DescriptionThe Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, is actively seeking qualified candidates to join our team as a
Paralegal.
Please note that this position may close without notice once a suitable candidate is selected. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications promptly. Salary Update 3% COLA increase effective October 2024; approximate hourly rate range from $34.02 - $43.42
Benefit Highlights VIEW THE 2024 BENEFITS GUIDE .
About the Position Under broad supervision, assists attorneys in providing legal services to self-represented litigants; assists attorneys in a range of research, documentation and analysis in the Legal Research unit and/or Self Help Resource Center; performs paraprofessional duties for a diverse legal caseload; and performs related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
A Paralegal provides paraprofessional legal assistance to one or more of the court's staff attorneys by researching/analyzing legal statutes, case law, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles and governmental codes. When assigned to the Self Help Center, provides education and assistance to self-represented litigants on matters including, but not limited to, family law, small claims, landlord-tenant and guardianship.
Employees in this class typically report to a Supervising Paralegal.
Paralegal is differentiated from a Self Help Assistant in that the former class is a certified Paralegal or equivalent pursuant to Business & Professions Code Section 6450 and performs the more difficult or complex assignments.
VIEW THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION . Essential FunctionsCompletes routine legal research on various issues as directed by an attorney or supervisor, or as needed by court customers.Collects information and reviews legal documents and forms for completeness and procedural compliance with code requirements; conducts legal research; reviews/assesses factual matters and claims related to cases.Provides information and educational materials to the public regarding court rules, regulations and procedures; reviews documents with self-represented parties and explains their legal options; provides assistance in completing and filing legal forms; explains fees and fines; screens cases and refers to outside agencies where appropriate.Maintains statistics and prepares periodic reports.Performs community outreach activities to inform the public of the self-help services offered by the court.Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum QualificationsCertificate of completion of a paralegal training program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or equivalencies as described in Business and Professions Code section 6450(c)(2)-(c)(4), and two (2) years of increasingly responsible legal, court and/or judicial support assistance that includes legal research and drafting legal documents; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Must possess and maintain a Paralegal Certification and perform mandatory continuing legal education.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of civil, criminal and administrative law applicable to practice as a paralegal;
- Rules, statutes, and case authority applicable to areas of law served by the unit to which the paralegal is assigned, including but not limited to paternity, family law, guardianship, unlawful detainers, and small claims;
- California court procedures, rules of evidence and burden-of-proof issues;
- Principles, practices and techniques of legal research and writing;
- Methods and techniques of effective interviewing;
- Methods and techniques of legal research and investigation;
- Legal forms and the content required for filing cases, including, but not limited to, family law, small claims, landlord-tenant and guardianship;
- Standard business software and specialized legal software and programs;
- Correct English usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation; practices of legal communication;
- Effective customer service practices and techniques.
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Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the required application and supplemental questions.Human Resources will review applications to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications; therefore, it is to your benefit to include all pertinent work experience. When listing court experience, please include the dates and classification of each position held, if there is more than one.
Selection Process Applications will be reviewed to identify candidates with minimum qualifications and/or desirables. Only those who meet the minimum qualifications and desirables (if applicable) will proceed to the next step in the recruitment process.Candidates' supplemental question responses may be evaluated and ranked. Depending on the number of applications, assessments and/or screening interviews may be conducted. Candidates who are successful in step 2 will be placed on the eligible list and may be considered for interview. Placement on the eligible list does not guarantee an interview or employment.
All candidates will be notified of their status via email at each process step. Additional steps in the selection process will include a background check and a reference check.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process may contact the Human Resources Office at (909) 521-3700 or via email at careers @sb-court.org . Individuals with hearing and/or speech impairments may also contact the recruiter for this position through the use of the California Relay Service by dialing 711.
Physical CharacteristicsThe physical and mental demands described in the job description are representative of those that employees must meet to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino is an Equal Opportunity Employer- M/F/D/V.SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
BENEFITS SUMMARY
The San Bernardino Superior Court offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.A summary of benefits is provided below.
Health and Welfare Benefits MEDICAL: The Court offers a variety of comprehensive health plan options to fit individual employee needs. The Court contributes up to $200.00 in benefit plan dollars each pay period to help full-time employees pay for health premiums. In addition, the health plan subsidy the court contributes toward the employee cost is57% of lowest cost HMO plan based on level of coverage.
DENTAL: The dental subsidy is equivalent to 100% of the employee only DPPO coverage plan (but not less than twenty dollars {$20.00} per pay period.)
VISION: Court-paid plan for employees. No co-pay/deductible for eye exams; frames and standard lenses or contact lenses (in lieu of standard lenses) every twelve (12) months.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY: Court-paid benefit that provides partial income replacement in the event that an employee is unable to work due to a non-work related disability.
LIFE INSURANCE: Court-paid basic life insurance benefit of $35,000. Additional supplemental life and AD&D insurance benefits may be purchased voluntarily.
MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT: Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that helps participating employees lower their taxable income. Under this plan, employees elect to set aside pre-tax money each pay period to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses for themselves and their eligible dependents that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan.
DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PLAN: This is a type of Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that helps participating eligible employees lower their taxable income. Under this plan, employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.
Leave Allowances VACATION: After completion of the requisite hours of continuous service (based on the bargaining unit), employees are eligible to use accrued vacation allowance. Depending on length of service, employees may accrue from 80 to 160 hours annually.
HOLIDAY: Fourteen (14) paid recognized holidays and the accrual of two (2) floating holidays annually.
SICK LEAVE: Employees in regular positions accrue approximately 3.39 hours of sick leave per pay period to use during instances of authorized absence due to illness, injury, or medically related appointments.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: ALL employees are eligible to receive a maximum of thirty- two (32) hours of paid leave per occurrence for bereavement leave due to the death of a person in the immediate family.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans RETIREMENT: The Court is a 1937 Act employer. More detailed information may be found by contacting SBCERA at (909) 885-7980 or toll-free at 1-877-722-3721 or by visiting the website at San Bernardino County Retirement Association. The Court does not pay into the Social Security system; however, it does contribute to Medicare.
Retirement benefits subject to change.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Employees are eligible to participate in the Court's 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. This is the supplemental retirement plan that permits employees to defer a certain portion of their pre or post tax salary, within certain Internal Revenue Service (IRS) limits, to an account maintained by an investment service provider. Participating employees in the pre-tax option postpone paying taxes on the deferred portion of their income.
Additional Benefits TUITION BENEFIT:Employees with at least twelve (12) monthsof service will be allowed a maximum of $600.00each fiscal year.These monies may be used for job related education or career development, book fees or to reimburse membership dues in professional organizations.
CAR ALLOWANCE: Use of Court Vehicle.
COMMUTER SERVICES: This program assists with providing information on carpools, rideshare matching, and public transportation options. The Court offers incentives for employees eligible to participating in Ridesharing activities.
FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE: The Court recognizes the importance of work/life balance. Employees may request alternative work scheduling or flexible work schedules when classifications meet the requirements.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to modify the benefit programs in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
