PARALEGAL

Fresno County; California; On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Fresno invites applications for the position of Paralegal in the Fresno County Public Defender's Office. Incumbents assist attorneys with criminal and civil cases, interview witnesses and clients, and prepare subpoenas, pleadings, and other legal documents.

Multiple education paths are described, including ABA‑approved paralegal programs and degrees. The role is an extra‑help, hourly position with possible transition to permanent status per Personnel Rules.

Qualifications

• Certificate or degree from an ABA‑approved paralegal program or higher education as listed.
• One year of legal experience may be required or preferred depending on option.
• Continuing legal education may be required to maintain competency.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in preparing criminal and civil cases and client advice.
• Interview witnesses, experts, clients and defendants; summarize reports and discovery.
• Prepare subpoenas, writs, complaints, answers and related legal documents.
• Organize and manage specialized legal documents and materials.
• Support attorneys with research and drafting under supervision.

Skills

Legal research

Interviewing witnesses

Education

ABA‑approved paralegal program certificate

Paralegal program certificate with 24 law units

Bachelor's degree acceptable in US system

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The County of Fresno invites applications for the position of Paralegal. Incumbents assist attorneys in the preparation of criminal and civil cases and advice for clients in civil and complex transactional matters. Responsibilities include interviewing witnesses, experts, clients, and defendants; researching less complicated legal issues; summarizing police reports, depositions, interrogatories, and other case related discovery; preparing subpoenas, writs, complaints, answers, declarations, responsive pleadings, points and authorities, and related legal documents; and preparing, organizing, and managing specialized legal documents.

The current vacancy exists within the Fresno County Public Defender's Office as an extra-help position. However, the eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill both extra-help and permanently allocated positions in this department, as well as other departments as vacancies occur.

Temporary (extra-help) employees are paid an hourly rate for actual hours worked, are not entitled to benefits, do not obtain permanent status, and serve at the will of the department head. Although the current vacancies are extra-help, the eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill permanent positions. Individuals selected for extra-help appointment may be transitioned to a permanently allocated position at a later date as authorized by the Fresno County Personnel Rules.

Fresno County is working together for a quality of life for all. Our mission is to provide excellent public services to our diverse community.

Please click here to review the Samples of Duties. Please click here to review the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

OPTION 1

Education: Certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.

OPTION 2

Education: Certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or possession of a degree from, a postsecondary institution with at least twenty-four (24) semester units of law related coursework that is acceptable within the United States’ accredited college or university system or the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

OPTION 3

Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree that is acceptable within the United States' accredited college or university system.

Experience

One (1) year of full-time, paid law related experience which was under the supervision of an attorney who was an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts for at least the three preceding years and a written declaration from this attorney is provided stating the applicant is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.

OPTION 4

Education: Graduation from high school or successful completion of a General Education Development (GED) test indicating high school graduation equivalency.

Experience: Three (3) years of full-time, paid law related experience which was under the supervision of an attorney who was an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts for at least the three preceding years and a written declaration from this attorney is provided stating the applicant is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. This experience and training must have been completed by December 31, 2003.

Additional Qualifications

Other: Incumbents of the Paralegal classification must keep current by completing mandatory continuing legal education as defined in California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 (d).

As a condition of employment, selected candidates may be required to obtain and maintain security clearance to access Fresno County detention facilities.

As a condition of employment, some departments may require candidates to undergo and pass a thorough and detailed personal background investigation. These investigations include employment/credit histories, verification of education, arrest/criminal records, drug/alcohol use, and personal conduct. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive; other relevant areas may be investigated and verified.

Selection Process

Pursuant to Fresno County Personnel Rule 4 - Selection Process, applicants may be required to complete an examination process and successful candidates will be placed on an employment list effective for a minimum of 3 months and certified in final rank order as vacancies occur.

• Tentative Exam Dates: November 19-20, 2026
• Tentative Interview Dates: December 9, 2026
• Additional interviews, including those with other departments, will be scheduled as needed.

• The eligible list for this recruitment may be extended up to 12 months, and may be used to fill both extra-help and permanently allocated positions.
• Individuals selected for extra-help appointment may be transitioned to a permanently allocated position at a later date as authorized by the Fresno County Personnel Rules.

Reasonable Accommodations

Positions in this classification are in Medical Group I - Light Physical Activity (Personnel Rule 8). This group includes positions which require only light physical effort and may include lifting of small, light objects and some bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching. Considerable walking or standing may be involved.

The County of Fresno is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, examination, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [phone] at least five days prior to the scheduled date or deadline.

Eligible candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The County of Fresno is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Fresno County to provide employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, or denial of medical family care leave, or any other non-job-related factor.

Analyst: Lucila Garcia