Paralegal

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage. Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

Classification Title

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Paralegal

Salary

$50,007.10 - $64,680.01

Department

Public Defenders Office

Opening Date

06/02/2026

Closing Date

06/16/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt - Overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement or Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy

Employment Relationship: Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is 8:00am.

General Summary

Under direction, performs legal research, investigates facts, prepares documents, manages files, and supports trial and case management activities.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Investigates facts and law in assigned cases, identifies issues, summarizes findings, summarizes documents, and prepares memos.

Obtains, downloads, organizes, indexes, summarizes, and archives discovery in case files.

Researches and analyzes legal issues using computer resources and other methods of legal research.

Prepares, serves, and files documents such as witness lists, discovery demands, sentencing memos, jury instructions, affidavits, motions, briefs, memos, and other documents.

Files pleadings and other documents, using e-filing methods.

Maintains criminal defense files by organizing, maintaining, and archiving of file materials.

Assist attorneys with trial activities by preparing PowerPoint presentations, assisting with courtroom IT needs, contacting experts/investigators, preparing exhibits, requesting/summarizing transcripts, and ensuring presence of and coordinating presentation of witnesses.

Prepares and directs delivery of subpoenas to witnesses.

Maintain attorney schedules and track attorney time spent on file activities.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Paralegal Studies, Legal Assistant Studies, or related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience as a Paralegal, Legal Assistant, or legal field.
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Prior experience with indigent criminal defense system or working for a criminal defense attorney/firm.
  
  

Required Licenses Or Certifications

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel
  
  

Preferred Licenses Or Certifications

• Certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants or similar association.
  
  

Knowledge Of

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

• Legal terminology, and criminal procedures
• Online research including Westlaw, Lexis, or equivalent on-line legal research programs
• Court policies, procedures, and filing requirements. Includes familiarity with electronic document filing in District Courts, Circuit Court, and Court of Appeals
• Modern office equipment and technology including Microsoft Office products
  
  

Skill In

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with elected officials, Administrators, Department Heads, staff, union officials and the public
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Organization and time management
  
  

Ability To

• Computer resources for conducting background checks, social media searches, and obtaining other information about clients and witnesses
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Work independently
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: N/S

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: O

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: N/S

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85 decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): N/S

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O

Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move Objects From One Level/position To Another

Up to 35 pounds: O

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: O

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): O

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

General Requirements And Disclaimers

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

The Technical, Professional and Officeworkers Association of Michigan (TPOAM) bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.

GRANT OR EXTERNALLY FUNDED POSITION –This position will continue only if sufficient grant or external funds are provided.