Paralegal

Paralegal Position at City of Sequim

Join the City of Sequim's City Attorney's Office and do meaningful work that helps support our department mission to "use the law to protect and promote sound public policy." We're looking for an experienced, highly organized Paralegal who enjoys complex work, values collaboration, and takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality results.

The Paralegal performs advanced, confidential legal support work that is essential to the City's operations. Responsibilities include drafting and reviewing contracts; advising other departments on relevant contracting statutes, rules, and City codes, policies, and procedures from contract start to finish; drafting ordinances and resolutions; assisting other departments with drafting municipal code language and policy language; preparing correspondence, reports, and memoranda; conducting detailed and complex research; collecting and analyzing information; and preparing legal documents and pleadings. Work is characterized as confidential; this is an experienced-level classification in which the incumbent performs broad and complex duties, often under short deadlines, that require legal, technical, and administrative knowledge and skill. Incumbent is expected to exercise a substantial amount of tact, independence, good judgment, and initiative, and must complete work in an accurate and timely fashion. Work is performed under limited supervision. The incumbent independently plans and carries out assignments, resolves most issues, coordinates with others, interprets policies in support of established objectives, and keeps the supervisor informed of progress and matters with significant implications. Work is reviewed for overall effectiveness and alignment with organizational goals.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

1. Providing a variety of paralegal and complex clerical, technical, and administrative support duties to the City Attorney's office.
2. Serving as initial point of contact for questions from staff regarding public works contracting laws, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Requests for Qualifications (RFQs); assisting other staff in document review; creating and editing forms and templates as needed.
3. Preparing drafts of new and revised Sequim Municipal Code language, departmental policies and procedures as well as contracts, letters, memoranda, legal opinions, etc.
4. Conducting research and verifying compliance with Court Rules, Revised Codes of Washington (RCWs), Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) and applicable case law to assist attorney; preparing draft memoranda for attorney review to assist in formulation of legal opinions; and organizing materials necessary for attorney implementation.
5. Preparing documents relevant to administrative and court proceedings for attorney's review and revision, such as notices of appearance, affidavits, declarations, subpoenas, notices of deposition, answers, motions to dismiss, etc.; assisting in the preparation of appellate level motions and briefs; properly and timely filing documents with courts and administrative boards and commissions; ensuring that documents conform to applicable rules and are filed in a timely manner; scheduling all deadlines for court proceedings and ensuring deadlines are met.
6. Proofreading documents and correspondence to ensure correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, legal terminology, legal citation, and format.
7. Managing the City's banner rental program with Legal Assistant support in accordance with adopted policies, procedures, etc.
8. Serving as liaison between the City Attorney and the public, outside attorneys, and other City departments and their employees; directing members of the public to appropriate source for answers to their questions regarding legal and court procedures; resolving complaints and making referrals as necessary and appropriate.
9. Within legal, risk, and departmental guidelines, utilizing available technological tools, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as directed, while also identifying opportunities to leverage technology for enhancing efficiency and solving problems.
10. Maintaining timely and regular attendance.
11. Performing related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

1. Knowledge of general office procedures and equipment, including multi-line phone system, copy machine, fax machine, scanners, etc.; legal duties and limits (i.e., restriction on "legal advice," practice of law); public contracting requirements from solicitation to termination/expiration.
2. Skills in critical thinking; reading and understanding federal and Washington State laws, rules, regulations, and case law.
3. Ability to independently identify problems using data and propose appropriate solutions; effectively set priorities, organize workload, handle multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines; handle multiple interruptions and adjustments to priorities throughout the day while maintaining sustained attention to detail; weigh options and foresee consequences of decisions and take personal responsibility for actions.

Foundational competencies include:

1. Use Technical/Functional Expertise: Displays an appropriate depth of knowledge and skills as required for the position and commensurate with the time in class. Uses technology as appropriate for the position. Seeks additional knowledge and information to continually enhance knowledge in areas of specialty.
2. Be Accountable for Performance: Actively shows responsibility, reliability, and trustworthiness. Ensures work and information are complete and accurate. Admits mistakes and looks for ways to improve. Models self as dependable and reliable. Follows up with others to ensure agreements and commitments have been fulfilled. Values the importance of team and organizational success. Independently takes action to influence events, to improve own or organizational performance and to promote the goals of the organization.
3. Provide Excellent Customer Service: Anticipates, assesses, and responds effectively to the needs of diverse customers, internal and external, providing consistently excellent service that is timely, accurate, courteous, and respectful.
4. Communicate Effectively: Uses verbal and written skills effectively to ensure that information is successfully shared throughout the organization. Relates well to a range of people. Shows sensitivity to the needs of others. Demonstrates ability to build rapport and facilitates mutual understanding. High level understanding of the English language, including the ability to speak and write for understanding, clarity, and technical proficiency.
5. Work Safely: Knowledge and application of relevant safety requirements that apply to the specific work being done. Recognizes and mitigates safety hazards on the job. Observes rules and regulations to comply with personal and workplace safety standards. Works to create a hazard-free, accident-free environment.

Team skills include:

1. They balance their need for autonomy with the benefits of mutual interdependence.
2. They value collaboration over individual accomplishments.
3. They understand that trust among team members is fundamental to fostering a collaborative environment and to delivering an outstanding work product.
4. They seek feedback and creative solutions from others.
5. They create a work environment that facilitates information sharing and collective problem solving.
6. This staff member is motivated by working for the common good of the organization and its customers.

Team values include:

1. Responsive Advice
2. Creative Advocacy
3. Details Matter
4. Constructive and Respectful Dialogue
5. Encourage Teamwork

Minimum qualifications include:

A bachelor's degree in public administration, legal studies, political science or related field and a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible legal or contracting administrative experience is required. Public sector experience is strongly preferred. Paralegal certification is desired. Alternatively, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Working conditions include:

Work is performed in a fast-paced office setting with frequent disruptions. Noise level is usually moderate. The employee may be required to remain at a workstation for extended periods of time, frequently using a computer and/or the phone. May be required to deal with upset customers. This individual must have the ability to see, hear, grasp, reach, and push at a normal level with accommodation; adequate finger dexterity and ability to withstand repetitive motion; verbally communicate in English in person and by telephone; stand, sit, and walk as needed throughout day; and occasionally lift and carry parcels weighing up to 25 pounds. The physical demands described above are representative of the essential functions of this job. The employee must have the ability, with or without accommodation, to successfully perform these functions.