Paralegal Bilingual-Visalia

Essential Functions

• Provide education materials to parents concerning the process of establishing paternity and establishing modifying and enforcing child and spousal support in the courts
• Assist attorneys in legal research utilizing a computer and gathering information from the internet, legal research software, legal books and publications
• Attend staff and other work-related meetings, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education opportunities
• Distribute necessary court forms and voluntary declarations of paternity
• Review files to ensure that documentation is procedurally correct and in compliance with appropriate laws and local rules and note deficiencies
• Prepare accurate summary documentation, sets forth facts of each matter before court, summarizes the legal factors and any issues and makes recommendations for action
• Maintain effective working relationships with Judicial Officers, court staff, staff from other courts and the District Attorney
• Mediate issues of child support, spousal support, and maintenance of health insurance
• Prepare stipulations to include all issues agreed to by the parties
• Prepare formal orders consistent with the court’s announced order in cases where both parties are unrepresented
• Maintain a cooperative relationship and effective referral base with legal and domestic violence resources
• Mediate issues of child support with parties to case to reach resolution as possible; work with TCDCSS to resolve child support issues and avoid court hearings
• Translate documents for non-English speaking individuals with court business at least forty percent of work time
• Serve as a representative of the Court, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Court community and with the public

Marginal Functions

• Perform related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of: Legal procedures, Legal research, techniques and methods, Drafting legal documents, and opinion writing, Filing procedures and legal terminology, Court policies, Legal ethics related to civil or criminal procedures
• Skills/Abilities: Effective grammar/writing skills, Proofread for correct grammar, citations, codes, etc., Analyze legal documents accurately, Correctly summarize the law in any given area by written memoranda, Understand and apply legal principles and precedents, Research legal references, Present verbal statements of fact and law, Perform computerized legal research, Establish effective working relations with attorneys, officials, clients, co-workers, and the general public, Follow verbal and written instructions, Operate a personal computer and related software with efficiency, Have excellent phone skills and a clear and concise manner of speaking, Keyboard ability at a minimum of 50 words per minute, Learn and apply the practices and procedures of the work unit to which assigned, Punctually arrive at workstation, Work independently to prioritize work and meet departmental deadlines

Education and Experience

• Minimum requirement is completion of an approved legal paraprofessional training program, with possession of a paralegal certificate
• Three years experience researching and drafting a variety of legal documents, preferably supplemented by course work in legal office practices and business law; preferably including one year of journey level paralegal experience

Desirable Employment Standards

• Knowledge of Civil litigation procedures, Bail Bond law, Trial Court Act, Public employee discipline process, Administrative law, Family law, Child welfare law, Public nuisance enforcement actions, Criminal law, License or Certificate: Possession of paralegal certificate

Working Conditions

• Regularly Required: Sit at a desk and/or in front of a computer terminal, Twist and bend neck, Repetitive hand movement while performing computer data entry as well as writing, Stand, Travel to various court divisions, Bend at waist in retrieving materials, Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 10 lbs, Reach above and/or below shoulder height, Tolerate mild exposure to dust, Potential exposure to individuals with illnesses
• Frequently Required: Push and/or pull drawers of desk and/or file cabinets, Crouch, stoop, and kneel while retrieving materials from shelves and cabinets, Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 25 lbs, Drive to and from various court locations in own vehicle
• Occasionally Required: Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 50 lb

Additional Information

• Workplace: Regularly Required: Sit at a desk and/or in front of a computer terminal, Twist and bend neck, Repetitive hand movement while performing computer data entry as well as writing, Stand, Travel to various court divisions, Bend at waist in retrieving materials, Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 10 lbs, Reach above and/or below shoulder height, Tolerate mild exposure to dust, Potential exposure to individuals with illnesses
• Frequently Required: Push and/or pull drawers of desk and/or file cabinets, Crouch, stoop, and kneel while retrieving materials from shelves and cabinets, Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 25 lbs, Drive to and from various court locations in own vehicle
• Occasionally Required: Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 50 lb

Benefits

• Vacation: 11 days initially; 16 days after 3 years; 20 days after 8 years; 25 days after 11 years (300 hours accrual limitation)
• Holidays: 14 holidays + 2 floating holidays per year
• Sick Leave: 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation
• Insurance: Medical PPO plan, dental and vision coverage are available. Dependent coverage is also available. Life insurance coverage of $10,000 is provided. All positions are eligible for long-term and/or State disability insurance.
• Retirement: Defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the Tulare County Superior Court and the employee. The Tulare County Superior Court has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, State Teachers’ Retirement System, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.
• Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, Employee Recognition Program, IRS Section 125 Program (provides tax savings for insurance costs, dependent care costs and unreimbursed medical expenses), and Deferred Compensation plans are available.