Paralegal-Visalia

Under general supervision, this technical level position assists attorneys and judges in research, analysis, and other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• An attorney, commissioner or judge provides supervision; administrative direction can be provided by a Court Manager I, or higher-level manager. (Essential duties may vary from position to position within this classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the Court to be appropriate under applicable law.)

1. Provide education materials to parents concerning the process of establishing paternity and establishing modifying and enforcing child and spousal support in the courts

2. Provide assistance to judges, attorneys and general public in completing forms and other documents

3. Review documents for compliance with statutes, court decisions and other legal authorities

4. Assist attorneys in legal research utilizing a computer and gathering information from the internet, legal research software, legal books and publications

5. Attend staff and other work-related meetings, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education opportunities

6. Distribute necessary court forms and voluntary declarations of paternity

7. Review files to ensure that documentation is procedurally correct and in compliance with appropriate laws and local rules and note deficiencies

8. Prepare accurate summary documentation, sets forth facts of each matter before court, summarizes the legal factors and any issues and makes recommendations for action

9. Monitor changes to civil law; recommends policy and procedural changes required for compliance, and institutes such modifications after approval

10. Prepare child support schedules based upon statutory guidelines

11. Meet with litigants to mediate issues of child support, spousal support, and maintenance of health insurance

12. Draft stipulations to include all issues agreed to by the parties

13. Prepare formal orders consistent with the court’s announced order in cases where both parties are unrepresented

14. Maintain effective working relationships with Judicial Officers, court staff, staff from other courts and the District Attorney

15. Prepare child support calculations

16. Assist with case file and management; prepare judgment

17. Provide referral to the District Attorney, Family Court Services, and other community resources that provide services for parents and children

18. Maintain a cooperative relationship and effective referral base with legal and domestic violence resources

19. Mediate issues of child support with parties to case to reach resolution as possible; work with TCDCSS to resolve child support issues and avoid court hearings

20. Serve as a representative of the Court, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Court community and with the public.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

1. Perform related duties as assigned.Knowledge of

• Legal procedures
• Legal research, techniques and methods.
• Drafting legal documents, and opinion writing.
• Filing procedures and legal terminology.
• Court policies.
• Legal ethics related to civil or criminal procedures.

Skill/Ability to

• Demonstrate effective grammar/writing skills: proofread for correct grammar, citations, codes, etc.
• Analyze legal documents accurately.
• Correctly summarize the law in any given area by written memoranda.
• Understand and apply legal principles and precedents.
• Research legal references.
• Present verbal statements of fact and law.
• Perform computerized legal research.
• Establish effective working relations with attorneys, officials, clients, co-workers, and he general public.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Operate a personal computer and related software with efficiency.
• Have excellent phone skills and a clear and concise manner of speaking.
• Keyboard ability at a minimum of 50 words per minute.
• Learn and apply the practices and procedures of the work unit to which assigned.
• Punctually arrive at workstation
• Work independently to prioritize work and meet departmental deadlines

Education and Experience

• Education: Minimum requirement: completion of an approved legal paraprofessional training program, with possession of a paralegal certificate.
• Experience: Three years experience researching and drafting a variety of legal documents, preferably supplemented by course work in legal office practices and business law; preferably including one year of journey level paralegal experience.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of

• Civil litigation procedures.
• Bail Bond law.
• Meyers-Milias-Brown Act.
• Public employee discipline process.
• Administrative law.
• Family law.
• Child welfare law.
• Public nuisance enforcement actions.
• Civil rights.
• Probate law.
• Criminal law.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

• Possession of paralegal certificate.WORKING CONDITIONS The demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or are encountered by an employee while successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regularly Required

• Sit at a desk and/or in front of a computer terminal
• Twist and bend neck
• Repetitive hand movement while performing computer data entry as well as writing
• Stand
• Travel to various court divisions
• Bend at waist in retrieving materials
• Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 10 lbs.
• Reach above and/or below shoulder height
• Tolerate mild exposure to dust
• Potential exposure to individuals with illnesses.

Frequently Required

• Push and/or pull drawers of desk and/or file cabinets
• Crouch, stoop, and kneel while retrieving materials from shelves and cabinets
• Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Drive to and from various court locations in own vehicle

Occasionally Required

• Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 50 lbs