What are the responsibilities and job description for the PARALEGAL position at Orange County Public Schools?
Salary Schedule
Under the supervision of an attorney, the purpose of this position is to provide legal assistance to the school district’s legal staff. The work of a paralegal includes a wide variety of administrative and legal tasks, which require the application of knowledge of laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures. This position requires confidentiality, discretion, critical thinking, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to research and work independently and meet deadlines, while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Examples Of Essential Functions
Responds to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous and empathetic manner representing OCPS in a positive light.
Prepares and finalizes drafts of documents including, but not limited to correspondence, pleadings, motions, other court related documents or filings, contracts, policies, resolutions or other school district documents as directed by the supervising attorney; performs other assigned secretarial duties.
Interviews staff and other witnesses, who may be affiliated with a particular case or matter in pending claims against the district; summarizes and reports findings to attorney.
Assists attorneys in all phases of legal research, background investigations and case management. Gathers and analyzes information; indexes various materials that have been compiled.
Assists the attorney in the review of miscellaneous legal documents to ascertain their accuracy and conformance to established policies and standards.
Works with the attorney in coordinating and overseeing document production associated with assigned cases.
Researches legal information in statutes, legal opinions, court rulings, pleadings, and official guidance via conventional and computer-based methods, independently or at the direction of an attorney.
Opens, organizes and/or maintains both physical case/matter files and those maintained via any electronic case management system(s).
Maintains attorney calendar and master docket calendar for legal deadlines; schedules all appointments, tracks work in progress, and monitors cases through final disposition.
Serves as an ambassador for OCPS and the Office of Legal Services in communications with parents and community members, representatives of other organizations and staff in response to claims, requests, complaints, and other matters of a legal/technical nature.
Prepares hearing notebooks and arranges for attendance of witnesses at hearings or internal investigations.
Coordinates the scheduling of administrative hearings for student disciplinary hearings, including preparatory witness meetings and evidence review.
Assists in providing technical support for various district departments and schools concerning legal issues such as custody issues.
Maintains confidentiality regarding schools and workplace matters.
Tracks new developments in the legal field; maintains familiarity with applicable laws, rules, policies and regulations.
Assists with preparation of school board legal agenda items for board meetings. Demonstrates initiative in the performance of assigned responsibilities.
Follows adopted policies and procedures in accordance with School Board priorities.
Conducts oneself in the best interest of students, in accordance with the highest traditions of public education and in support of the District’s Mission Statement.
Responsible for keeping up-to-date on current technology being used by OCPS. With the support of the district, attends training to ensure skill level in various technologies is at the level required to perform in current position.
Responsible for timely and accurate information they maintain as part of their job responsibilities.
These examples are intended only to be representative of the various types of work performed in a position allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
Marginal Functions
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Training And Experience
Associate’s degree from an accredited institution with course work emphasis in paralegal studies; and one (1) year of verifiable legal experience; or any equivalent combination of related education, training and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential job functions. Proficiency in all MS Office products such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Familiarity with case management software is strongly desired.
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES
Data Utilization Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data and/or information. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
Human Interaction Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.
Mathematical Aptitude Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may require ability to utilize principles of fractions and/or interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning Requires ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
Situational Reasoning Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
ADA COMPLIANCE
Physical Ability Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).
Sensory Requirements Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
Environmental Factors Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
The Orange County School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.
3/1/2021
Under the supervision of an attorney, the purpose of this position is to provide legal assistance to the school district’s legal staff. The work of a paralegal includes a wide variety of administrative and legal tasks, which require the application of knowledge of laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures. This position requires confidentiality, discretion, critical thinking, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to research and work independently and meet deadlines, while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Examples Of Essential Functions
Responds to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous and empathetic manner representing OCPS in a positive light.
Prepares and finalizes drafts of documents including, but not limited to correspondence, pleadings, motions, other court related documents or filings, contracts, policies, resolutions or other school district documents as directed by the supervising attorney; performs other assigned secretarial duties.
Interviews staff and other witnesses, who may be affiliated with a particular case or matter in pending claims against the district; summarizes and reports findings to attorney.
Assists attorneys in all phases of legal research, background investigations and case management. Gathers and analyzes information; indexes various materials that have been compiled.
Assists the attorney in the review of miscellaneous legal documents to ascertain their accuracy and conformance to established policies and standards.
Works with the attorney in coordinating and overseeing document production associated with assigned cases.
Researches legal information in statutes, legal opinions, court rulings, pleadings, and official guidance via conventional and computer-based methods, independently or at the direction of an attorney.
Opens, organizes and/or maintains both physical case/matter files and those maintained via any electronic case management system(s).
Maintains attorney calendar and master docket calendar for legal deadlines; schedules all appointments, tracks work in progress, and monitors cases through final disposition.
Serves as an ambassador for OCPS and the Office of Legal Services in communications with parents and community members, representatives of other organizations and staff in response to claims, requests, complaints, and other matters of a legal/technical nature.
Prepares hearing notebooks and arranges for attendance of witnesses at hearings or internal investigations.
Coordinates the scheduling of administrative hearings for student disciplinary hearings, including preparatory witness meetings and evidence review.
Assists in providing technical support for various district departments and schools concerning legal issues such as custody issues.
Maintains confidentiality regarding schools and workplace matters.
Tracks new developments in the legal field; maintains familiarity with applicable laws, rules, policies and regulations.
Assists with preparation of school board legal agenda items for board meetings. Demonstrates initiative in the performance of assigned responsibilities.
Follows adopted policies and procedures in accordance with School Board priorities.
Conducts oneself in the best interest of students, in accordance with the highest traditions of public education and in support of the District’s Mission Statement.
Responsible for keeping up-to-date on current technology being used by OCPS. With the support of the district, attends training to ensure skill level in various technologies is at the level required to perform in current position.
Responsible for timely and accurate information they maintain as part of their job responsibilities.
These examples are intended only to be representative of the various types of work performed in a position allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
Marginal Functions
While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Training And Experience
Associate’s degree from an accredited institution with course work emphasis in paralegal studies; and one (1) year of verifiable legal experience; or any equivalent combination of related education, training and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential job functions. Proficiency in all MS Office products such as Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Familiarity with case management software is strongly desired.
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES
Data Utilization Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data and/or information. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
Human Interaction Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.
Mathematical Aptitude Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may require ability to utilize principles of fractions and/or interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning Requires ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
Situational Reasoning Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
ADA COMPLIANCE
Physical Ability Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).
Sensory Requirements Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
Environmental Factors Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
The Orange County School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.
3/1/2021