Paralegal I/Ii

Salary : $46,860.00 - $66,264.00 Annually
Location : 96001, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 1255-6_DA_121523
Department: District Attorney's Office
Opening Date: 12/15/2023
Closing Date: 1/5/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 2024
SEE "SPECIAL REQUIREMENT" SECTION REGARDING
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE, SECTION 6450
RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED
FINAL FILING DATE: JANUARY 05, 2024 AT 5:00 PM
SALARY INFORMATION
PARALEGAL I: $3,905 - $4,984 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $22.53 - $28.75 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
PARALEGAL II: $4,327 - $5,522 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $24.96 - $31.86 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit
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 District Attorney evaluates all reported crimes to determine if sufficient evidence exists to prosecute individuals for felony and misdemeanor offenses. In those cases where the District Attorney finds sufficient evidence, a criminal prosecution is undertaken. The Department also supervises the Victim/Witness Program.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Paralegal I: 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.
Paralegal II: Under general 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
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 decreases 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.
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.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Performs paralegal services for attorney staff; researches legal issues and reviews statutes and other municipal codes/ordinances, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and other documents; drafts routine pleadings, briefs, appeals and other litigation related documents including, but not limited to, petitions, complaints, answers, and declarations; reviews and summarizes deposition and hearing transcripts; assists staff in tracking existing and proposed legislation; provides legislative history and status reports; contacts attorneys and others to coordinate calendars, meetings and the conduct of legal business; organizes and maintains litigation and non-litigation files and materials; organizes document control in situations involving voluminous documents; may appear in court in a support capacity for attorneys; performs related duties as assigned.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
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.
Paralegal I: These employment standards are typically attained with a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a paralegal in a law office.
Paralegal II: These employment standards are typically attained with a minimum of three (3) years of experience as a paralegal in a law office.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of an appropriate California driver license may be required for some positions.

• A paralegal shall possess at least one 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).

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. How much experience do you possess as a paralegal in a law office:
   • Less than two (2) years
   • Between two (2) and three (3) years
   • More than three (3) years

2. Please select all of the following that you possess:

• A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• None of the above

3. This position is in an Office that works closely with victims of crime. Do you understand that some tasks required in this role may involve reading police reports, hearing stories about victimization, exposure to graphic materials and speaking with victims on the phone or in person? Yes/No
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing.

• Shasta County participates in E-Verify. For more information visit If you do not have internet access, contact Personnel at (530) 225-5515 to request a flyer.

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County emplo...