Paralegal- License Commission And Public Records

Position Purpose/Summary

Responsible for administrative and technical work in the area of legal research and administrative support for the Law Department, with work involving the License Commission and Public Record requests. No supervision is exercised over other employees.

Essential Functions

• Handles paralegal duties in the License Commission related to drafting, copying, filing, and the mailing of all annual licenses (including, Liquor, Auto, Taxi/Livery, Common Victualler, and Entertainment) issued by the Commission.

• At the direction of the City Solicitor or his designee, responsible for the timely posting of all City Boards and Commissions agendas, meeting notices and meeting minutes as required by Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. This includes use of the City's Accela software program and database as well as the delivery of the postings to the proper posting authorities in the City Clerk or other posting locations.

• Prepares and sends out all the applications for the license commission related to liquor, auto, taxicabs/liveries, common victualler, and entertainment licenses as required and provides assistance to the public during hours when the license commission is open.

• Handles all phone calls coming into the license commission and meets Law Department/License Commission customers as necessary.

• Assists with preparation for meetings and hearings conducted in conformance with the Open Meeting Law and other applicable laws and regulations.

• Provides paralegal assistance to the Director of Licensing.

• Maintains Licensee Database-including updates and modifications and utilizes the Law Department's Time Matters case management to enter data related to case file/license.

• Responsible for the recordation of payments in MUNIS and maintenance of license accounts in MUNIS.

• Responsible for opening and closing case files for public records requests consistent with department procedures.

• Maintains public records requests, database and filing system, and status log in compliance with state laws and regulations.

• Assists the Public Records Coordinator with disseminating record requests to appropriate city departments and follow-up via email or telephone as appropriate.

• Assists the City Clerk and Public Records Coordinator with the City's response to public records requests by drafting correspondence, redacting, copying, scanning and producing responsive documents in a timely fashion and in compliance with state laws and regulations.

• Any additional tasks requested by the City Solicitor or his designee.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the Massachusetts legal process and City's General Ordinances.

• Working knowledge of federal and Massachusetts general laws, rules of civil procedure, rules of court and rules of appellate procedure.

• Working knowledge of public records exemptions and their application to routine requests

• Working knowledge of the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research and investigation.

• Ability to analyze and assist in the preparation of legal documents and instruments.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, municipal officials, and the general public.

• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

• Ability to provide superior customer service

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required.

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, or experience in providing complex paralegal support.