Bar : Paralegal III - Conversion to Attorney ; Public Defender​/Legal Advocate

BAR CANDIDATE: PARALEGAL III - ATTORNEY I (PUBLIC DEFENDER/LEGAL ADVOCATE) CLASSIFIED:
Position is subject to the provisions of the Merit System Rules pursuant to Arizona Law

Position is open until filled with applications reviewed upon receipt and may close at any time.

ANTICIPATED RATE OF PAY: $63,398 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package to include membership in the Arizona State Retirement System.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Within 12 months of appointment, must be admitted to practice law in Arizona and obtain a Bar Letter of Good Standing.

PLEASE NOTE:

This position requires a post offer, pre-employment background screening.

Cochise County, a quality location to work, live and enjoy life! Learn more here:

Under direct supervision, performs paraprofessional legal work of considerable difficulty; trains with supervisory attorney learning entry level attorney functions; performs related duties as assigned. As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 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.

• Assists attorneys with researching legal questions; prepares drafts of motions and pleadings; conducts interviews and investigations; participates in trial and pre‑trial strategy; acts in a liaison capacity; prepares discovery requests and answers; coordinates educational activities.

Law Degree from an accredited ABA school with the ability/intent to sit for the next available Arizona Bar Exam following hire; as a condition of employment, must successfully pass the Arizona Bar Exam and receive license to practice law within 12 months from date of hire; must possess and maintain a valid Arizona driver's license and the ability to be covered by county insurance.

An equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be considered.

• state, civil, and criminal law, and methods of legal research;
• legal terminology;
• the rules of evidence;
• principles, methods, materials, references and practices of legal research.

• modern office practices and procedures;
• business English, spelling, punctuation, and grammatical usage.

• analyzing and interpreting legal documents;
• interpreting statutory and regulatory requirements;
• preparing summaries of legal opinions from previous cases;
• determining alternative courses of action;
• presenting arguments appropriate for court;
• handling multiple unanticipated problems simultaneously.

• data collection;
• the use of word/data processing systems;
• operating standard office machines;
• organizing and managing case files.

• plan work and work independently;
• establish and maintain an effective working relationship with employees, other agencies and the public;
• prepare and maintain accurate records;
• follow written and verbal instruction;
• read, write and speak English;
• communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Work is primarily performed under direct supervision of an attorney or supervisor. Incumbent generally performs work in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls.

Essential functions of this position require lifting, manual dexterity, and ability to communicate.

Sedentary Work:
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body; involves sitting majority of time; walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Mental Application:
Utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, critical thinking, adaptability and creative problem‑solving skills are important.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for those that are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Cochise County is an Equal Opportunity Employer