Paralegal I

Alamance County Government; North Carolina; On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Alamance County Government seeks a Paralegal I to perform legal research under occasional supervision, following preliminary instructions and policy precedent to assist the Department of Social Services Legal Unit. The ideal candidate will work with confidential information in a fast-paced environment and meet time mandates.

The role requires working knowledge of case, statutory and common law, and the ability to interpret policies and prepare legal instruments.

Qualifications

• Paralegal training or related degree with paralegal experience.
• Strong knowledge of case, statutory and common law.
• Experience handling confidential information and maintaining discretion.

Responsibilities

• Perform legal research following preliminary instructions and policy precedent.
• Summarize facts and evidence and prepare legal instruments.
• Gathers and composes materials from diverse sources.
• Interprets and explains policies, regulations and programs.
• Communicate clearly in oral and written form; coordinate appointments and meetings.

Skills

Accountability

Accuracy

Adaptable

Oral communication

Written communication

Confidentiality

Honesty

Integrity

Judgment

Teamwork

Safety-minded

Education

Paralegal certificate/training

English/Journalism degree

Paralegal experience or high school + experience

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Job description

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.

• 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.

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.

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)

Physical Demands

• 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.