related to the work assigned, including website applications for legal research, and word processing, database management, and spreadsheets.
Records management and filing principles and practices.
Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public, the community, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Digital presentation preparation, utilizing the Microsoft Office suite.
Advanced knowledge of legal office practice and procedures.
Litigation practice including filing deadlines, motion practice, and local court rules.
Ability to: Understand statutes, court decisions, ordinances, resolutions, and legal documents.
Exercise independent judgment, tact, and discretion in the completion of varied and responsible office administrative work within established policy and procedural guidelines.
Analyze and resolve office administrative and procedural problems.
Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
Make accurate arithmetic and statistical calculations.
Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
Direct and review the work of temporary staff on a project basis.
Use specialized software related to legal research, database management, graphics and publication production, and departmental Website maintenance.
Develop effective team relationships with elected and appointed officials and City staff at all levels.
Organize own work, setting priorities, working independently on a day-to-day basis, meeting critical deadlines, and balancing multiple objectives.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including diverse internal and external customers.
Work in a team atmosphere and participating on a variety of departmental and City-wide committees to enhance to provision of all City services.
Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.
Work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer.
Lift and carry twenty pounds.
Read printed materials and a computer screen.
Conduct a variety of legal research as assigned and directed by attorneys, involving significant initiative, discretion, critical thinking, analysis, and judgment.
Draft legal documents for attorney review and filing, with minimal supervision.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Associate degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in law, criminal justice, legal administration, paralegal studies, or a related field and qualification as a paralegal as described in California Business and Professions Code 6450(c); and Three years of office, administrative, or secretarial experience, including two years in a legal office setting; or An equivalent combination of education and experience.
A bachelor’s degree is preferred.
POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF: A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
Qualification as a paralegal as described in California Business and Professions Code 6450 THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE: Livescan Fingerprinting (DOJ & FBI) For a detailed spreadsheet of employee benefits by bargaining group, please view our Benefits Summary.
Retirement: California Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS).
The City participates only in the medicare portion of Social Security.
Health: the City has a cafeteria plan for health, dental and vision insurance and contributes towards medical insurance.
Employees may choose from several health insurance options.
There are also two dental plans to choose from.
See the Benefits Summary link to determine the contribution amount.
Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: group term life and AD&D insurance is provided for all regular employees.
The amount of coverage varies depending on the classification.
Employees may purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for themselves and their dependents.
Vacation: employees receive 12 days per year increasing to 20 days after 20 years.
Holidays: employees receive 12-13 days per year depending on the classification.
Sick Leave: employees receive 12 days per year.
Administrative Leave: is a benefit available to management employees.
The number of administrative leave hours varies depending on the classification.
Flexible Work Schedule: is available to many positions within the City organization.
Long Term Disability Insurance: is available for regular employees.
The amount of benefit and contribution by employee varies by classification.
Deferred Compensation: is available for employees to set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis to supplement retirement.
Wellness Program: offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being.
Employee Assistance Program: a counseling and consultation service designed to help employees and eligible family members with a wide range of personal issues.
Flexible Benefits Program: available to help employees save taxes on: (1) Pre-tax health insurance premium deductions, (2) Unreimbursed/ uncovered medical expenses, and (3) Dependent care expenses.
Tuition Reimbursement: up to $1500 annually for job-related educational costs is available to employees who have passed probation.
Trip Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP): incentives are available for employees who voluntarily participate in alternative forms of transportation to and from work.
Computer Purchase Program: interest-free loans to employees who have passed probation and who purchase computers for personal use with City approved software configuration.
Professional Association for City Employees (PACE): voluntary organization for professional development training classes, monthly membership meetings with a variety of speakers, and social functions designed to facilitate interaction with employees from all departments in a relaxed setting away from work.