What are the responsibilities and job description for the LEGAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR ( PARALEGAL ) position at Town of Chapel Hill?
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described here.Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned that are not specifically spelled out in this job description, but which may be reasonably considered to require similar knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Performs paralegal and paraprofessional duties in support of the Town’s staff attorneys and other Town departments in support of Town initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational, interpersonal, communicating and writing skills; a team-oriented mindset; and a strong work ethic.
What you can expect to be doing :
- Coordinates and performs a variety of professional paralegal duties.
- Researches and analyzes a variety of legal resources such as statutes, ordinances, court decisions, legal documents and articles to support attorneys in preparing legal documents, opinions, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, briefs, pleadings and other documents.
- Drafts routine legal documents under direct attorney supervision.
- Provides guidance to staff in other departments on routine legal documents and contracts.
- Assists in preparing documents such as council agenda items, draft ordinances, resolutions, policies, and reports as required.
- Monitors the status of matters involving the Attorney’s Office, such as litigation and requests for legal review and consultations; coordinates regular legal team meetings to review pending matters and identify action items.
- Establishes, maintains and updates matter files and litigation case files.
- Examines contracts and other legal documents for completeness and potential legal issues; provides attorney-vetted guidance to staff in other departments.
- Serves on a review team that verifies final versions of contracts and agreements are ready for execution.
- Reviews surety bonds to verify proper form prior to final examination by an attorney.
- Provides litigation support, which may include preparing, filing and serving court documents, tracking litigation timelines, and assisting with case preparation by compiling and assembling files and required materials.
- Collaborates with other departments on process improvements and implementation.
- May act in a lead capacity on special projects and assignments involving collaboration with other departments.
- Assists in developing the Attorney Office’s annual budget request and manages the Attorney’s Office budget.
- Serves as the technology contact for the Attorney's Office; coordinates implementation of new and evolving technology-based procedures and workflows.
- Handles administrative functions for the Attorney's Office, including payroll matters, invoice processing, expense and purchasing card reconciliation, and purchasing functions.
- Assists in preparing Attorney's Office procedures in collaboration with the attorneys.
- Provides guidance to staff on Town procedures, including contracts and property conveyances.
- Completes other duties as required.
Do you supervise or not?
This position has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.
What are the physical demands?
The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table, with intermittent standing or stooping. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
Where and how do you work?
The work is typically performed in an office.
What do you need to know to do this job effectively?
Knowledge of:
- Computer applications such as document management, case management, calendaring and word processing
- Principles of business communication and report preparation
- Legal terminology and forms and documents used in the field
- Legal office methods, procedures, terminology and documents
- Related federal, state and municipal laws codes and regulations
- Town ordinances policies and procedures
- Legal research procedures and forms
- Court rules and procedures
- Standard legal reference resources and their contents
- Basic public entity law resources
- Principles and methodologies for filing systems and case management
Ability to:
- Prepare and draft contracts and agreements using templates
- Understand, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as pertinent laws, regulations, and ordinances
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals
- Review and analyze complex documents
- Locate various legal references including statutes, codes, regulations, and citations
- Effectively research and extract pertinent data from a variety of sources in the preparation of legal cases and documents
- Independently prepare correspondence and memoranda
- Organize and prioritize workflow; work independently in the absence of supervision; exercise good judgment and make sound decisions; maintain confidentiality; exercise judgment regarding activities requiring oversight by and input from supervising attorneys
- Examine real property titles
- Use web- and enterprise-based software systems
- Use Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or similar tools
- Solve problems and make sound decisions
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and co-workers
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Model behavior that is consistent with the Town’s values of RESPECT: Responsibility, Equity, Safety, Professionalism, Ethics, Communication, and Teamwork
What is education and/or experience do you need to be considered for this job?
Education
An associate’s degree or higher in a related field required.
Experience
Experience as a paralegal, legal assistant with progressive responsibilities, or procurement and contract administration is preferred.
What are the safety considerations for this job?
- Valid NC driver’s license and reliable transportation.
- Employees will be subject to the Drug and Alcohol free Workplace Policy.
- Employees will be subject to the Safe Driving and Accident Policy.
Salary : $78,187 - $102,536