DISTINGUISHING FEATURES ON THE CLASS: This is paralegal work of a complex nature involving a variety of paralegal duties, including, but not limited to research, review and preparation of legal documents, processing of petitions and court orders, as well as clerical processing duties. Work is performed under general supervision in accordance with specific policies and objectives. May supervise the work of Legal Assistants or other clerical staff. Performs related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative Only)
- Researches law, and analyzes law sources such as statues, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, etc.;
- Prepares legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, notices, contracts, deeds, tax foreclosures, closing papers, and binders, tax sales, etc. for review, approval, and use by the County Attorney or Deputy County Attorneys;
- Prepares and processes paternity, support and juvenile delinquent petitions and orders;
- Processes petitions filed pursuant to the Uniform Support of Dependents Law;
- Prepares affidavits of documents and maintains document file;
- May file pleadings with court clerk;
- May act as law librarian, keeping and monitoring legal volumes and ensuring legal volumes are up-to-date;
- Types, sorts and files correspondence, forms, reports and other materials;
- Performs a variety of related activities as required.
Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques of legal research; good knowledge of legal instruments and documents; good knowledge of legal terminology; ability to conduct legal research; ability to verbally express facts in a concise manner; ability to follow complex oral and written instructions; ability to type at an acceptable rate of speed; initiative; resourcefulness; good judgment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies, Legal Assistant or related field, and three (3) years of experience as a paralegal assistant, legal secretary or closely related work; or
- Graduation from high school of possession of a comparable diploma and five (5) years of experience as a paralegal assistant, legal secretary or closely related work; or
- An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in (a) and (b) above.
PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Possession of a paralegal certificate.
- Possession of a valid New York State Motor Vehicle Operator's license at time of appointment.
7/95; 9/97; 1/09
Competitive Class