Associate Paralegal - DHS

El Paso County, Colorado; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

El Paso County Attorney’s Office – Department of Human Services Division seeks an entry-level paralegal to support attorneys in a broad range of tasks in Colorado Springs. You will provide administrative and research support, draft routine legal documents, interview clients and witnesses, and assist with trial preparation.

The role requires initiative, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work well with a team. In-person presence is essential; typical schedule is Mon–Fri, 8:00am–5:00pm.

Qualifications

• Understanding of legal language and principles, research methods, court pleadings and processes.
• Knowledge of legal terminology; court rules and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; customer service.
• Proficiency with databases and software; MS Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Meets with attorneys, clients, and professionals to discuss cases; keep attorneys updated on caseload.
• Drafts routine legal documents: memos, pleadings, motions, affidavits, contracts; reviews and files documents.
• Conducts routine legal research and provides written analysis to attorneys.
• Organizes and retrieves case files, including evidence, pleadings, and exhibits.
• Assists with electronic filing in court; may help with non-electronic filings.
• Supports prosecution/litigation: case review, pleadings, trial prep, document management.
• Responds to inquiries from employees, court staff, the public; routes matters.
• Provides administrative support; may serve as notary.
• Performs other duties as required.

Skills

Legal research

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Org skills

Notetaking and drafting

Client interaction

Confidentiality

Team player

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Paralegal certificate or degree

Two years legal experience may substitute for education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

VISION

El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.

PURPOSE

We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.

VALUES

Service Focused Collaborative Accountable Trustworthy Transparent

Job Summary

Do you have a calling to act as a public servant and make a direct impact in the community? Do you have a strong work ethic and communication skills? Come join the El Paso County Attorney’s Office Department of Human Services Division team. The El Paso County Attorney’s Office is located in beautiful Colorado Springs. We are committed to our community and its constituents. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in a wide array of practice areas as the work involves legal support and litigation for the Department of Human Services. The right candidate must take initiative, be legal-minded, relentlessly detail-oriented and a team player. Come join our dynamic team and start making a difference. APPLY TODAY!!!

Hiring Range: $52,000.00 - $56,000.00 Annually

This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm; subject to change.

Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

This entry-level position provides paralegal assistance to attorneys to support the legal efforts of the office. Provides administrative and research support services, including document preparation and review; interviewing clients and witnesses; research, investigations, and fact-checking; and trial preparation. This position may be part of the Paralegal career progression series, which includes Associate Paralegal, Paralegal, and Senior Paralegal. An employee is eligible to advance to the next position within the series when the employee has met the criteria for advancement as notated within the job description and has received a recommendation from the Hiring Authority. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Meets with attorneys, clients, and other professionals to discuss assigned cases or projects. Stays in close communication with attorneys and legal staff regarding assigned caseload.
• Drafts routine legal documents, such as memoranda, legal pleadings, motions, affidavits, general correspondence, contracts, regulations, bylaws, and ordinances. May assist with coordination and review of documents; files applicable legal documents in accordance with established judicial and office policies and procedures.
• Conducts routine legal research on a wide variety of subject matter areas, such as statutes, regulations, legal articles, judicial decisions, and other sources. Provides written analysis to attorneys when appropriate.
• Prepares, organizes, stores, and retrieves case files, which may include evidence, exhibits, depositions, pleadings, exhibits, and other items.
• Processes electronic filing of documents in State and Federal court as directed; assists with any non-electronic filing as necessary.
• Assists with all stages of prosecution or litigation matters as directed, such as case review, drafting pleadings, trial/hearing preparation, legal processes, file management, document production, and assisting at court trials and hearings.
• Responds to correspondence, telephone, and walk-in inquiries from employees, court staff, attorneys, and members of the public. Determines needs and routes matters for handling, answers questions, and provides information as appropriate regarding cases, policies, office procedures, and services.
• Provides administrative support as needed; may serve as a notary public.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised: This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of legal language and principles, research methods, court pleadings and processes, and other related matters.
• Knowledge of legal terminology. Knowledge of court rules and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and attention to detail. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Strong proficiency in databases and software applications, such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel).
• Ability to draft legal pleadings and correspondence. Ability to write clearly and concisely with regard to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, work independently, and to exercise sound and professional judgment.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively verbally and in writing with County staff, Elected Officials, co-workers, and the public.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including copiers, computers, telephone, and fax machines.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Paralegal certificate or degree.
  • Two years of legal experience may substitute for the required education.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Experience in a legal environment, providing direct support to attorneys.
• Experience in a local government legal environment, such as a District Attorney’s Office or County Attorney’s Office.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post-offer background investigation and drug screen.

Work Conditions

Duties are performed in an office or courtroom environment. Hybrid remote work environment dependent upon Department discretion and business needs. The classification specification above is intended to describe the general nature of work, key responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline experience required for the classification. Departments may establish additional or preferred qualifications to address operational needs, assignment complexity, and specialized functions, provided such qualifications are job-related, consistent with the intent of the classification, and as approved by the Human Resources department. Specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and working conditions may vary based on the needs of the department or office and the requirements of the assigned position. Changes to this classification specification may only be made by the Human Resources Department.

El Paso County is an E-Verify and Equal Opportunity Employer.

El Paso County adheres to Federal drug screening guidelines and requires a pre-employment drug screen.