Okaloosa County BOCC — July 2, 2013 — Paralegal DRAFT — reading text

OKALOOSA COUNTY CLASS DESCRIPTION, 2013 JOB TITLE: PARALEGAL LEGAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORTS TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB Performs a wide variety of complex and confidential, technical and legal administrative paraprofessional duties. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Conducts thorough legal research relating to complex problems and projects and analyzes a variety of issues as requested by assigned legal staff, using all research tools available, including online resources. Drafts for attorney review and signature both simple and complex legal and general office documents such as memoranda of law, legal opinions, motions, orders, briefs and other legal pleadings, as well as correspondence, agenda requests, resolutions, ordinances and forms. Reviews documents for form and completeness, including proofreading and cite checking. Transcribes and types from electronic dictation, handwritten notes and verbal instructions. Prepares case files and maintains docket sheets on pending litigation. Prepares and completes legal notices, acknowledgments, basic legal forms and documents. Establishes and maintains a document management system (i.e., fully indexed and cross-referenced bank of briefs, memoranda, and other research documents previously produced by the office). Files documents within established office filing system. Prepares graphic aides, tables, slides and other audio/visual devices for presentations. Schedules appointments and hearing dates and maintains daily calendar for assigned legal staff. Assists attorneys as requested with litigation preparation, including, but not limited to, providing information on trials, drafting pleadings, formulating legal strategy, coordinating witnesses and exhibits, and other matters within the County Attorney’s purview. Performs routine clerical duties such as providing information to callers, composing and typing routine correspondence, and reading and routing incoming mail. Attends meetings and trials as needed. Must be able to meet work schedule and attendance standards. Performs related duties as required. MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Associate’s degree in Paralegal studies or closely related field or two-year technical certificate in paralegal or legal studies, supplemented by two (2) years of experience as a legal secretary, law clerk or paralegal, preferably for a state or local government; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities. Certification as a paralegal through the National Association of Legal Assistants, The Florida Bar, or another recognized organization is preferred. Requires strong analytical, organizational, interview, verbal and written communication skills with excellent attention to detail. Requires a minimum typing speed of 35 words per minute. Must be computer literate. Experience with Microsoft Word is required. Experience using Lexis Nexis, Westlaw and other electronic research sources is preferred. Must have a valid driver license.  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer, office equipment, telephone, facsimile, and copier. Must be able to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, or 10 to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Subject to possible bodily injury from irate clients and/or citizens. Physical demands are essentially those of sedentary work. Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of legal documentation, materials and equipment acquisitions, research compiled and equipment utilized. Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information; includes issuing and receiving assignments, instructions and/or directions. Requires the ability to tactfully and effectively interact with the public and with co-workers. Language Ability: Requires ability to read Standard English, as well as technical data, policy and procedure manuals, codes, etc., ranging from moderately complex to highly technical legal terminology. Requires the ability to prepare forms and reports using prescribed formats and adhering to all rules of spelling, grammar, punctuation, diction and style. Requires the ability to communicate effectively in Standard English. Requires the ability to communicate with a broad array of individuals from various professional and socioeconomic backgrounds. Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical and scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret a variety of instructions in written and oral form; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to issue and follow verbal and written instructions. Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, use decimals and calculate percentages; compute discount, profit and loss, ratio and proportion; interpret graphs. Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape; identify degrees of similarity in form; and visually read various information. Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery and equipment. Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color. Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with frequent deadlines or peak workloads. Avoids violent behavior and any other type of behavior that could threaten the safety of other employees or the public. Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to hear and understand communications through telephone and radio.