Paralegal

City of Gastonia; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Gastonia seeks a capable paralegal to assist City attorneys with the city’s legal affairs and related administrative duties. You will work under supervision of the City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney, drafting documents and supporting litigation and code enforcement tasks.

You will manage calendars, perform title searches, and handle public records requests in a collaborative office environment. Strong NC paralegal education and municipal experience are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a North Carolina Qualified Paralegal Studies Program, with an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies or equivalent experience.
• Moderate experience as a paralegal in municipal or local government environment preferred.
• Substantial experience in advanced level PC applications (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Preference for experience with modern AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Drafts a variety of legal documents, including ordinances, resolutions, pleadings, notices, ads, and draft contracts.
• Prepares District Court Civil Actions to collect monies owed to City and enforces Housing, Nuisance, and Zoning Codes; assists with litigation.
• Schedules and maintains calendars; tracks deadlines, appointments, and meetings.
• Files pleadings, lis pendens, liens, ordinances, variances, and zoning documents.
• Performs real estate title searches and prepares title opinions, deeds, and closing documents; attends closings.
• Routes requests to annex City real property and prepare agenda items for Council action.
• Assists staff with questions on State statutes, ordinances, and code enforcement.
• Performs special research projects and prepares memoranda.
• Maintains real estate, title, and litigation files; handles Public Records Requests.

Skills

Legal procedures

Public records research

Municipal law

Written communication

Title research

Education

North Carolina Qualified Paralegal Studies Program

Associate degree in paralegal studies

Municipal/local government experience

Board of Paralegal Certification

Notary Public Commission (NC)

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

General Definition of Work

Performs responsible professional work in assisting the City’s attorneys with handling the legal affairs of the City; performs related administrative work as required. Work is performed under the general supervision of the City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney.

Essential Functions/Duties

• Drafts a variety of legal documents, including ordinances, resolutions, pleadings, legal notices, advertisements, and draft contracts
• Prepares District Court Civil Actions to collect monies owed to City, to enforce Housing Code, Nuisance Code, and Zoning Code as directed, to conduct condemnation proceedings, and provides litigation assistance as needed
• Performs scheduling and maintains calendars, monitors and provides notification of deadlines, appointments and meetings
• Files or records pleadings, lis pendens, liens, ordinances, variances, and conditional zoning documents as required
• Performs real estate title searches and prepares title opinions, deeds, easements, closing documents and attends closings as supervised by City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney
• Routes requests to annex City real property and to un-dedicate streets, alleys and easements and then prepares appropriate agenda item for Council action, if any
• Assists City staff with questions regarding State statutes, City ordinances, city policies and code enforcement procedures
• Performs special research projects and prepares corresponding memoranda as required
• Assists the City Clerk and Deputy City Clerks as needed with receiving telephone calls and personal callers for the Executive Administration
• Maintains real estate files, title files, litigation files, and other records as instructed by attorney staff
• Processes Public Records Requests as needed; and
• Performs related tasks as required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of legal practices and procedures, including judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings; ability to perform all aspects of public records research to analyze, interpret and apply research performed and to formulate recommendations as required; working knowledge of municipal law and City organization, functions and procedures; comprehensive knowledge of legal terminology; ability to interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations; ability to organize and perform tasks independently; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, the public and other members of the legal community; ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, comprehensive knowledge of North Carolina real estate law; ability to perform and organize work independently; ability to independently conduct title research and prepare summaries based thereon; and ability to prepare effective correspondence on routine matters and to perform routine office management details without referral to supervisor.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from a North Carolina Qualified Paralegal Studies Program by the North Carolina State Bar, with an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Moderate experience as a paralegal, municipal or local government environment preferred. Substantial experience in advanced level PC applications (Word, Excel, Power Point). Preference for experience with modern AI tools as well.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

Interactive office environment with exposure to computer screens; must be able to interact with other divisions and departments inside the City organization; as well as with outside clientele. Must have the ability to push, pull, or lift up to 25 lbs. occasionally.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid driver’s license. Possession of Commission as a Notary Public in the State of North Carolina within 6 months. Board of Paralegal Certification. Drug screening and criminal background checks required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OUR MISSION: To provide fair, competent, responsive, and cost-effective services at the highest level.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/H