Paralegal - Public Defense Services

Paralegal Position

This recruitment is to establish a register for current and future paralegal vacancies which serve all levels/assignments of paralegal in the offices of the Pima County Public Defense Services Department (Legal Advocate; Legal Defender; Mental Health Defender; Office of Children's Counsel; Public Defender, Public Fiduciary).

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5700 - Paralegal

Salary Grade: 8

Pay Range: $23.28 - $31.44 Per Hour

This position provides essential support to legal operations within a public service or governmental organization. Responsibilities include conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, managing case files, and assisting in case preparation under the supervision of attorneys. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment while upholding ethical standards and maintaining confidentiality.

Pima County Public Defense Services represents indigent individuals upon appointment by the Court in felony cases, misdemeanor cases, juvenile delinquency matters, dependency and severance proceedings, Title 36 proceedings, guardianship cases, and appeals in Pima County. Paralegals work collaboratively with attorneys to provide direct client representation and handle diverse caseloads of various offenses, allegations, and degrees of seriousness.

Essential Functions:

• Manages caseload involving specialized areas of law (criminal and civil) and recommends appropriate legal action;
• Compiles, coordinates and analyzes case information throughout all phases of case administration and initiates appropriate action to start legal proceedings;
• Plans, develops and organizes all phases of work, prioritizes sequences of work, monitors progress and follows-up to completion;
• Researches and conducts investigations of credit histories, locating financial data and place of residence using automated data systems and restricted access sources;
• Conducts legal research through the use of computerized legal research (Lexis and Westlaw) or statutes, U.S. Constitution, legal periodicals, law reviews, digests, legal encyclopedias, codes, regional and federal reporters, slip opinions and various case law;
• Updates or shepardizes case law to distinguish and analogize the case to the fact situation at hand;
• Identifies applicable statutes or rules that are in force and effect for the particular matter;
• Drafts routine and complex legal documents, motions, interrogatories, arguments, briefs, opinions, petitions, changes of plea, contracts and ordinances;
• Responds to motions, discovery requests, interrogatories, petitions, plea agreements, writs and orders;
• Coordinates between the assigned department and other governmental agencies to include out of state jurisdictions;
• Acts as liaison for attorney to the courts, law enforcement agencies, other county departments, clients and the public;
• Prepares memos and letters regarding attorney client privilege and confidential matters;
• Upholds confidentiality and adheres to ethical standards in all tasks;
• Provides administrative support to attorneys and legal staff as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate's degree in paralegal, legal assistant, law, business, legal secretary, criminal justice, political science, interdisciplinary studies, regional development, communications or a closely related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment OR a certificate of completion in paralegal or legal assistant studies from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved program at an accredited college or university.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

OR:

Two years of work experience performing paraprofessional-level work in a law office or legal setting as a Paralegal, Legal Assistant, or Legal Secretary, or work involving legal procedures, terminology, or administration as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Selection Procedure: Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Some positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Frequently speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies, in-person and/or on the phone. Frequently remains in a stationary position. Frequently moves about inside an office. Occasionally drives to conduct field work. Occasionally must lift and carry items. Regularly works in a professional office setting. Depends on Assignment. Motion Activity - grasping; Speaking Activity - in person and on the phone; Vision Activity (depends on assignment) - may require operating motor vehicle, distinguishing colors, depth perception and peripheral vision.

Working Conditions: Regular daily attendance is an essential function for this position. The Paralegal regularly receives and responds to telephone calls and emails. The Paralegal occasionally drives to visit clients at residence or at jail or juvenile detention center, and to witnesses and other case involved parties at residences or business locations.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.