Paralegal I-District Attorney-26394207DA

The Office of the District Attorney is currently accepting applications for the position of

Paralegal I

** June 2027 – 7.32% increase to base pay (3.0% Across-the- Board 2.13% Market Adjustment 2.19% Internal Alignment Increase)

This is a series recruitment that will suspend on Friday, August 21, 2026.

The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate’s qualifications at time of appointment. 

This is an excellent opportunity that will provide you the opportunity to learn the technical concepts of the operation of a legal office and work alongside skilled attorneys.
 
 The selected candidate must function effectively in a fast-paced legal office, work under a high degree of autonomy and independence, and demonstrate the ability to be a quick learner to eventually become a generalist in performing a wide variety of duties.  While working under the supervision of an attorney, you will be responsible for assisting in preparing cases for court hearings and trials.

This is an in-office position with the potential to telework up to two days per pay period after successful completion of the 12-month probationary period.

For more information on this job description, please visit the Paralegal I job classification page.

Hiring Timeline & Dates

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below. 

• Job Offer and Background Process begins shortly after the interviews conclude.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date 

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Completion of an American Bar Association approved paralegal program; OR successful completion of the *Certified Paralegal (CP) examination of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.; OR
2. An associate's degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in paralegal studies (J.D. degree qualifies). 

Note: Legal secretarial, clerical, or investigative experience is not qualifying.
           *Certified Paralegal Certification (CP) formerly called Certified Legal Assistant (CLA).

 Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments.  This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age, and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
 

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview.  Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
  
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.

Condition of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.  
 

Evaluation
Qualified applicants will be placed on a nine (9) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental applications. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
 
 
Note: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.

Veteran’s Preference Policy

The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information. 

Military Skills Translator

Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool. 

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.

Salary : $59,696 - $82,846