Paralegal I - Civil Division - County Attorney

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Prepares letters and legal documents, organizes and controls legal and administrative files, set hearings on court calendar, performs legal research and other clerical and administrative duties for efficient operation of the department.

Essential Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

Perform word processing duties to include correct language, formatting, etc. of documents. Types legal documents including standard and complex motions, orders, affidavits, petitions, complaints, and types letters, memos, charts, reports or other correspondence. May take and transcribe dictation, and accurately transcribes dictation or handwritten copy into prepared documents which conform to appropriate legal or business standards; returns draft or final documents within time frame requested or, if unable to do so, advises requestor in a proper and timely manner. For all documents drafted, will proofread each document produced for errors in format, style, and/or typographical errors and make corrections as necessary.

Knowledge of legal terminology and formatting of legal documents is required.

• In general- Compose and draft standardized and non-standardized legal documents, forms, and correspondence upon request of supervisor; carefully review files for necessary dates and other information; independently prepare draft pleadings and\or correspondence from scratch, including complex pleadings which require additional research and\or verification of legal statutes and case law; understanding of legal citation with the ability to utilize legal research material and provide statutes and case law; note questions on draft if uncertain regarding any aspect of content; return to supervisor for review.
• CORA Requests

• When requested by supervisor, assist Attorney in gathering information and preparing responses to CORA requests.

• Board of Assessment Appeals

• When requested by supervisor, draft Rule 11 pleadings and gather information from Appraiser with the Assessor's Office. May be requested to draft motions to attend by video and other motions/responses.

• Unemployment/EEOC/CCRD Cases

• When requested by supervisor, draft settlement statement, exhibit list, response to request for information.

• Subpoena Duces Tecum

• When requested by supervisor, draft Motions to Quash SDTs that are received by MCDHS and other departments. Review provided documents to determine what may be released without court order. Provide the Court with whatever is necessary for an in-camera review. Copy and provide whatever documents the Court determines should be released.

• Specific to MH Caseload

• When Covering

• Ensure that all responsibilities concerning the case status of the mental health caseload are completed from initial contact through hearing. Ensure the proper filing of documents with the courts; utilize standard naming system for all computer documents in order to allow easy retrieval by other staff members; file paperwork in appropriate folders. Organize, create and maintain legal files and filing system. Communicate with attorneys and other parties to proceeding regarding status of cases and procedures of the court via telephone, written correspondence, and personal contact.

• JD Filings

• Ensure filings in the JD caseload are done in a timely fashion. Work with court clerks to ensure filings are accepted.

Familiar with legal research tools. Proficient in using computerized legal research to effectively pull statutes and case law, check status of a case, and to locate and print information as requested (i.e. status of a Bill, status of a case, etc.). Utilize Clerk and Recorder and Assessor's websites to access documents at supervisor's request. Use SIRE to find documents at supervisor's request. Utilize the Secretary of State's website to determine if a business is in good standing etc. supervisor's request. Utilize the Colorado General Assembly, Colorado Judicial Branch, Colorado State Court Data Access and other websites.

Familiar with Colorado Courts E-filing, PACER, and other on-line filing programs. Maintain tickler system to prepare for and meet deadlines. Review cases to ascertain accurate records of the status of each case in preparing legal documents. Independently set court hearings with Court and other affected parties; carefully communicate dates of hearings to supervisor, appropriate attorneys, and others through computer calendars; coordinate conference calls for setting hearings involving multiple parties. Coordinate with Court Clerks and staff as appropriate; independently resolve questions or issues whenever possible; consult with supervisor or attorney for resolution of complex or unusual matters.

When necessary, scan pleadings and other documents into document management system for easy access by attorneys for e-mailing and reviewing documents.

Greet public in a professional manner; interact courteously with the public, court personnel and other members of the legal community, county departments and elected officials; listens to requests; act independently or consult with other staff to handle problems or questions. Maintain friendly, open communication with attorneys, supervisor and support staff; accept and follows directions of supervisor and attorneys.

Demonstrate ability to work with County staff at all levels and to respond in a professional, competent and timely manner to job assignments as requested and as assigned by supervisor. Maintain effective contact with County staff on an ongoing basis.

Check each certificate of delivery for appropriate parties and type of service needed, retains file copy with distribution noted.

Calculate deadlines pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure for responses to motions and as specific Rules require for each case. Also calculate deadlines associated with administrative hearings.

Ensure the proper filing of documents with the courts; utilize standard naming system for all computer documents in order to allow easy retrieval by other staff members; file paperwork in appropriate folders.

Maintain County filing by indexing and updating files. Open files when necessary, and enter information into Access. Scan and close/destroy files as requested.

Ability to learn and utilize case management software and enters data on a daily basis to update case files. Maintains office databases and generates reports as requested.

Evaluates workload and establishes priorities as necessary. Prepare documents in accordance with any time requirements set by attorneys or supervisor.

Determines required method of delivery for outgoing mail; separates hand delivered mail from U.S. mail; types envelopes to post office requirements; prepares certified receipts, if required; have mail ready for pickup and hand delivery in time for court run and/or mail run.

Handles scheduling of appointments as requested by attorney or supervisor

Will provide backup to the Human Services staff as requested by supervisor.

Will provide backup in all aspects of Mental Health Caseload when requested.

Familiar with and proficient on County phone system; acts as backup for receptionist/runner position; courteously and professionally speaks with callers; answers incoming calls on first or second ring whenever possible; screens and directs calls to proper party; takes complete and accurate messages, including return telephone numbers, transmitting them to appropriate party via e-mail message. Initiates, manages and routes conference calls as requested.

Receive, open, log, and distribute incoming correspondence when requested by supervisor. Calendar deadlines as requested by supervisor. Process accounts payable and follow up on payments made. Make travel arrangements as requested. Perform any other work necessary for the efficient operation of the County Attorney's Office as requested by supervisor.

Communicate with supervisor on a regular basis as to the progress of assigned projects and court proceedings. Keep the supervisor advised of any matters being worked on which have come in through other channels and/or which have not been directly assigned by supervisor.

Be present in the office, or at specific other locations as required by the schedule, during normal working hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to provide support to County staff as required and as assigned.

Oral and written communications must be clear and effective.

Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

Paralegal certification program and two (2) years experience in legal work.

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Certificate of completion from ABA approved paralegal program preferred

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 25 pounds.

Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:

• A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment.

• A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance.

• Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question.

This position is eligible for the following Mesa County benefits;

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Retirement

• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave

• Life insurance

• Long term disability