PARALEGAL

Job Summary

Under general direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures and policies, provides assistance with matters involving Municipal Court jury trials, appeals to Circuit Court from Municipal Court, as well as support for the City Attorney assigned to advise the public safety departments of the City. Provides administrative support to Legal Office, receives phone calls, maintains electronic files, and prepares documents.

Assists legal staff with litigation matters as needed. Serves as back-up in the absence of other legal support staff.

• Assist with Legal Research and Document Preparation for Court Cases: Analyze criminal cases scheduled for prosecution. Interview witnesses via phone, email, or written correspondence in preparation for jury trials. Prepare Municipal Court subpoenas and other customary legal documents and correspondence from general outlines, templates, handwritten documents, and/or recorded dictation. Perform legal research regarding court cases and other matters affecting the City of Greenville for the purpose of responding to discovery motions, subpoenas, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, as directed by City Attorney.
  
  Review and proof legal documents for accuracy. Obtain reports and body worn camera footage from City, County, and state agencies. Create new electronic files based upon tickets received weekly from Municipal Court. File documents electronically with the Court as needed. Maintain confidentiality of legal matters and City information. (50%)
• Provide Administrative Support: Answer phones; perform data entry; prepare and maintain electronic files. Provide customer service by answering questions and providing information on the trial process to members of the public. Provide administrative and legal support for City Attorney assigned to advise the public safety departments within the City, including but not limited to scheduling, preparing electronic files and answering phones.
  
  (35%)
• Provide Back-up Support: Assist other legal support staff with litigation matters. Serve as back-up for other office support staff in their absence. Assist and back up Legal Office Administrator as needed. (15%)

Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate degree in paralegal studies, or a related field. Job-related experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Over four (4) years of progressively responsible experience as a paralegal, or in a related field.

• Notary Public certification.

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

Knowledge of:

• Legal practices and procedures related to matters within the court system, Board of Zoning appeals, and business license revocations.
• Legal research and document preparation for court cases.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Effective interviewing methods and techniques.
• State and Federal electronic filing system.
• State and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Municipal Court procedures.
• Customer service techniques, methods and procedures.
• Standard clerical and general office administration procedures.
• City retention schedule for disposed files.

Ability to:

• Analyze criminal cases scheduled for prosecution.
• Effectively interview individuals related to jury trials.
• Conduct legal research regarding cases and other matters affecting the City.
• Manage multiple projects and perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Retrieve files and documents; file and re-file documents properly; provide related office administration assistance.
• Utilize a variety of communication and interpersonal skills to interact successfully with people at a number of levels inside and/or outside the organization.
• Handle sensitive and confidential issues.
• Review and proof legal documents for accuracy; analyze, and interpret professional journals, and other documents used by the department.
• Make mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions.
• Draft and prepare Municipal Court subpoenas and other customary legal documents and correspondence using general outlines, templates, handwritten documents, and/or taped dictation.
• Operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, fax, telephone, DVD/CD Duplicator, external hard drives, calculator, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Utilize specialized software and systems to include Pro Law, PCMS, eCourt, and

Primary

Work Location:

Office environment.

Protective Equipment

Required:

None.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors: Relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.

Physical Demands: Constantly requires vision and hearing. Frequently requires sitting, standing, walking, carrying, fine dexterity, handling/grasping and talking. Occasionally requires reaching, kneeling, pushing/pulling, bending, and crouching and…