Paralegal - Public Defense Services

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Apply locations Pima County time type Full time posted on Posted 3 Days Ago job requisition

Department - Public Defense Services

THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO ESTABLISH A REGISTER for current and future PARALEGAL vacancies which serve all levels/assignments of Paralegal in the offices of the Pima County Public Defense Services Department (Legal Advocate;
Legal Defender; Mental Health Defender; Office of Children's Counsel; Public Defender, Public Fiduciary).

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5700 - Paralegal

Salary Grade: 8

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $22.16 - $26.04 Per Hour

Full Range: $22.16 - $29.92 Per Hour

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification.

This position provides essential support to legal operations within a public service or governmental organization. Responsibilities include conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, managing case files, and assisting in case preparation under the supervision of attorneys. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment while upholding ethical standards and maintaining confidentiality.

Pima County Public Defense Services represents indigent individuals upon appointment by the Court in felony cases, misdemeanor cases, juvenile delinquency matters, dependency and severance proceedings, Title 36 proceedings, guardianship cases, and appeals in Pima County. Paralegals work collaboratively with attorneys to provide direct client representation and handle diverse caseloads of various offenses, allegations, and degrees of seriousness.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Manages caseload involving specialized areas of law (criminal and civil) and recommends appropriate legal action;
• Compiles, coordinates and analyzes case information throughout all phases of case administration and initiates appropriate action to start legal proceedings;
• Plans, develops and organizes all phases of work, prioritizes sequences of work, monitors progress and follows-up to completion;
• Researches and conducts investigations of credit histories, locating financial data and place of residence using automated data systems and restricted access sources;
• Conducts legal research through the use of computerized legal research (Lexis and Westlaw) or statutes, U.S. Constitution, legal periodicals, law reviews, digests, legal encyclopedias, codes, regional and federal reporters, slip opinions and various case law;
• Updates or shepardizes case law to distinguish and analogize the case to the fact situation at hand;
• Identifies applicable statutes or rules that are in force and effect for the particular matter;
• Drafts routine and complex legal documents, motions, interrogatories, arguments, briefs, opinions, petitions, changes of plea, contracts and ordinances;
• Responds to motions, discovery requests, interrogatories, petitions, plea agreements, writs and orders;
• Coordinates between the assigned department and other governmental agencies to include out of state jurisdictions;
• Acts as liaison for attorney to the courts, law enforcement agencies, other county departments, clients and the public;
• Prepares memos and letters regarding attorney client privilege and confidential matters;
• Upholds confidentiality and adheres to ethical standards in all tasks;
• Provides administrative support to attorneys and legal staff as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate’s degree in paralegal, legal assistant, law, business, legal secretary, criminal justice, political science, interdisciplinary studies, regional…