Paralegal (FT) - Administration

City of Brooklyn Park; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Brooklyn Park is seeking an experienced Paralegal to support the Associate Prosecuting Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney. This role provides legal and administrative services, interacts with the Brooklyn Park Police Department and other stakeholders, and emphasizes equitable justice within a diverse community.

Responsibilities include assisting with case prosecution, drafting and responding to motions, handling discovery, preparing subpoenas, and coordinating court calendar

Qualifications

• Associate degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, criminal justice, political science or closely related field.
• Three (3) years of executive-level administrative experience in a legal, law enforcement, court or probation environment.
• Data Practice training and Security & Privacy Training within 3 months of hire.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• assists attorneys with case prosecution by collecting, organizing, analyzing and evaluating information and evidence; summarize and assemble facts, records, pleadings, exhibits, and witnesses for hearings and trials.
• Draft formal complaints, perform research, draft motions, respond to motions and orders, and respond to continuance requests from defendants and defense attorneys.
• Respond to discovery requests from public defenders and private attorneys; manage data requests per state guidelines.
• Take oral and written statements; gather and organize information to support case preparation and prosecution.
• Assemble, format, and eFile attorney-prepared legal documents including motions, memoranda, ERPOs, affidavits, and dismissals.
• Coordinate with court personnel to place actions on court calendar; notify parties and arrange subpoenas; draft subpoenas with staff.

Skills

Writing & research

MS Office

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Diversity & inclusion

Time management

Education

Associate degree in paralegal studies or related field

Tools

Data Practice training

Security & Privacy Training

Job description

Position Summary

The City of Brooklyn Park is seeking an experienced Paralegal to work under the guidance and direction of the Associate Prosecuting Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney. This position provides a wide variety of legal and administrative services for attorneys and requires an extensive understanding and application of law and related procedures. A commitment to equitable justice is essential in this position as the City of Brooklyn Park is one of the most diverse communities in the state. You will be tasked with building and maintaining strong, trust-based partnerships with the Brooklyn Park Police Department, investigators, and key municipal stakeholders to ensure a fair and just community.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Assists attorneys with case prosecution by collecting, organizing, analyzing and evaluating relevant information and evidence, and by summarizing and assembling facts, records, pleadings, exhibits, and witnesses to prepare cases for motion hearings and trials.
• Assists with drafting formal complaints, performs necessary research, drafts motions, responds to motions and orders, and responds to and monitors continuance requests/motions from defendants and defense attorneys.
• Responds to discovery requests from public defenders and private attorneys. Manages data requests per state guidelines.
• Takes oral and written statements and assists with gathering and organizing information needed to support case preparation and prosecution.
• Assembles, formats, and eFiles attorney-prepared legal documents, including motions, memoranda, ERPOs, affidavits, and dismissals.
• Handles routine legal research and drafts routine legal memoranda. Compiles data and performs research of legal nature in the preparation of reports.
• Coordinates with court personnel to arrange to have actions placed on the court calendar. Notifies parties and arranges for subpoenas to be served. Draft and coordinate subpoenas with identified staff for officers and civilian witnesses.
• Provides crime victim and witness assistance. Assist with restitution documents, take statements and update regarding court proceedings. Send restitution letters and/or victim rights form.
• Organizes internal files, ensuring cases have met conditions and close case files.
• Attends court proceedings as needed to support prosecution team.
• Serves as the front-facing representative for the office in all interactions with the court, law enforcement, and the public.
• Coordinates the day-to-day administrative operations of the office, helping ensure efficient workflows, organized systems, and consistent support for the prosecution team. Maintains office procedures and resources, coordinates supplies and equipment, assists with records and information management, and identifies opportunities to improve office organization and operational processes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum And Desired Qualifications

Education

Associate degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, criminal justice, political science or closely related field.

Experience

Three (3) years of executive-level administrative experience in a legal, law enforcement, court or probation environment.

