Paralegal

City of Baytown; Baytown (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Baytown’s Legal Department seeks a Paralegal to support litigation in criminal and civil matters, conduct legal research, draft pleadings, motions, and orders, and prepare evidence and related documents for attorneys.

Open to candidates with prior paraprofessional paralegal experience in Texas, strong proofreading, and the ability to read municipal charters, policies, statutes; CJIS qualification required.

Qualifications

• Two years experience in a paraprofessional Paralegal role in Texas (completion of a Paralegal program or a Bachelor's Degree may substitute for this requirement).
• Exceptional proofreading and formatting skills with superior knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Ability to read and comprehend municipal charter documents, personnel policies, statutes and rules associated with city government.

Responsibilities

• Open, organize, archive, track, and close matter files; manage and organize all project-related information.
• Prepare administrative, pre-trial, trial, and other relevant litigation documents for attorneys; maintain calendaring for court dates.

Job description

Join the City of Baytown's Legal Department as a Paralegal, where authenticity and hard work are at the heart of everything we do. We're looking for someone who shares our dedication to excellence and community spirit. As a paralegal here, you'll find a place that values your contributions and offers a true sense of belonging in a diverse, culture-rich environment. Be part of a team that embodies integrity and hospitality, where your skills will be put to meaningful use in serving our vibrant community.

The Paralegal position is responsible for assisting the City’s attorneys with emphasis on litigation support (criminal and civil), conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, motions, orders, preparing evidence, and other litigation related documents, and performing other general paralegal duties to support the day-to-day activities related to the department, which includes municipal court prosecution, substandard buildings docket, civil service, administrative hearings, labor negotiations, and general counsel services. This position requires knowledge of legal procedures and terminology and proficiency in the use of office equipment and computer software

This position must be eligible for CJIS qualification, including a background and fingerprint check.

• Responsible for assigned case files
  • Open, organize, archive, track, and close matter files
  • Properly process, log and organize all project-related information, including numbering documents, logging access and correlate information obtained.
  • Provide attorneys with all related materials, manage resources necessary to carry out the legal projects assigned.
  • Interact with City departments to ensure accurate and comprehensive information is obtained in all discovery and project-related matters. Manage and monitor the incoming and outgoing documents.
  • Prepare administrative, pre-trial, trial, and other relevant litigation documentation necessary for attorneys.
  • Maintain a calendaring system to track court and hearing dates for litigation involving the City
• Prepare assigned ordinances and resolutions and track items for City Council meetings as well as for meetings of various boards and commissions.
• Handle administrative duties such as faxing, emailing, postage, answering phones, taking accurate telephone messages as necessary, proofreading a variety of legal documents.
• Timely and accurately complete legal research and documents for review, approval, and use by attorneys.
• Perform all other job related duties as assigned.

Required

• Two years experience in a paraprofessional Paralegal role in Texas (completion of a Paralegal program or a Bachelor's Degree may substitute for this requirement).
• Exceptional proofreading and formatting skills with superior knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Ability to read and comprehend municipal charter documents, personnel policies, statutes and rules associated with city government.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education, experience, certification and/or licenses sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred

• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• Proficient with Texas e-file, CM/ECF, and PACERT
• Knowledge of municipal government operations

The person holding this position must be able to exercise good judgment, to meet strict deadlines, to multitask the management of workload and projects, to establish priorities, to give attention to detail in all tasks, to demonstrate high-level of interpersonal skills, to professionally handle sensitive and confidential situations and information, to exercise exceptional organizational skills, and to effectively work with co-workers and the public. Additionally, this position requires that the person possess a strong work ethic, be a self-starter, be able to work with little direction and/or supervision, and be comfortable working independently or as a team player, and be initiative-driven. The position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact, and diplomacy.

Here at the City of Baytown, in recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you bring. We strive to provide a workplace where differences are honored, with a workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.

Overall Position Strength Demands

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects