Paralegal

About the role

The City of Redwood City invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Paralegal within the City Attorney’s Office. This position is responsible for performing a wide range of complex and highly responsible paraprofessional and administrative duties. Key responsibilities include the preparation, review, and management of complex legal documents, as well as other specialized legal administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Prepare legal documents for litigation and administrative hearings.
• Compile materials and assist in the preparation of ordinances, regulations, resolutions, contracts, leases and permits.
• Process court documents requiring knowledge of legal procedures, format, and terminology in accordance with federal, state, and local rules.
• Maintain appropriate records and statistics.
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information from the Council, City staff and the public.
• Perform legal research; gather information regarding laws, ordinances, regulations, court decisions and similar materials related to assigned projects.
• Draft routine legal documents.
• Assist with Public Records Act requests.
• Collaborate with City departments to ascertain the volume and nature of records responsive to the request, monitor deadlines for timely production of responsive records, assist attorneys in identifying responsive records and applicable exemptions, and perform and coordinate redaction of information exempt from disclosure.
• Work independently, recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Assist with computerized forms and processes and advise on office equipment technology and systems.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor's degree or a certificate in a formalized paralegal training program.
• Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible administrative experience in a law office or agency, including one year of paralegal experience with a municipality.
• Knowledge of: Methods of legal research, legal procedures, terminology, forms and documents, organization, procedures, and operating details of a municipal government, court rules relating to preparing and filing legal documents.
• Ability to: Understand the organization and operation of the City and outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities, work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies, interpret and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures, conduct research independently and make logical recommendations, communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, deliver quality and timely customer service, establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Skills to: Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment, proofread legal and administrative documents.

Qualifications

• Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment: Mobility to work in a standard office environment and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Must possess some ability to sit for long periods of time, although standing for prolonged periods and walking between work areas may be required. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.