Paralegal, Senior (DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTION ONLY)

About the role

Provide legal assistance and litigation support for Pinal County Attorney's Office Capital Litigation Unit, use independent judgment based on technical knowledge to conduct research, write legal documents, and manage criminal case files, attend trials and hearings, and provide active support under general supervision.

Responsibilities

• Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described.
• Provide legal assistance and case management functions for attorneys in the Pinal County Attorney's Office (PCAO) Capital Litigation Unit, prioritize assignments, and perform duties within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with County policies.
• Apply independent judgment based on knowledge of PCAO policies and procedures, gained through technical training and work experience, complete assigned special projects, and identify and resolve problems.
• Provide case management functions for prosecution and litigation, prepare, track, and follow up on sensitive and complex legal documents, and maintain and update legal information and technical records.
• Provide litigation support for attorneys during trials, hearings, and client meetings, attend trials and provide assistance and information as needed, and keep attorney apprised of deadlines and compliance issues.
• Evaluate case files and research missing and incomplete information and documents and manage collection and analysis of evidence.
• Organize complex case files with large amounts of information and data.
• Research background information for witnesses in capital trials.
• Actively participate in planning and executing large criminal investigations.
• Engage opposing counsel, court personnel, and other government officials to assist in preparing all necessary documents for attorney's court appearances.
• Create and manage criminal and civil case files, research files and computer databases, update files, computer records, and tracking systems, check local and state databases, and collect and distribute related information.
• Review case status with attorneys, compose and create memoranda and legal documents, prepare and edit confidential and sensitive legal documents, and maintain confidentiality.
• Process criminal reports, file legal papers with courts, and process court papers according to court procedures and attorney instructions.
• Schedule interviews, trials, hearings, meetings, and attorney's calendar and notify witnesses as needed.
• Receive and send information to and from other agencies and jurisdictions.
• Provide information and assistance within the scope of designated authority.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Five (5) years of paralegal experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may substitute for the minimum requirements.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid Arizona State Driver’s License.
• Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies or completion of a Paralegal Educational program approved by the American Bar Association or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of PCAO policies, procedures, organization, and operations.
• Knowledge of applicable State of Arizona statutes, Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) policies and procedures, Federal rules and requirements, and specialized court software applications.
• Knowledge of operations, functions, procedures, rules, and policies of Pinal County Courts and Arizona Superior Court.
• Knowledge of principles and protocols for the management of official documents and court records.
• Knowledge of legal system and law enforcement agency procedures and terminology.
• Knowledge of principles of record keeping, case files, and records management.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing the release of information from court records.
• Skill in coordinating and performing a variety of skilled paralegal technical support functions.
• Skill in reading legal documents and extracting relevant information.
• Skill in drafting, preparing, filing, and distributing various types of legal documents.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Ability to create accurate reports, technical documents, and legal correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and generate reports.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with people seeking information about PCAO functions and activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and local agencies.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Demands

The work is sedentary and requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. The work also requires the ability to finger, reach, perform repetitive motion, lift, kneel, pull, push, hear, speak, stand, stoop, and demonstrate mental and visual acuity.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the ability to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.