Paralegal
A position in the City Court is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and in the quality of our community. We’re looking for a detail-oriented, strong writer and communicator who will provide essential service to the City Attorney, Prosecutor, and others in the Law Department. You’ll help research complex issues and work collaboratively with the rest of our tight-knit team.
Position Summary
The Paralegal reports to the City Attorney. The primary objective of this position is to provide paraprofessional legal and administrative support to the City’s Attorneys in a full range of legal functions by drafting legal documents, researching, preparing correspondence, and case and file management. The employee will perform functions of an advanced, complex, and highly confidential manner.
Essential Functions:
- Open new cases, creates and oversees the organization of the litigation case filing system, maintains a database of open and closed cases, closes cases, and disposes of documents.
- Assists in gathering and preparing evidence by overseeing litigation holds, working with the department representatives in obtaining and organizing document exhibits, and drafting discovery responses.
- Investigates and problem-solves issues and provides general legal assistance to all staff attorneys as directed.
- Uses independent thought and judgement and maintains confidentiality in communicating with Commission members, department and division heads and adverse parties on behalf of the department.
- Completes all administrative work associated with civil tort claims filed against the city, including, but not limited to, corresponding with claimants and department/division heads, monitoring deadlines and maintaining the claims database.
- Draft legal documents including contracts, petitions, legal notices, ordinances, and resolutions
- Perform legal research
- Compose and prepares correspondence, record file note, forms, memoranda, and confidential materials
- Establishes and maintains office files and records (both physical and electronic)
- Assists the City Attorney and outside attorneys with the location of various files and records
- Answers telephone and directs calls
- Fields questions, concerns, requests and complaints from City administration, department heads and staff, and from citizens and others
- Prepare, monitor, and track the City Attorney’s calendar for deadlines
- Maintain departmental personnel records
- Assists with scheduling appointments
- Assists with a wide range of document production (contracts, ordinances, correspondence, memoranda, etc.)
- Maintains office supplies
- Minor accounting duties
- Handles in-going and out-going mail.
Marginal Functions:
- Assist other departments as the need arises
- Other related duties as assigned
Education:
Completion of a paralegal studies program that is either ABA-approved or accredited and of similar standards to ABA-approved; passing one of the national certification exams offered by the national professional paralegal associations; completion of a baccalaureate degree and one year of in-house paralegal training; or completion of five years of work in a legal setting under the supervision of a lawyer including one year of in-house paralegal training. Valid Kansas driver’s license with a good driving record.
Experience: Two years’ of clerical experience with the two years’ of experience under the supervision of an attorney being preferred if the employee has completed the paralegal program or has a national certification.
Skills: This position requires: the ability to work independently; moderate to advance knowledge of legal terminology, research methods/techniques; ability to operate computers, printers, photocopiers, telephone systems, and other department equipment; the ability to type with speed and accuracy, to complete tasks in the presence of distractions, to prepare reports, and to interpret written instructions is required; the possession of excellent public relations, organizational, oral and written communication skills.
Problem Solving: Ability to exercise appropriate judgment within prescribed guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Decision Making: Independent decision-making authority exists in this position. This employee makes decisions about prioritizing daily assignments, performing daily duties in the most efficient manner as may be delegated by the City Attorney.
Accountability: The Paralegal is responsible for performing assigned duties efficiently and within the allotted time parameters. Employee must be able to maintain strict confidentiality and is responsible for decision made in carrying out position responsibilities.
Personal Relations: The Paralegal is expected to work in a close, positive manner with co-workers, superiors, the public, outside agencies, and other City departments, City administration and City governing body members, with a high degree of professionalism. The Paralegal must be able to deal with the public politely and professionally despite sometimes stressful circumstances.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None.
Work Environment: No adverse working conditions exist in this position. Working in an office setting with a computer is the primary aspect of this position.
Physical Requirements: The Legal Assistant’s physical job demands include Occasional Bend/Crouch; Occasional Carry of <5 lbs.; Occasional Foot Coordination; Constant Hand Coordination; Occasional Lift of up to 50 lbs. from Floor to Waist; Occasional Horizontal Push/Pull of up to12 lbs.; Occasional Forward Reach; Constant Sit; Occasional Stand; Frequent Walk. See Job Analysis for details.