PARALEGAL

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Paralegal performs a variety of administrative duties and research pertaining to litigation and other substantive legal matters, including document preparation and review, interviews clients and witnesses and prepares for trial. 

Currently there are Paralegal vacancies in the Office of the City Attorney and the Worker’s Compensation section of the Department of Employee Relations.  Based upon placement, Paralegals may perform some or all the duties listed below.

Hearings, Case Files and/ or Claim Files

• Analyze case files and conduct related legal research, monitor legislative and administrative meetings and deliberations and prepare summaries and reports.
• Summarize legal issues, defenses and/or claim files; investigate, collect and organize facts in connection with hearing preparation and litigation.
• Draft filings; research and analyze relevant court decisions, legislative documents and public records.
• Prepare drafts of affidavits, pleadings, motions and related correspondence and memoranda.
• Prepare confidential materials, proposals, reports and contact information.
• Respond to inquiries for records and issue invoices for records provided to third parties; download records from the electronic medical portal onto Evault, maintain filing systems both electronically and physically and assist with record retention schedules while ensuring confidentiality of all materials.
• Serve as the docket clerk for all litigation; maintain spreadsheets relative to litigation activity.

Record, Reports and Materials

• Maintain and develop annual reports for the Comptroller, Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Budget Office, Common Council and leadership, including running and designing reports, conducting research and collecting data.
• Assist in developing training materials; maintain an index of office protocols.
• Acquire medical records and investigative materials; address outstanding bills for litigation files and prepare medical summaries. 

Customer Service, Process Tracking and Administrative Duties

• Resolve inquiries and complaints by investigating the merits and prepare, collect and analyze data.
• Manage the subrogation process and provide timely responses to the third-party administrator, third party carriers and attorneys, enabling the City to recover costs; manage uninsured motorist claim inquiries by the contracted attorney.
• Respond to and track Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) inquiries for Medicare reimbursement for claims in which there may be liability under Worker’s Compensation; approve or deny requests for reimbursement after a file audit and process payment approval or denial.
• Perform general administrative functions including sorting and distributing incoming and outgoing mail, developing and documenting office procedures and protocols, staffing the Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) call line, purchasing office items and scheduling meetings.

• Please be advised that new employees are required to have received either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to their employment start date or have an approved religious or medical accommodation prior to their employment start date.  You can find further information relative to the City’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy here.

1. Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, political science, business administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Two years of administrative support experience as a paralegal or research assistant performing duties closely related to this position.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Paralegal certification from an accredited program.

Technical

• Knowledge of basic legal principles, legal research methodology and principals of legal analysis.
• Knowledge of and the ability to apply the laws, rules and regulations relative to worker’s compensation, including State Statute Chapter 102.
• Ability to read and interpret policies, procedures, regulations and other compliance-related documents and laws.
• Ability to access information sources such as statutes, ordinances, decisions, legal articles and documents.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize related computer software programs, including the Microsoft Office Suite and data backup systems such as Evault.
• Ability to engage in electronic discovery.
• Ability to conduct legal research using all available resources.

Communication, Interpersonal and Customer Service

• Ability to prepare accurate and effective written communications, including reports, documents and correspondence.
• Ability to verbally communicate complex legal issues and decisions.
• Ability to provide services in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, collaborative and team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work cooperatively with coworkers and citizens whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to work with others in a diplomatic and professional manner.

Judgement and Problem-Solving

• Attention to detail.
• Ability to function independently.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to analyze and organize data and files.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure calmly and effectively.
• Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and meet multiple deadlines and adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect information in compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Ability to plan and prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines and adjust priorities as necessary.

The current starting salary (Pay Range 5JN) is $48,037 annually, and the resident incentive starting salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $49,478 annually. Appointment will be made in accordance with the provisions of the salary ordinance.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after the application deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO Code= 501

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.