Paralegal - Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program

The Job

SALARY INCREASES

3% Effective February 2025

3% Effective February 2026

( Salary increases contingent upon Property Related Revenue and/or

statewide Realignment Sales Tax Collections performance.)

STEP ADVANCEMENTS

Bi-annual step increases of approximately 2.5%

Make a Difference in the Community!

San Bernardino County is recruiting for Paralegals who will work for the Law Offices of the Public Defender and be assigned to work with the Behavioral Health Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program. The AOT program was designed to reach individuals who struggle to exit the mental health system’s revolving door through a multi-disciplinary team approach and with support from key collaborative partners, including the Law Offices of the Public Defender and the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator. The program aims to provide necessary mental health services to reduce hospitalizations, incarcerations, and homelessness in order to improve public safety and the quality of life for those affected.

This program offers the unique opportunity for a Paralegal to work as a member of the Public Defender's mobile team alongside the Sheriff's Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement (HOPE) team, and engage the unhoused and mentally ill in voluntary treatment in order to avoid Care Court. The mobile team will meet potential AOT clients where they reside and provide field-based consultation and representation. This position will assist with referrals, preparation of legal paperwork, issues pertaining to warrants, and providing support for attorneys.

Additional duties may include assisting in the preparation of legal documents, trial preparation, and legal research and analysis.

For more detailed information, refer to the Paralegal job description.

About the Law Offices of the P ublic Defender

The Law Offices of the Public Defender provide legal representation to any criminal or civil commitment defendant who cannot afford to hire an attorney, unless the office has a legal conflict of interest with that defendant’s case. The Public Defender represents adults and juveniles charged with misdemeanor or felony crimes, and persons facing involuntary civil commitment for mental disorders or commitment under the Sexually Violent Predator statute.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender, San Bernardino County is a leader in innovation, developing and implementing programs to operate more efficiently and improving individual lives. Using a holistic approach, the Public Defender seeks to increase client opportunities for achieving self-sufficiency. In addition to providing legal defense, our agency also seeks to arrange client access to social service programs and assistance with receiving alcohol and drug rehabilitation services and counseling for mental health issues.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGE

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background: Applicants must pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting, prior to appointment.

Field Work: This assignment will require ongoing field work to provide outreach and legal services the unhoused and mentally ill population where they reside.

Travel: Travel throughout the County is required. A valid California Class C driver license is required at time of appointment and must be maintained. Employees in this class may be required to use personal vehicles and show proof of automobile liability insurance. Mileage reimbursement is available.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Applicants must meet one of the options below.

Note : Candidates are required to attach copies of qualifying degree, transcripts, and/or attorney declaration or application will be disqualified .

Option 1: Possess a certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.

Option 2: Possess a certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a post-secondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) units in law-related courses that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau of Private Post-secondary and Vocational Education.

Option 3: Possess a baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject from an accredited college or university , a minimum of one (1) year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three (3) years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating the applicant is qualified to perform legal tasks.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate for positions will have criminal law practice experience, familiarity with spreadsheets and Excel programs, and some experience working with the indigent population.

Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) are highly desired. Additional compensation is associated with positions requiring the use of bilingual skills. Testing of bilingual skills may be required to receive additional compensation.

Selection Process

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire. You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience and skills, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department.

Application Procedure : Please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 pm on the filing deadline . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaires.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note, if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application we have not received your application.

All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mail frequently to learn additional information regarding this recruitment. Check your GovernmentJobs account for notifications. Update your firewalls to allow e-mails from San Bernardino County through governmentjobs.com. Update your Spam, Junk, and Bulk settings to ensure it will not spam/block/filter communications from email addresses with the following domain "@hr.sbcounty.gov". Finally, be sure to keep your personal information updated. Taking these steps now will help ensure you receive all communications regarding this recruitment.

EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouse or widow(er) who are not current County employees may be awarded additional Veterans’ Preference points. Click here for information and instructions to request Veteran's Preference points.

If you require technical assistance, please click HERE to review the Government Jobs online application guide , or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer or browser used to submit the application.

Please click HERE for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process .

Technical & Inspection Unit

The County of San Bernardino offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, 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.

For a summary of benefits,* please click here .

Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the Benefits website for more detailed information at hr.sbcounty.gov/employee-benefits/ .

*Retirement benefits subject to change.

Closing Date/Time: 10/25/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

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• San Bernardino County

• 9093878304

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