Licenses/Certifications

Data Practice training and Security & Privacy Training within 3 months of hire.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Writing and research skills and abilities.
• Ability to relate to and work with individuals representing a variety of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with internal and external customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software programs and applications. Ability to use the Criminal History system and several software programs.
• Ability to analyze problems, utilize resources; identify solutions; develop and implement recommendations/proposals.
• Ability to interact, develop and maintain positive and professional working relationships at all organizational levels, internally, and externally.
• Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.
• Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both in verbal and written formats.
• Ability to prioritize multiple work tasks and manage multiple cases simultaneously.
• Represent the city professionally and positively.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
• Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.
• Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience practicing specifically within a municipal government framework, including a strong understanding of city ordinances and the local legislative process.
• Proficiency with standard prosecutors' case management systems.
• Knowledge of Minnesota data practice laws.
• Experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Continuous learning in racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility space.
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao or Vietnamese language(s).

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully and safely perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to fully and safely perform the essential duties.

• Core business hours are set by departments based on operational needs. Alternative schedules can be arranged, but must comply with the City’s Alternative Work Arrangement policy.
• Full-time, non-exempt, non-union position subject to a flexible schedule that includes a standard eight (8)-hour work day; will include varied hours, generally Monday through Friday and will require work on some select holidays.
• Office environment; exposure to computer screens; working closely with others, frequent interruptions.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and operate office and presentation equipment for extended periods; to communicate and speak clearly in person, in writing, and through digital channels.
• Use fine motor skills to write, operate a computer and review written materials and files.
• Highly skilled in defusing volatile situations and managing challenging interpersonal dynamics.
• Maintains exceptional professionalism, patience, and poise in high-stress situations.

Brooklyn Park

is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. Sixty-four percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.

Our Vision, Values, and Goals

We welcome applications from all individuals, including (but not limited to): people of all abilities, persons of color, Veterans, LGBTQ+ and women.

Regular, full-time City of Brooklyn Park employees (40 or more hours per week) are eligible for a benefits package including:

Vacation

• New employees generally earn 10 days of vacation per year
• Vacation accruals increase with longevity up to a maximum of 20 days per year

Sick Leave

• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation

Holidays

• 12 paid holidays per year
• 1 floating holiday to be used any day in the year with supervisor approval

Health Insurance

• Employees may choose a health plan with an option to waive coverage if covered under another qualified plan
• The City contributes a portion to the cost of health insurance
• Available to City of Brooklyn Park employees working 30 or more hours per week

Dental Insurance

• Employees may choose between two dental plans with an option to waive coverage if covered under another qualified plan

Life Insurance

• The City provides term life insurance with an option for employees to purchase additional and dependent term life insurance at group rates

Disability Insurance

• Short-term disability insurance available at group rates
• Long-term disability insurance available at group rates

Retirement

• Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) pension plan (employer/employee contributions)
• Optional 457 pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) deferred compensation plans for tax-deferred retirement savings

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Reimbursement account for health care and daycare expenses using pre-tax contributions

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services

Fitness

• Free on-site fitness facilities; Wellness program and fitness classes offered

Direct Deposit (mandatory)

• Payroll checks are automatically deposited into designated account(s) on payday

Regular, part-time benefited City of Brooklyn Park employees (20-29 hours per week) are not eligible for Health Insurance, but are eligible for the following benefits:

• Sick and Vacation at a pro-rated rate
• Decreasing Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account(s)
• Deferred Compensation, if enrolled.

Seasonal/Temporary employees

• Temporary, Seasonal, and non-benefited part-time employees earn one hour of Sick Leave for every 30 hours worked by an employee, up to a maximum of 48 hours of Sick Leave per year.

Benefits may differ based on union contracts for employees represented by a collective bargaining unit. This summary is for information only and is subject to change or revocation without notice. This summary shall not constitute a contract or guarantee, express or implied.