DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, assists staff attorneys in a range of research, documentation, and analysis; performs paraprofessional duties for diverse legal caseload; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the entry and journey level paraprofessional classification that provides legal assistance to one or more of the Court’s staff attorneys.  Such work includes: researching and analyzing statutes and case law, and other legal authority; gathering, proofreading and editing legal drafts; preparing case summaries, orders and other legal documents.  Paralegals perform substantive legal work at the direction of an assigned staff attorney.

The following duties are normal for this position.   The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned.  

1. Collects information for routine legal research to assist attorneys determining appropriate legal procedure. 
2. Prepares legal memos and court orders at the direction and oversight of the staff attorney.
3. Reviews legal documents and forms for completeness and procedural compliance with applicable legal requirements.
4. Summaries, outlines and briefs cases as directed  
5. Assists staff attorneys in reviewing changes in legislation and case law; examines, reviews, and analyzes local rules and forms for compliance with procedural of statutes, codes, rules and policies; conducts basic legal research, including locating statutes and relevant case citations; prepares reports, memoranda and performs special studies.
6. Prepares support documents and calculations based upon statutory guidelines under the direction of a staff attorney.
7. Provides legal services to other offices, operations, or divisions of the Court.

1. Performs other related duties as required

Supervisory Duties:

None

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Education:

• A certificate of completion of an accredited paralegal training program

Experience:

• Equivalent of three (3) years of full-time legal clerical experience researching and drafting a variety of legal documents, preferably supplemented by course work in legal office practices and business law 
• Directly related experience in a court setting may be substituted on a year for year basis as deemed appropriate by the Court Executive Officer
• Preferably, one year of full-time journey level paralegal experience. 
• Education equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Business Administration or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of legal secretarial experience.

License, Certification and/or Special Requirements:

• A valid class C California driver’s license may be required.  The requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.

Knowledge of:

• Court procedures, laws, and rules
• Principles of Criminal, Constitutional, Civil, and Administrative Law
• California codes and statutes applicable to criminal and civil law
• Procedures and legal terminology applicable to the preparation, acceptance and processing of documents.
• Legal research techniques
• General office practices and equipment
• Filing and record keeping methods
• Establishment and maintenance of filing and record-keeping systems
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Computers and software used in professional legal work

Skill/Ability to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply detailed, specialized information, including codes, rules, policies, procedures, forms and legal terms in carrying out job assignments accurately and efficiently
• Read, interpret, and apply statutory and legal requirements applicable to the investigation and preparation of probate claims and processing of documents
• Read and understand legal documents and verify accuracy completeness and authenticity of signatures and documents
• Interpret judicial orders correctly and explain case and procedural information accurately and precisely to attorneys and other agencies
• Perform legal support and legal research work
• Analyze facts and apply legal precedents and principles to assigned legal review and research work
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Operate a computer and use appropriate software in the performance of professional legal work
• Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals
• Maintain confidential information when required by legal or ethical standards
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Organize and prioritize own work in order to meet deadlines
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Read and write at a sufficient level to perform work. Type accurately at a speed exceeding 45 wpm or more (sufficient to perform the duties of the position); typing certificate may be required

Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization:  Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data.   Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.  

Human Interaction:  Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization:  Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. 

Verbal Aptitude:  Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data, and information.

Mathematical Aptitude:  Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning:  Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning:  Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Physical Ability:

• Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use a keyboard, computer monitor, and other office equipment on a daily basis and for extended periods of time
• Fine finger manipulations, dexterity, and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper
• Forceful and repetitive gripping, grasping, and pinching
• Occasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 20 lbs. 
• Frequent reaching for items on shelves, above, at, and below desk/shoulder level
• Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move, torque, twist, push, and pull objects
• Frequently sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods; and frequently walk, move, bend, stoop, lift, and stretch
• Able to move to different locations such as, but not limited to: courtrooms, clerk’s office, various departments, other court facilities, and desk assignments based on the operational needs of the Court
• Able to traverse inside and outside over uneven ground and pavement
• Perform repetitive writing, typing, copying
• Employees are regularly required to verbally communicate both in person and by telephone
• Corrected hearing and vision to normal range

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals.   Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

The Superior Court of California, Merced County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Superior Court of California, Merced County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS:  Convictions, depending on the type, number and date, may be disqualifying.  Court employees shall be subject to a modified background investigation and fingerprinting.  False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.