County of Alameda

Under the general direction and supervision of an attorney, performs a variety of specialized paralegal functions including some combination of the following: drafts legal documents; conducts legal research and prepares written memoranda; prepares documents for use in pretrial and trial proceedings; creates and maintains legal files, trial notebooks, and indices; supervises case and file management systems; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions in this classification are located in the Office of the County Counsel and in the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS).  The position requires the incumbent to perform at the journey level with a high degree of independence and discretion and where complex technical legal knowledge is applied.  The position requires the incumbent to work with sensitive and confidential materials.  A Civil Paralegal differs from the Deputy County Counsel and Child Support Attorney classifications in that the latter classifications are licensed by the State of California to practice law within this state, sign legal documents, and appear before the Courts.

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Under the direct supervision of an attorney, drafts and reviews complaints, answers, case management statements, interrogatories, answers to interrogatories, declarations, points and authorities, briefs, and other pleadings related to legal processes.
2. Under the direct supervision of an attorney, conducts legal research and prepares written memoranda, summarizes records, depositions, and other legal documents.
3. Assists attorneys with trial preparation including, but not limited to, drafting jury instructions, witness and exhibit lists, expert witness disclosure demands and responses, prepare subpoenas, conduct privilege reviews, and assist at depositions and document reviews.
4. Creates and maintains documents related to cases and other legal matters, trial notebooks, indices and files.  Supervises and maintains case and file management systems.
5. Assists attorneys during legal proceedings and drafts court orders and other documents related to legal proceedings.
6. Attends administrative hearings as permitted by statute, court rule, administrative rule, or regulation.
7. Interviews and communicates with various parties, witnesses, opposing counsel or others to obtain information; and under the direct supervision of an attorney, negotiates matters to obtain stipulated agreements.

EITHER I

Education:  

Certification of completion from an American Bar Association certified paralegal program.

AND

Experience:  

The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time progressively responsible experience in a position where the work is of a paralegal nature in a legal setting.

OR II

Education:  

Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school.

AND

Experience:  

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time progressively responsible experience as a paralegal, law clerk or attorney in a legal setting.

OR III

Experience:

The equivalent of four (4) years of full-time progressively responsible experience as a paralegal, law clerk or attorney in a legal setting.

License:  

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License may be required.  

Special Requirements for positions located in the DCSS:

• A thorough pre-employment background investigation, including fingerprinting, will be conducted of all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment to ensure suitability for child support related work.

 
NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of legal research, legal source materials, discovery and fact investigation.
• California Code of Civil Procedure.
• Court regulations, procedures, and legal processes.
• Principles of legal writing.
• Legal terminology.
• Effective interviewing techniques.
• Methods and techniques for pretrial and trial preparation.
• Document preparation techniques.

Positions at the DCSS:

• Knowledge of California Family Code.
• Understand and analyze financial information pertinent to the calculation of child support and perform accurate mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• Comprehend, digest and summarize complex legal documents.
• Identify and analyze legal issues.
• Interpret and apply relevant legal codes, statutory procedures and requirements.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in both written and oral form.
• Create and maintain file and case management systems.
• Use computers and related software applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Lexis Advance, or other legal software.

BG:pf 1/12/01

Newspecs:1583.doc

Csc date:   2/14/01

SK:sa Revised 08/03/2020

CSC Date: 08/12/2020

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.