Paralegal I/II-Confidential

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE COUNTY COUNSEL’S OFFICE

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED WEEKLY UNTIL POSITION IS FILLED

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING 

POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE 

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: CONTINUOUS

SALARY INFORMATION

Paralegal I-Confidential: $4,225 – $5,392 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $24.37 - $31.11 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Paralegal II-Confidential: $4,680 - $5,973 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $27.00 - $34.46 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous. and refer to the Shasta County Personnel Rules and the Confidential Cost of Living Increases for future salary increases.

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The County Counsel provides most of the civil legal services required by the County. The County Counsel represents the County and its officers and employees in civil actions. The office drafts or reviews for legal sufficiency all proposed legislation, contracts, leases, deeds, ordinances, and resolutions. Statutory interpretation and the issuance of legal opinions in response to requests from County officials comprise another major area of responsibility. The County Counsel also identifies and explains legal trends to assist in program planning.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under close supervision of attorney staff, provides paraprofessional legal support work including legal research and legal document preparation requiring knowledge of legal theory and procedures and to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Paralegal I-Confidential-This paraprofessional classification performs a variety of legal tasks under the supervision of attorney staff. Incumbents will generally receive assignments involving the preparation and analysis of legal documents, routine legal research and application of technical knowledge involving legal theory and procedures. Incumbents may also train clerical staff. Paralegal I is the entry-level paraprofessional classification in the Paralegal series. Initially under immediate supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine paralegal duties. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. This is a Confidential classification. Confidential in this context according to the Personnel Rules means "a non-management employee who, in the course of his or her duties, is regularly privy to management planning or decision making regarding the County's administration of employer-employee relations as determined by the Board of Supervisors."

Paralegal II-Confidential-This paraprofessional classification performs a variety of legal tasks under the supervision of attorney staff. Incumbents will generally receive assignments involving the preparation and analysis of legal documents, routine legal research and application of technical knowledge involving legal theory and procedures. Incumbents may also train clerical staff. Paralegal II is the fully qualified journey-level paraprofessional classification in the Paralegal series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This is a Confidential classification. Confidential in this context according to the Personnel Rules means "a non-management employee who, in the course of his or her duties, is regularly privy to management planning or decision making regarding the County's administration of employer-employee relations as determined by the Board of Supervisors."

QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Knowledge of: Procedures involved in finding relevant material in standard legal reference books; methods and techniques of legal research, discovery and fact investigation; civil procedure; principles of legal writing legal concepts, terminology, phraseology, forms, documents, principles, procedures and practices; federal, state, and local court processes and procedures; general operation of the court system; computer equipment and applications utilized by the department; office methods and practices, procedures, supplies and equipment; proper English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation; business correspondence and report writing; basic principles and techniques of training and supervision.

Ability to: Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information; understand and carry out complex oral and written directions; independently gather information and prepare reports and correspondence; research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal issues; organize large amounts of data, facts and research; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; read and understand federal and state court decisions, statutes, regulations and legal documents; draft legal documents and pleadings; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; interpret and apply laws, rules and written and oral directions to specific situations requiring the use of independent judgment and minimal supervision; use sound judgment within the scope and limit of authority delegated; manage assigned workload; operate personal computers and utilize computer applications used by the department; establish and maintain cooperative work relationships; follow workplace safety policies and procedures. Work primarily in an office environment including sitting at a desk working with computer equipment, on the phone and in meetings for prolonged periods; regularly working with files and with general office equipment; travel to and take notes in court.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Paralegal I-Confidential: Two (2) years of secretarial or clerical office support experience preparing a variety of legal documents in a public or private law office. 

Paralegal II-Confidential: Two (2) years of paralegal experience comparable to a Paralegal I– Confidential with Shasta County.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A paralegal shall possess at least one (1) of the following, as required by Business & Professions Code, section 6450:

(1) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.

(2) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.

(3) A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.

(4) A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003.

Additionally, incumbents in this class are required to fulfill the mandatory continuing education requirements as defined by the California Business and Professions Code, section 6450 (d).

To see the full job bulletin and apply online, please visit: www.ShastaCountyCareers.com.