DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  Under general supervision, an incumbent of this class performs various paralegal tasks in support of lawyers, including, but not limited to, research, review and preparation of legal documents, processing of petitions and Court orders, and preparation of litigation cases. The work involves extensive interactions with legal professionals, Department staff and the public.  Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative only)

• Assists attorneys by compiling and drafting legal documents and supportive data to relieve them of routine tasks and to prepare for court appearances;
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of reports required by federal, state and county agencies by obtaining signatures for documents and delivery of documents to appropriate agencies by scheduled deadlines;
• Represents the Department by serving legal papers to private citizens and public institutions and files court petitions to ensure that requirements are met in a timely fashion;
• Assists legal staff with research, review and analysis of contracts and other legal documents in order that contracts and legal documents are completed in accordance with Department standards;
• Enters legal case data on automated systems to ensure that accurate information is preserved and available for later use;
• Participates in the development and implementation of research projects and procedures by providing technical assistance to Department staff;
• Coordinates petition procedures between Courts and other County departments in order to meet deadlines;
• Maintains law files and updates law library to systemize information for easy retrieval;
• Compiles information on pending litigation to provide verification for financial audits;
• Delivers documents to other county departments;
• Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

When Assigned to the Department of Social Services, the incumbent:

• Represents the Department at administrative hearings (including preparation of case material, preparing summary, presenting evidence, reviewing decisions and advising units on appropriate response to decision);
• Supervises Resource Recovery/Fraud staff;
• Researches legal referrals concerning program integrity and program violations, and takes appropriate corrective action, as necessary;
• Processes legal referrals and answers questions from the public and units within the Department;
• Prepares responses to complaints and inquiries from the public and media;
• Researches, interprets, and applies relevant laws, case law and statutes, administrative directives (ADM’s) and regulations;
• Resolves compliance issues and civil rights complaints;
• Researches, reviews, and prepares legal documents, including but not limited to petitions, pleadings, orders, etc.;
• Researches, prepares, and maintains reports and statistics required by federal, state and county agencies;
• Processes personal injury and real estate liens, estate claims, resource recovery, nursing home and chronic care referrals;
• Reviews and monitors trust accounts;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:   Good knowledge of legal terminology; good knowledge of legal research; good knowledge of administrative practices and procedures; skill in preparing and drafting legal instruments; ability to analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems; ability to follow complex oral and written instructions; ability to maintain effective working relationships; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to groups and individuals; ability to use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail and database software; good professional judgment; initiative; confidentiality; tact and courtesy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either,

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree and completion of one year of Law school; or
2. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree and possession of a Paralegal certificate; or
3. Possession of an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies and possession of a Paralegal certificate; or
4. Possession of an Associate’s degree, possession of a Paralegal certificate, and two (2) years of full-time paid legal experience within a law office; or
5. An equivalent combination of education and experience as indicated above.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:  Possession of a valid, unrestricted, appropriate level driver’s license, and acceptable driving record are required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

2/20; 2/21; 10/24

Competitive