Legal Assistant III

County of Madera; Madera (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Madera is seeking a Paralegal to support attorneys with research, drafting, and litigation support. The role involves analyzing statutes, preparing drafts of varied legal documents, and coordinating with multiple county departments for high‑level assignments.

Candidates should possess coursework or training in paralegal studies, and have experience using legal research databases. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential for success in a busy legal office.

Qualifications

• Completion of paralegal, legal secretarial, legal office practices or other law related coursework.
• Two years of experience conducting legal research and preparing legal documents for gov't or private law firm.

Responsibilities

• Conducts complex legal research and prepares drafts of legal documents for attorney review.
• Analyzes statutes and case law to provide guidance.
• Researches facts from other departments and agencies for high‑level assignments.
• Prepares and reviews drafts of opinions, ordinances, contracts, pleadings for attorney review.
• Prepares materials for pretrial preparation and maintains files.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting legal documents

Liaison with attorneys

Oral and written communication

Administrative supervision

Education

Paralegal coursework or legal office training

Tools

Lexis/Westlaw

Electronic case management systems

Job description

** Paralegals encouraged to apply**

Under general direction, to perform a wide variety of responsible legal support services for the staff in the office of assignment to include legal research, drafting legal documents, litigation support, electronic legal processing, department-client and public contact; and performs related duties as required.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision. May provide lead technical and functional supervision to lower-level staff.

Examples of Duties

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Conducts complex legal research and prepares comprehensive drafts of legal documents and memoranda for attorney review and approval.
• Analyzes statutes, court decisions and other legal authorities to provide guidance and recommendations.
• Researches necessary facts and background information from other county departments, other agencies and the public, for high-level legal assignments.
• Prepares and reviews drafts of various legal documents, including but not limited to, opinions, ordinances, resolutions, leases, contracts, contract amendments and pleadings for attorney review and approval.
• Prepares documents and performs tasks necessary for pretrial preparation; organizes and maintains files and materials.
• Prepares detailed reports, operates in and navigates through electronic computer systems or web-based search engines to conduct advanced legal research.
• Maintains and organizes files of opinions and memoranda written by staff.
• Reviews contracts for compliance with statutes, court decisions and other legal authorities.
• Assists attorneys with routine and complex legal research and provides support in ligation-related matters.
• Reviews and refines work methods and procedures and contributes to the development of procedural guidelines and training manuals.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Legal documents and a full understanding of their use.
• Advanced legal practices and procedures of office of assignment.
• Methods and procedures for directing the work assignments of other staff.
• Staff development and training.
• Filing procedures and legal terminology.
• Principles and practices of the law pertaining to the office of assignment.
• Advanced methods of legal and factual research.
• Discovery techniques.
• Drafting legal memoranda.
• Use of legal research computer and web-based systems.
• General legal office practices and procedures.

Skill to:

• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
• Type at a rate necessary for successful job performance.

Ability to:

• Conduct complex legal research.
• Perform specialized legal work assignments.
• Interpret legislative codes, court rulings and case law.
• Draft the more complex legal instruments, resolutions, memoranda, pleadings and contracts.
• Provide work direction to other staff.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, coworkers and others.
• Handle a large and varied assignment to meet fixed or fluctuating deadlines and to achieve work objectives.
• Coordinate document processing.
• Arrange support services for attorneys.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve complex problems.

Qualifications

Any combination training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education

• Completion of paralegal, legal secretarial, legal office practices or other law related course work.

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience conducting legal research and preparing a variety of legal documents for a governmental entity or a private law firm that included the use of computerized or web-based legal resource systems such as Lexis or Westlaw.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles may be required.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office and court setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Conditions

Employees work in an office and court environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The Appraisal Panel (100%) is tentatively scheduled

THE APPRAISAL PANEL (100%) IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2026

Placement on the Eligible List

The Civil Service Commission may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the examination process. If two or more candidates have the same total final score on an examination, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in that portion of the examination which has the greatest weight. The names of two or more eligibles having final ratings which are identical shall be grouped on the eligible list as tie names with equal rank for certification and appointment purposes. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the examination process will be placed on an eligible list, in rank order based on a calculation of their total score from the examination process. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of six (6) months or one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to section 6-4 (b) and may be extended for up to an additional year by the Commission.

Pre-Employment Medical Requirements

As a condition of employment with the County of Madera, a candidate must submit to a Tuberculosis (TB) screening, and related follow up testing as necessary. Designated classifications* are also subject to a medical examination, which includes a review of medical history. TB screenings and medical exams are administered by the Madera County Public Health Department and/or health care professional designated by the County.

Eligibility for Employment

You will be required to submit verification of your identity and citizenship or legal right to work in the United States at the time of and as a condition of an offer of employment.

As a condition of employment, all prospective employees shall be required to be fingerprinted (Live Scan) and/or undergo a background investigation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Madera County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, political affiliation, or any other basis protected by Federal or State law.