PARALEGAL

Description

This position provides paralegal administrative and technical support to the attorneys and other staff in the office of the City Attorney. This work is performed in an environment protected by the attorney-client privilege and requires complete confidentiality. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed under general supervision.

The work is considered sedentary in nature and involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis, and routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: fingering, kneeling, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, and visual acuity.

Work environment involves exposure to no known environmental hazards; and is relatively safe, secure, and stable.

Essential Job Functions

• Drafts final preparation of pleadings and exhibits;
• Maintains litigation files of numerous and varied documents, including but not limited to litigation, workers’ compensation, municipal court, real estate, foreclosure, demolition and claims, to ensure accessibility of information at all times;
• Performs multi-task duties and meets deadlines in fast passed attorney-client confidential environment;
• Maintains attorneys calendars and meeting deadlines;
• Transcribes dictation and composes routine correspondence;
• Handles all calls and visitors at front desk during lunch hours, other breaks, and absence of receptionist;
• Makes copies and preparing mail to be sent;
• Handles filings of pleadings with the courts;
• Schedules depositions and notices;
• Notarizes legal documents;
• Prepares subpoenas;
• Coordinates with paralegals in other law offices to obtain documents from other departments;
• Conducts telephone interviews with witnesses;
• Organizes files to be closed;
• Learns new software and updates to the computer system;
• Attends meetings, training, conferences, seminars, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Performs other related duties as assigned;

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or GED;

• Four (4) years of relevant prior experience in legal field;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office;
• Required to type 30 corrected wpm.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages;
• Knowledge of personal computer equipment with skill in the use of Microsoft Office 2000 preferred, utilizing Outlook, word processing and spreadsheet software programs;
• Ability to manage, multi-task and prioritize work to insure deadlines are met in fast paced attorney-client confidential environment;

• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;
• Ability to provide guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner;
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.

The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.






































To learn more details, visit our benefits page at:
https://hr.columbiasc.gov/benefits/