Paralegal

Pay $25.65/Hour - $35.91/Hour

Nature of Work, Essential Functions & KSA's

You can do great work and love what you do with the City of Delaware. We are an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity, and the innovative spirit of all our employees. The City of Delaware is an award-winning local government organization known for its professionalism, customer service orientation and a strong commitment to distinctive and well-planned community development. The work environment is stable with excellent benefits and retirement packages.  Our mission is to ensure an effective government, a healthy economy, being a safe city and welcoming you to be a part of this great community!
   
Under the direction of the City Attorney and/or Prosecutor, provides administrative legal support to the City Attorney’s and Prosecutor’s office and staff. The work consists of legal research and drafting, coordinating communications, preparing cases (or legal files), scheduling and assisting with Legal Department activities. 
 
Essential Functions: For purposes of 42 USC 12101

1. Assist City Attorney and other Legal Department attorney staff by preparing and reviewing various legal documents including real estate documents, contracts, briefs, civil pleadings, motions, discovery, and court entries as needed.
2. Assist City Attorney and other Legal Department attorney staff in preparing for trials by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits and discovery.
3. Assist City Attorney and other Legal Department attorney staff through building and maintaining a calendar system to effectively track deadlines and court appearance dates.
4. Assist City Attorney and other Legal Department attorney staff with file management of litigation cases, public records requests, and civil City of Delaware organizational matters.
5. Assist City Attorney and other Legal Department attorney staff through maintaining digital case management software system and other off-line case management tools, to include reviewing, closing, and archiving files to ensure compliance with Legal Department retention schedules.
6. Assist City Attorney and other Legal Department attorney staff by handling requests for information and case documents from Legal Department attorney staff, outside counsel, opposing counsel, inter-departmental City staff, and constituents. 
7. Provide litigation support for City Attorney and other Legal Department attorney staff by managing discovery, communicating with retained counsel, reviewing pleadings and filing documents with the court or appropriate agency. 
8. Assist in preparation of criminal cases in meeting with witnesses, victims and law enforcement to discuss details of cases and organizing presentation of witnesses and evidence at trial.
9. Track and manage public records requests.
10. Serve as liaison to City Departmental staff with pending litigation matters. 
11. Process invoices and track financial expenditures to budget.
12. Data Entry 
13. Maintain sensitive and confidential information without disclosure.
14. Maintain required licensures, certification, and continuing education requirements, if any.
15. Attend staff meetings as assigned.
16. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• City government and operations. 
• Proper English grammar and spelling. 
• Administrative procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology. 
• Records management and electronic filing system best practices.
• General understanding of criminal justice system, civil litigation, and court procedures.

Skills

• Strong proofreading, composition and editing skills.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing to give and receive information in a prompt and courteous manner
• Advanced skill in utilizing Microsoft Office products (i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other related office equipment (printers, copiers, etc.) 

Abilities

• Conduct legal research utilizing legal software applications and databases (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Casemaker). 
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments with minimum direction in a fast-paced environment.
• Prepare concise and accurate documents.
• Analyze and work with team members to recommend and implement most effective ways to complete projects and assignments.
• Handle confidential materials in strict confidence. 
• Learn and apply knowledge of Delaware codified ordinances and the Ohio Revised Code.
• Deal problems involving few variables within familiar context.
• Learn and implement new technological software tools.
• Prepare accurate documentation.
• Maintain records according to established procedures.
• Respond to routine inquiries from public and/or officials. 
• Communicate effectively including reading and oral comprehension.
• Complete routine forms.
• Perform job safely.
  

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Majority of work is performed in an office environment where the physical demands require sitting for extended periods of time; frequent use of computers and standard office equipment; may work under stress of deadlines. 
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively with others in person,  over the telephone, and through written communication such as email and instant messaging. 
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written materials on a computer for extended periods of time. 
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and computer systems. 
• Sufficient personal mobility and flexibility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office setting,  sit for extended periods of time, and walk short distances. 
• Sufficient ability and strength to lift, carry, or otherwise move objects up to ten (10) pounds for varying distances. 

Training, Experience, and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree or paralegal degree/certificate preferred. Candidates enrolled in a paralegal program will be considered. 
• One (1) to two (2) years of administrative or office experience preferred.
• Must be honest, dependable, and trustworthy. 

Supplemental Information / Special Requirements

The City of Delaware offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, and life insurance, retirement pension and savings plans, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and longevity pay and, in many positions, paid uniforms or clothing allowance. This position is part of the Management Pay Plan. Details about the compensation and benefits for this position can be found in the agreement by clicking here.

The information above is intended to be illustrative of the kinds of duties that may be assigned to the position and should not be interpreted to describe all the duties which may be required of employees holding this position.

The City of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), the City of Delaware will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.