Placer County

To perform legal research and writing; and to assist Child Support Services, County Counsel and District Attorney legal staff by performing paralegal duties.

Paralegal I
This is the entry level class in the Paralegal series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks.

Paralegal II
This is the full journey level class within the Paralegal series.  This class is distinguished from the Paralegal I by assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

Paralegal I
Receives general supervision from assigned professional legal staff.

Paralegal II
Receives direction from assigned professional legal staff.

May exercise technical supervision over clerical staff.

• Perform technical legal research and writing in support of an attorney or judge.
• Prepare a variety of legal forms and documents including subpoenas, writs, complaints, answers to cross complaints, interrogatories, as well as correspondence and reports.
• Draft complaints, affidavits, motions and other pleadings connected with trial preparation and discovery.
• Draft petitions, judgments, contracts, leases, briefs and other legal documentation.
• Organize litigation files, evidence and documents for effective analysis and presentation.
• Interview custodial or absent parents with regard to collection of child support.
• Interview consumer fraud clients to determine extent of complaint.
• Investigate, collect and compile a wide variety of materials, documents, reports and evidence.
• Confer with investigators regarding evidence and facts.
• Arrange for presence of witnesses for testimony and depositions and review and summarize witness statements.
• Respond to inquiries and provide information as appropriate to the public, other County divisions or departments, other public agencies, outside counsel and defendants regarding cases or legal matters handled by the work unit.
• May attend and take notes at hearings and may appear before Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
• May testify in court.
• May negotiate settlement of cases and correspond with affected parties, subject to approval.
• May train and provide technical supervision to clerical staff; may provide technical advice to various legal staff.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Paralegal I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: None Required.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of a certificated paralegal studies program.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a paralegal certificate issued by an accredited paralegal program or institution.

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Paralegal II

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible paralegal experience.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of a certificated paralegal studies program.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a paralegal certificate issued by an accredited paralegal program or institution.
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  

Paralegal I

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of legal research, discovery and fact investigation.
• Principles of legal writing.
• Legal principles and practices.
• Legal terminology.
• Ethics of law practice.
• Basic civil and criminal law and legal processes.
• Governmental process, in particular the judicial branch, court systems and administrative process.
• Available legal resource materials.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time;  intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel or twist when retrieving or returning files and documents; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and occasionally lift light weight.
• Prepare effective basic legal papers.
• Perform legal basic issue identification.
• Perform legal research and writing; identify legal issues for further study.
• Prepare and organize evidence and litigation files.
• Learn to negotiate settlements as directed.
• Learn to analyze and interpret applicable codes, laws, ordinances and statutes.
• Learn to apply the practices and procedures of the work unit to which assigned.
• Learn to obtain information through interviews; deal fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple cases and assignments; and work effectively with interruption.
• Learn investigative interviewing techniques.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine and photocopy machine.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Paralegal II

In addition to the qualifications for the Paralegal I:

Knowledge of:

• Investigative interviewing techniques.
• Civil and criminal law and legal processes.
• Judicial structure.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time;  intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel or twist when retrieving or returning files and documents; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and occasionally lift light weight.
• Prepare effective legal papers.
• Perform legal issue identification.
• Perform more complex legal research and writing; identify more complex legal issues for further study.
• Negotiate settlements as directed.
• Analyze and interpret applicable codes, laws, ordinances and statutes.
• Apply the practices and procedures of the work unit to which assigned.
• Obtain information through interviews; deal fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple cases and assignments; and work effectively with interruption.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.