Paralegal I

Alamance County Government; Burlington (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Alamance County Government seeks a Paralegal I to perform legal research under supervision and assist the Department of Social Services Legal Unit in Burlington, NC. The ideal candidate will have paralegal training or a related degree and one year of substantive paralegal experience, with strong written and oral communication, confidentiality, and sound judgment.

The role operates in a fast-paced environment with access to confidential information and requires reliable time management and

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited paralegal training program and one year of experience as a paralegal.
• Or graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in English, Journalism, or a related field and one year of substantive paralegal experience.
• High school diploma with five years of paralegal experience performing delegated, substantive legal work.

Responsibilities

• Performs legal research in accordance with preliminary instructions as to methods or approach, source material available, and policy and precedent of the office.
• Summarizes facts and evidence and prepare legal instruments.
• Abides office practices and procedures; thorough knowledge and ability to use correct grammar, vocabulary and spelling.
• Gathers and composes a variety of materials from a variety of independent sources.
• Interprets and explains policies, regulations and programs.
• Communicate clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Considerable ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone; considerable ability to plan and coordinate a volume and variety of appointments, meetings, and conferences.
• Exercises judgment and discretion in problem situations independently; ability to answer inquiries independently and coordinate a variety of resources in acquiring information.
• Maintains and meets rigorous time mandates.
• Maintains effective working relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.

Skills

Legal research

Oral communication

Written communication

Accountability

Accuracy

Judgment

Confidentiality

Time management

Teamwork

Education

Paralegal training program

English/Journalism degree related

High school diploma

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Job description

Job Purpose

The Paralegal I, under occasional supervision, performs legal research in accordance with preliminary instructions as to methods or approach, source materials available, policy and precedent of the office. and work assisting the Department of Social Services Legal Unit. The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of case, statutory, and common law with a working knowledge of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.

This position is in a fast paced, effort intensive legal environment. The position requires someone who can work with minimum supervision. There is access to highly confidential information and some subject matter that may be disturbing.

Responsibilities

• Performs legal research in accordance with preliminary instructions as to methods or approach, source material available, and policy and precedent of the office.
• Summarizes facts and evidence and prepare legal instruments.
• Abides office practices and procedures; thorough knowledge and ability to use correct grammar, vocabulary and spelling.
• Gathers and composes a variety of materials from a variety of independent sources.
• Interprets and explains policies, regulations and programs.
• Communicate clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Considerable ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone; considerable ability to plan and coordinate a volume and variety of appointments, meetings, and conferences.
• Exercises judgment and discretion in problem situations independently; ability to answer inquiries independently and coordinate a variety of resources in acquiring information.
• Maintains and meets rigorous time mandates.
• Maintains effective working relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.

Qualifications

Education & Experience: Graduation from an accredited school for paralegal training and one year of experience as a paralegal, or graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in English, Journalism, or a degree directly related to the area assigned and one year of substantive paralegal experience; or graduation from high school and five years of paralegal experience performing delegated, substantive legal work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Computer Skills: Prior computer skills experience with Microsoft Windows.

License/Credentials: Possession of a valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.

Skills & Abilities

COMPETENCY STATEMENTS:

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly
• Adaptable- Ability to frequently adjust to changes
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely
• Confidentiality – Ability to distinguish confidential information and maintain the sensitive nature of the information.
• Honesty - Ability to be truthful, maintain high level of confidentiality and be seen as credible in the workplace
• Integrity – Trustworthiness to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility or pledge
• Judgment – Ability to use good judgment and discretion as it relates to following policies and procedures
• Safety-Minded – Creating a safe work environment; managing risks; reducing exposure liabilities
• Teamwork – Ability to work with others successfully and productively for the common cause and desired end goal.

Physical Demands

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.

O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs./day)

F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs./day)

C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs./day)

Stand F

Walk O

Sit F

Manually Manipulate C

Reach Outward F

Reach Above Shoulder O

Climb O

Crawl N

Squat or Kneel O

Bend O

Talk/Hear C

See C

Taste/Smell O

Lift/Carry

• 10 lbs. or less F
• 11-20 lbs. O
• 21-50 lbs. O
• 51-100 lbs. O
• Over 100 lbs. N

Push/Pull

• 12 lbs. or less F
• 13-25 lbs. O
• 26-40 lbs. O
• 41-100 lbs. O

Other Physical Requirements

• Vision (Near, Distance, Peripheral)

Work Environment

Standard office environment.

Health Insurance

Full-time employees are eligible for medical/health (Cigna Insurance) benefits upon the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.

Alamance County Government currently offers three plans of medical/pharmacy benefit options including 2 Standard PPO plans and a High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA.

Dental Benefit

Alamance County offers one dental insurance (Delta Dental) plan for FT employees at no cost. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment.

Vision Insurance

A voluntary vision program (Superior Vision) is available to FT employees. The current PPO style plan allows employees to seek treatment and hardware from any vision care provider of their choice. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment. Coverage must be elected within your first 30 days of FT employment or upon a qualifying event.

Voluntary Benefits

Alamance County Government provides a variety of voluntary health related benefits (Voya) to allow employees to purchase protection from what life may bring. A sampling of voluntary benefits includes Flexible Spending Accounts with dependent care opportunities, Health Saving Account with an employer contribution, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Cancer Protection Plan, Group Critical Care Insurance and more.

Life Insurance

Basic term life insurance is the amount of one times the annual salary (no greater than $70,000) is provided for all FT employees. Additional coverage is available for purchase through payroll deductions for employee and eligible dependents.

Retirement Benefits

Membership in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System (NCLGERS) is a requirement for all full-time and regular part-time employees (working more than 1,000 hours annually). Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed.

Time Off Accruals

Vacation Time

Annual Leave is accrued based on years of service. Employees can accrue from 10-25 days per year.

Sick Time

All County full time employees earn 12 days of sick leave per year.

County Observed Holidays

Alamance County will observe the State of North Carolina Holiday Schedule.

Wellness Benefits & Programming

Employee Assistance Program

There are times when everyone needs a little help or advice. The confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through a local provider can help you with things like stress, anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, relationship issues, legal issues, parenting questions, financial counseling and dependent care resources. Best of all it's free for County employees and available for your household to utilize. Utilization of the EAP is completely confidential and participation isn't recorded.

Help is available 24/7/365 by telephone.

Alamance County Employee Health Center

Available to employees and spouses who are covered under the Alamance County Insurance Plan and their covered dependents, 18 years of age and older. Retired employees under age 65 are also eligible to use the health center. Depending on insurance coverage elected, care at the clinic ranges from free to a fair market value cost.

Services Available

• Treatment of injuries or illnesses such as flu, sinus Infection, pink eye, sprains, strains or fever.
• Monitor chronic conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Health Disease, Asthma, etc...)
• Assistance with finding a Primary Care Provider
• Health Education and Counseling
• Triage and referrals to specialists when appropriate.

Alamance County provides a variety of additional benefits including bereavement pay, Paid Parental Leave, Wellness Leave to focus on work-life balance initiatives, Volunteer Time Off (paid time) opportunities to be a part of the Alamance Community, to opportunities for professional certification pay.

Employee Fitness Center

Alamance County encourages all employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle both at home and at work. In support of this philosophy an Employee Fitness Center is available for all County employees to use at their convenience during non-work hours and is open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday-Sunday. This center includes weight training equipment, cardio equipment, a small aerobics room along with restrooms, changing room and lockers.