About the Opportunity ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The Stanislaus County Public Defender's Office fights mass incarceration by providing zealous representation to low-income people facing criminal charges. The Public Defender seeks to serve the whole client, addressing needs that contribute to criminal legal involvement or that arise from contact with the legal system. The office is client-centered in its representation, recognizing that all clients deserve autonomy, dignity, and respect throughout their experience with the justice system. The Paralegal will join a team of over 80 attorneys, investigators, and other staff dedicated to keeping people free and preserving their future despite the criminal charges they may be facing.
To learn more about the Office of the Public Defender, click here .
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The Public Defender's Office is seeking an individual to perform paraprofessional technical legal work and assist attorneys in processing routine case documentation. An incumbent is expected to apply knowledge and abilities in legal research, legal documentation preparation, and provide assistance in case preparation.
ABOUT THE POSITIONThe Paralegal classification is assigned to various County legal departments. Paralegal I is the entry-level classification in this series. Incumbents receive training, close supervision, review and direction in the completion of assignments. Paralegal II is the intermediate level in this series and incumbents are expected to work independently and complete more difficult assignments with minimum supervision. Incumbents in level II may also be assigned to a specialized unit and perform related duties and/or special projects as assigned.
Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the technical services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.
Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.
Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.
Typical Tasks PARALEGAL I - Perform simple legal research, including locating statutes and cases utilizing various legal research platforms;
- Review reports, which may include law enforcement reports;
- Draft motions, pleadings and points and authorities under direct supervision;
- Review basic legal documents and forms for completeness and conformance;
- Prepare basic legal forms, correspondence and reports;
- File and retrieve a variety of documents with/from various courts;
- Respond to simple requests for information and/or inquiries from interested parties;
- Obtain, review and summarize police reports, depositions, interrogatories and other relevant information;
- Update case and computer files;
- Special projects as assigned; and
- Maintain law library, update legal references and maintain inventory of materials.
PARALEGAL II
In addition to all level I tasks: - Research, interpret, apply laws, court decisions and other legal authorities for use in preparation of case opinions and briefs, with minimum instruction;
- Review documents to determine compliance with statutes, court decisions, and other applicable laws;
- Prepare and/or assist in the preparation of pleadings, points and authorities and related legal documents;
- Maintain legal case files;
- Conduct interviews;
- Inventory evidence;
- Accept service of process; and
- Retrieve and respond to requests for information and/or inquiries from interested parties.
PARALEGAL IIIIn addition to all level I and II tasks: - Provide outreach training to law enforcement, other public agencies and the community;
- Review a variety of documents for compliance with statutes, court decisions, and other legal authorities, advise parties on requirements of document completion;
- Prepare and respond to complex motions and pleadings; and receive service of process;
- Gather information, analyze, compute and calculate financial information and statistics utilizing established policies and procedures of assigned unit;
- Study, research and interpret laws, court decisions and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, and briefs; assist in case analysis;
- Assign, review, and coordinate correspondence, special projects, and research;
- Prepare complex legal forms, reports, and correspondence;
- Serve as a lead to assigning, monitoring work, training employees on work methods, and providing direction;
- Act as a financial investigation/asset forfeiture expert and oversee the liquidation of the forfeited cases;
- Maintain current reference index logs of all claims, defendants and victims to field inquiries, ascertain status of prosecution or the eligibility of claim or benefits paid on the claim;
- Participate in mediation and various court hearings; and
- Assist with grant preparation; assign court calendar; and update case and computer files.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)KNOWLEDGEPARALEGAL I - Basic legal concepts, terminology, principles, rules, and procedures;
- Document preparation techniques;
- Standard office procedures and equipment;
- Filing techniques and procedures; and
- Basic research techniques.
PARALEGAL IIIn addition to a demonstrated knowledge of all Level I requirements:
- Criminal, family law and civil legal procedures, trial and hearing procedures, and rules of evidence;
- General County government functions, practices, procedures and legal responsibility;
- Working knowledge of legal research techniques; and
- Basic accounting principles and practices.
PARALEGAL IIIIn addition to a demonstrated knowledge of all Level II requirements:
- Applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations;
- Legal document preparation techniques;
- Advanced research techniques and tools;
- Paralegal methods and practices;
- Civil procedures and rules of court;
- Litigation processes; and
- General accounting principles and practices.
SKILLS/ABILITIES PARALEGAL I - Ability to use computers and related software programs;
- Ability to handle confidential material;
- Draft and analyze legal documents and correspondence;
- Understand basic provisions of the law and applicable procedures;
- Organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines;
- Conduct basic research;
- Written and verbal communication sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction; and
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
PARALEGAL IIIn addition to a demonstrated ability with all Level I requirements:
- Independently research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal problems;
- Present statements of law and fact clearly, accurately and logically in written/oral form;
- Independently perform legal research;
- Understand and explain provisions of the law and applicable procedures;
- Read and understand statues, court decisions, and legal documents;
- Prioritize and manage a caseload;
- Analyze complex information relating to criminal, civil or family law cases; and
- Understand and adhere to rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
PARALEGAL III In addition to a demonstrated ability with all Level II requirements: - Assist in negotiating settlements;
- Prioritize and assign work;
- Summarize data and information;
- Draft and analyze complex legal documents;
- Perform advanced legal research;
- Independently prepare clear and concise reports;
- Verbal and written communication sufficient to exchange or convey information and receive work;
- Calculate financial information;
- Understand, interpret and apply advanced principles and practices;
- Advanced editing and drafting skills; and
- Work independently
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSPARALEGAL I - Certificate of completion from a recognized paralegal program or Associate's degree in paralegal studies; OR
- Successful completion of at least one year of law school; OR
- Bachelors' degree in Criminal Justice or legal related field.
- Veterans' Preference Program eligible job classification.
PARALEGAL II PATTERN I
- One (1) year experience equivalent to a Paralegal I in Stanislaus County; AND
- Certificate of completion from a recognized Paralegal Program or Associates degree in Paralegal studies.
PATTERN II - Successful completion of two (2) years from a recognized law school.
PARALEGAL III - One (1) year experience equivalent to a Paralegal II in Stanislaus County; AND
PATTERN I - Certificate of completion from a recognized Paralegal Program or Associate degree in Paralegal studies.
PATTERN II - Possession of a Juris Doc degree from a recognized law school.
Application and Selection Procedures APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.
EXAMINATION PROCESSMost County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.
- Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
- Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
- Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
- Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE Application Deadline:
September 2, 2024 at 5pm Oral Examination:
Tentatively the week of September 15 Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County .
GENERAL INFORMATIONFinal appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.
Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.
Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at
http://myclubwellness.org Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.
Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary .
Closing Date/Time: 9/2/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
