DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - PARA-LEGAL, INTERMEDIATE

Acceptable Experience and Education
Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field and two (2) years' experience as a paralegal;

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required
Depending on area assigned: Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Paralegal Certificate from a professionally recognized Paralegal/Legal Assistant program.Essential Duties
Prepares and organizes pretrial case materials; retrieves information from computer to assist case documentation;

Contacts office staff, Court personnel, employees from other criminal justice agencies and others, as required to obtain information needed for litigation of cases; reviews, screens, and analyzes case-related materials for assigned cases and provides summary of facts to assigned attorneys; processes documents, including preparation, filing and issuance of information; obtains, indexes and outlines criminal histories, offense reports and all other relevant documents; analyzes jury lists;

Drafts judgments, orders, contracts, payment agreements, notices, and other documents for assigned cases.
May appear in Court with attorneys to take notes and follow up on items requested. Files documents with
the court, and calls to obtain default judgments;

Maintains statistical records and prepares reports; rreceives and responds to open records requests;

Conducts statutory and case law research as requested by the supervising attorney; prepares case briefs and drafts memorandums of law in support of attorney's theory of the case, or to rebut opposing counsel's theory;

Conducts research for criminal and civil charges, pleadings and other information in preparation for trial;
drafts motions, orders, warrants and special orders for review and approval by attorneys;

Responds to questions either by phone, in-person, or email on procedural issues; reviews, provides
guidance in the completion of various applications or documents and processes;

Prepares proposed motions, orders, and notices for attorney review; prepares trial notebooks; copies and files records; notifies attorneys of filings; contacts witnesses;

Consults with attorneys and law enforcement officials regarding detainers and interstate extradition requests; calculates statutorily or court-imposed deadlines; ensures all deadlines are met;

Conducts briefings with attorney staff on issues raised in pending cases, including writ of habeas corpus cases as well as the progress of the cases;

Maintains and organizes files and exhibits in preparation for jury trials, no-jury trials, and administrative
hearings; maintains various databases; maintains statistics regarding caseloads;

Attends depositions, mediations, pre-trials, bench termination trials and contested hearings;

Interviews clients, families, and/or witnesses; may perform investigations on claims; performs discovery of relevant documentation associated with open cases;

Prepares trial docket; prepares various motions, briefs, and orders for the court files; prepares various forms during court hearings;

Works with all aspects of E-filings; may serve as office E-filing administrator;

Prepares financial calculations, pleadings and preparations for court appearances;

Maintains case materials, including case document logs; ensures all evidence for cases is accounted for;

Serves as a liaison with various other County facilities and departments;

Assists the public with inquiries and handles difficult customers and non-routine problems;

Substitutes, if assigned, for coworkers during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;

Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;

Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field(s) of practice;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Depending on area assigned:
Reviews for accuracy and redacts court orders;

Screens cases for enhancement;

Maintains personal time and billing records depending on office assigned to;

Assists attorneys to comply with discovery requirements by cultivating contacts with the various law enforcement agencies to obtain information from the law enforcement agencies regarding law enforcement officers who may be witnesses on cases handle by the attorneys;

Prepares discovery notices for the attorneys' review;

Maintains a database for attorneys regarding information about law enforcement witnesses which should be released to defense attorneys by the prosecuting attorneys;

Assists with the reporting of actions taken by the attorneys on cases to the Department of Public Safety Criminal Justice Information database in Austin, Texas.Summary of Position
The Para-legal, Intermediate under general direction provides support to assigned attorneys in necessary trial preparation and other legal matters or proceedings. Coordinates the work of assigned secretarial support staff. This designation is distinguished from the Legal Secretary and Para-legal classifications by greater work complexity and broader work activities.

Organizational Relationships
Reports to: Supervisor or Attorney

Directs: non-supervisory position; however, may oversee the work and provide guidance to staff

Other: Has frequent contact with representatives of attorney's, attorney's, court personnel, law enforcement, other government agencies, and other county employees

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: Texas Family Code & Texas Rules of Civil Procedure; Texas Rules of Evidence; Texas Code of Criminal Procedure & Texas Penal Code; United States Constitution; Texas Constitution; E-filing for Texas; criminal litigation; the court system; legal terminology; relevant laws, rules and codes; Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines; law office management and administration; open meetings laws and Public Information Act; discovery process; current legal trends in the interaction of law and professional ethics; principles and practices of interviewing and conducting effective interviews and investigations; statistical and record keeping applications, including databases and spreadsheets; business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation; the principles and practices of effective customer service; principles and practices of training and employee development; English usage; grammar, punctuation and spelling; bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.

Skill/Ability to: acquire, maintain, organize, analyze and summarize case evidence; understanding legal terminology; case file examination for documentation accuracy; accurately and succinctly summarize legal information; perform legal research; maintain current, accurate confidential records and reports; explain court processes and actions; keep composure in order to assist high conflict customers; be able to plan and execute work both independently and as a team member; calculate fees; display an ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks; display a high degree of self-motivation; self-accountability; time management; make sound decisions in an expeditious manner; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; be dependable; schedule, and train; to deal with the public courteously and effectively; work under stressful conditions, and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; type 60wpm; Pass a Criminal Background Check;

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
• Maintain and enhance the Countys commitment to customer service excellence