Legal Assistant

Paralegal PositionPerforms paralegal work in support of attorneys which require substantial judgment and discretion in the application of knowledge of legal procedures, practices, and law; establishes evidence and develops cases; performs legal research; prepares drafts, outlines, or summaries of legal subjects, laws, statutes, briefs, and other legal documents; and performs other related duties as assigned. There is one (1) immediate temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 01/01/2030 with the Office of the Corporation Counsel in Hilo. The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.Examples Of DutiesPerforms legal research and prepares drafts of memoranda of law including summaries of specific decisions, laws, statutes, legal subjects, etc.Verifies and updates cited caselaws, statutes, and other legal authorities.Writes first drafts of court documents and/or outlines of briefs for court and alternative dispute resolution programs, memos, legal opinions, stipulations, orders, and other legal documents.Explains legal procedures, requirements, and interpretations based on precedents and discussions with attorneys to employees of the County.Researches and prepares final drafts of discovery.Coordinates and sets-up depositions.Prepares and issues subpoenas duces tecum.Assures proper evidencing in support of the County's position.Interviews witnesses and appropriate personnel to verify evidence, obtains written statements when possible, and gets cooperation for judicial proceedings.Indexes and organizes depositions and other trial material, including preparation of the exhibit binders for the court and other parties; prepares discovery logs; prepares summaries of depositions.May prepare drafts of new or corrective legislation and rules.Assists attorneys in court by coordinating the presentation of exhibits and by maintaining contact with witnesses, issuing subpoenas, coordinating travel arrangements, and preparing witnesses for testimony.Monitors compliance to decisions, stipulations, and orders.Updates legal research materials and law library; reviews legal decisions, opinions, rulings, and other legal material to keep abreast of developments.Provides preliminary legal consultation to employees, departments, agencies, etc., and other legal work normally performed by attorneys, except duties that may constitute the unauthorized practice of law.Performs RAP checks as necessary.Works on forfeitures such as reviewing requests for Forfeiture of Property from the Police Department or Department of Land and Natural Resources for covered offense; drafts probable cause and legal documents for Administrative Forfeitures; researches and prepares final drafts of discovery documents for Judicial Forfeitures; and prepares quarterly reports.Intakes claims for collection program; verifies amounts; drafts claim letters and complaints.Performs other related duties as assigned.Minimum Qualification RequirementsTraining and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:Graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), andThree (3) years of work experience in a law office involving interviewing, legal research, evaluation and analysis of legal issues, preparation of legal reports, documents, and correspondence, andPossession of a valid State of Hawai'i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver's license at time of filing, as applicable to the position. You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire, if the position requires a driver's license. (The immediate vacancy with the Office of the Corporation Counsel requires a valid driver's license.)Note: Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official credential evaluation report to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official credential evaluation report to your application.)Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application. Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week. Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application. Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process. Knowledge of: interviewing techniques, rules of evidence; legal system and procedures; legal research methods and source of legal information. Ability to: understand and explain legal processes and procedures; recognize and avoid potential problems in the unauthorized practice of law; read and understand laws, statutes, rules, and legal documents; evaluate and analyze facts and legal issues; prepare legal reports, documents, and correspondence; speak clearly; follow oral and written instructions; and deal tactfully and effectively with others. Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Physical Effort Grouping: Light Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.Credit Union MembershipOther Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.Supplemental InformationPlease scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:An official college transcriptA valid driver's licenseA temporary assignment verificationProfessional licenses, and/or certificatesVeterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and