Paralegal - County Attorney

The County of Volusia is seeking an experienced paralegal for the County Attorney's Office. Under the direction of an assistant county attorney, this position provides administrative support compiling records, preparing legal documents, and providing trial assistance. The candidate must be familiar with legal terminology, pleadings, and documents. Additional duties include drafting correspondence, ordinances, and resolutions.  The candidate must be able to perform a variety of complex clerical tasks that require independent judgment due to the time sensitive nature of the work. Candidate should be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Research and analyze legal materials (e.g. statutes, case law) and draft memoranda for attorney review.
• Draft legal documents (e.g. complaints, answers, motions, subpoenas, appellate briefs) for attorney review.
• Summarize medical records and depositions.
• Prepare trial notebooks.
• E-file pleadings in state and federal court.
• Coordinate depositions, conferences, and hearings involving multiple parties.
• Prepare and assist attorney for hearings and trials.
• Compile records and reports to determine relevant information relating to corporate entities.
• Draft clear and concise correspondence with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Receive, screen, process, and route incoming mail and telephone calls.
• Monitor and calendar deadlines and tasks.
• Prepare agenda items and assist with county council meetings as needed.
• Communicate with the public and county staff in an effective and courteous manner.
• Adhere to federal, state, and county ordinances.
• Respond professionally to emergency situations.
• Attend work on a regular and consistent basis.
• Perform related duties as assigned, including assignments to other county locations based upon operational needs.

Associate's degree in paralegal studies, and at least two (2) years’ experience as a professional paralegal. A comparable amount of education, training, or experience may be substituted for the minimum requirements to include: a bachelor's degree in legal or paralegal studies.  The preferred candidate, having met the minimum requirements will have at least four (4) years’ experience in state and federal civil litigation, workers’ compensation, or both.

• Must have the cognitive ability and professional skills to effectively and professionally perform paralegal tasks, including knowledge of the principles and practices of paralegal profession, judicial procedures, legal formatting and terminology, court deadlines, formats used by different legal venues, and knowledge of court proceedings.
• Ability to comprehend written legal documents, actively listen to ascertain legal issues, and orally explain legal issues.
• Ability to understand a legal problem or situation and decide whether to involve the attorney or move forward independently.
• Ability to sort, classify, index, categorize, order, manipulate, and organize information, and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
• Ability to multitask and change priorities to solve problems.
• Ability to calendar deadlines, schedule appointments, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Ability to use investigatory skills to solve problems, digest and apply information, learn new skills, and think critically and creatively to track down information and records from current and historic sources, in both digital and hard copy format.
• Ability to draft clear, concise and persuasive written communications, including correspondence, pleadings, discovery, motions, briefs, legal memorandums, resolutions, agreements, contracts, ordinances, and legal bulletins.
• Ability to interview people and gather information on behalf of an attorney.
• Ability to check legal citations, to confirm accuracy and rule compliance, and verify substantive legal authority in pleadings and memos.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, docketing systems, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, e-filing, internet applications, records management systems, and Westlaw.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Ability to interact effectively with others.
• Ability to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.

ADA REQUIREMENTS: 

Physical Demands: Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 10 lbs. Finger dexterity.   

Environmental Demands: Inside work.   

Mental Demands: Ability to read and comprehend legal documents, manuals, abstracts, professional journals, memos, and reports. Ability to perform basic mathematical functions. Ability to speak clearly and concisely relaying information, data and details. Ability to write reports, opinions, recommendations, legal documents, and business letters.

Volusia County is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce.  Veterans' preference is provided to qualified applicants pursuant to State law.