DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - PARA-LEGAL, SENIOR

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; with minimum of one (1) year in a lead or supervisory role.

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

As directed supervises department employees, including assigning and reviewing work, training, providing input on performance evaluations, and making recommendations on hiring, terminating, and disciplining personnel;

Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate-level staff, the department work plan;

Assists with managing the career development and performance of staff assigned;

Meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems;

Assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures;

Assists with developing internal policies and procedures;

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; receives 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 attorneys theory of the case, or to rebut opposing counsels 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.

Summary of Position

The Para-legal, Senior 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 and some lead work authority.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Supervisor or Attorney

Directs: Provides lead work to other staff.

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