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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParalegalJob Title: Department: Division: Reports To: FLSA Exempt (Y/N): Union: BBP: Salary Level: Location: Approved By: Approved Date: SUMMARY JEFFERSON COUNTY Job Description Paralegal Prosecuting Attorney Civil or Criminal Prosecuting Attorney No UFC W No Grade 29 Courthouse Human Resources Manager July 2020 Performs highly skilled, confidential, and complex legal, analytical, and independent paralegal and administration functions. Provides advanced and routine litigation support to the attorneys. Conducts legal research, draft, prepares, and files legal documents. Coordinates calendars, prepares for trials and hearings, including complex litigation. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Under the general supervision of an attorney, manages an assigned caseload requiring independent assessment and judgment in determining appropriate action to take in individual cases; drafts court and discovery documents; monitors and reviews individual cases; determines and is accountable for decision regarding the processes of each case assigned; responsible for meeting multiple legal requirements of each case such as federal and state mandated deadlines and statutorily defined processes; conducts interviews with parties and witnesses. Analyzes all pertinent elements of a case and is responsible for many aspects of preparation for arbitration/mediation/trial; researches, recommends and schedules professional or independent witnesses or services necessary for the progression of the case including initiating and responding to contacts with other agencies, witnesses, courts, boards and commissions; prepares visual aids and graphic exhibits; assists attorneys at hearings or trial; monitors payment for expert witness services and other litigation expenses. Locates, reviews and organizes documents for production; drafts discovery responses; organizes, analyzes, reviews and maintains cases; creates chronologies, abstracts, statistical charts and summaries; assist with auditing process. Conducts computer and manual legal research and provides significant support to attorneys in preparing legal memoranda; uses full range of legal resource materials and uses uniform citation code. Jefferson County Job Description: Paralegal Page 2 of 6 Creates, supervises and supports computerized and manual systems for the organization and management of litigation, claims and incidents; maintains calendaring system. Independently performs major departmental functions as directed by attorneys. As assigned, interprets complex criminal history information to determine correct names, aliases, offender scores and accurately calculates sentencing ranges of defendants charges with felonies. As assigned, responds to other criminal justice agencies to verify and/or interpret criminal history information relating to prosecution of defendants in other jurisdictions. Responds to routine procedure or legal questions from attorneys, staff, outside agencies and other on issues relating to the Sentencing Reform Act. Pulls all files for court calendars; compares office calendars with printed court calendars; coordinates changes or additions with court; assure files contain all necessary documents; prepares standard documents for pleas, restitution, motions and other scheduled hearings. Reviews attorney's case file diary to determine next case requirement; prepares documents, re - calendar case, subpoena witnesses, close file, as indicated. Prepares legal documents including appeal briefs, motions, affidavits, orders and correspondence for review, approval, and use by attorney. Assures format is that required by a particular court and that documents are accurate; files documents with court; prepares affidavits of mailing to opposing parties. Obtains driving and criminal records from local, State and/or federal agencies, including from other states, either by letter or telephone contact. Provides information to victims and witnesses regarding court dates, restitution, case status, etc.; assist victims in preparing and filing applications for crime victim's compensation; coordinates compensation benefits and restitution with State agency. Prepares answers to and materials for civil and criminal discovery requests; obtains additional materials or information from law enforcement, as necessary Researches, recommends and secures services of professional consultants and expert witnesses as directed. Provides lead direction and training to all subordinate level employees as directed. Creates, researches, maintains and trains others in use of database. Reviews criminal files and from that drafts jury instructions for attorney review; assures final instructions are prepared in proper format and on timely basis. Prepares trial notebooks upon request of an attorney. Jefferson County Job Description: Paralegal Page 3 of 6 Telephones witnesses to confirm or reschedule trial or hearing dates; attempts to locate witnesses whose addresses or phone numbers are no longer valid. Performs investigative work as necessary to determine location, assets, income of absent parent; contacts variety of employers, state and local agencies, schools and other organizations to secure information. Prepares highly confidential documents such as memorandums to other county offices and officers, search warrants, investigative notes, motions/affidavits for arrest warrants. May function as unit liaison between other office units, other agencies, court, and public as directed. May redact audiotaped and videotaped statements and prepare transcription, as needed for hearings or trial. Complies with confidentiality requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), including RPC 1_6, RPC 3_6, and RPC 3_8. RPC 1.6 prohibits disclosure to any person outside of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office of information obtained from clients, except under limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. For purposes of this job description, "clients" are the County and its employees, and the Port Townsend Police Department and its employees. RPC 3.6 prohibits employees of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) from having any communication outside of the PAO about the investigation or communication of a matter being handled by the PAO, except in limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. RPC 3.8 discusses the special responsibility of prosecutors in the justice system and prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO that have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused in a criminal case. Performs other duties as assigned or required. KNOWLEDGE, SHILLS AND ABILITIES Thorough knowledge of legal office practices and procedures; legal terminology, papers, and documents, including appropriate formats. Advanced knowledge of Washington's substantive criminal law and Washington's Sentencing Reform Act. Knowledge of Lawyer's Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) and ability to recognize potential ethical violations and take corrective action. Knowledge of court rules, procedures, laws and regulations for numerous state, federal and appellate courts, commissions and boards. Knowledge of public disclosure laws, rules and regulations, discovery process and physical evidence. Jefferson County Job Description: Paralegal Page 4 of 6 Ability to operate personal computer and standard office machines. Proficiency in Microsoft Word is required, proficiency in Microsoft Access and Excel, or equivalent, is preferred. Ability to plan and organize work and determine operational needs in advance Ability to reliably and independently, draft, accurate, appropriate and effective legal documents, for final approval by attorneys. Ability to take initiative to make decisions in prioritizing and accurately completing multiple assigned tasks to meet multiple concurrent deadlines. Ability to use tact and judgment in responding to the public, law enforcement, defendants, witnesses, and officials from other agencies. Ability to recognize and maintain confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information. Ability to manage difficult or emotional customer situations in a professional manner. Ability to cope with reading and hearing about violent, disturbing, and emotionally unsettling criminal acts, and professionally interact with victims and witnesses to those acts. Ability to show respect and sensitivity for diverse population groups regardless of socioeconomic background, culture, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender, or any protected class. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but is a "lead" position in the division of assignment. Lead responsibilities include assisting the Department Head and/or Supervisor with interviewing, training, planning, assigning and directing work. Lead positions also may provide input for performance appraisals and assist in addressing complaints and resolving problems. The work is highly confidential. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university specializing in criminal justice or a relevant field; and ten (10) years related experience in a Prosecutor's or law office; OR Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school specializing in law or legal office practices or a Paralegal program; and twelve (12) years related experience in a in a Prosecutor's or law office OR Jefferson County Job Description: Paralegal Page 5 of 6 Equivalent combination of education and experience in public or private sector to be classified as a "Paralegal." Language Skills Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole umbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Paralegal, Professional Legal Secretary (PLS), Certified Legal Professional or equivalent experience. Valid Washington State Driver's License upon hire and throughout employment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS 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 use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of what 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. Work is performed in an open office setting which is busy and subject to tight deadlines and exacting procedures while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information, and tactfully managing interactions with a wide diversity of citizens within the legal system, including some who may be emotionally agitated. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Jefferson County Job Description: Paralegal Page 6 of 6 CAREER LADDER POSITION This position is not part of a career ladder.