Legal Assistant (Paralegal) - Law Department Blight Section (Administrative Special Services)

Salary: $72,500.00 Annually
Location : Detroit, Michigan, MI
Job Type: Temporary Special Service Staff
Job Number: 20254929102LAWbb
Department: Law
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 6/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: 9801-Administrative Special Service-Non-Exempt


Description
LAW DEPARTMENT - BLIGHT SECTION

LEGAL ASSISTANT / PARALEGAL

Established by the Detroit City Charter, the Law Department is an independent agency that represents the interests of the City of Detroit as a corporate body. The Department is headed by the Corporation Counsel, whose mission is to provide a variety of legal services to the City, its elected officials, departments, agencies, offices, commissions, and boards, as well as its individual employee, in their official capacity.

The Department has dozens of attorneys, specializing in various areas, who provide legal advice, opinions, and counsel to clients; defend all legal actions against the City; prosecute violations of State law and/or City Ordinances on behalf of the people of the City of Detroit.
This is a Temporary Administrative Special Services (TASS) position.
This Appointment Term is based on availability of grant funds. This is a grant-funded position.
The continuation of this role depends on the availability of ongoing funding.
Employment beyond the current grant period is not guaranteed and will be based on the renewal of funding.

Examples of Duties

• Draft legal documents and correspondence include but not limited to briefs, pleadings, stipulations, discovery requests, and other legal documents.
• Locate property owners and resident agents, research facts to obtain necessary information.
• Locate, collect, organize, review, and summarize documents.
• Maintain databases of actions, information, or processes in Excel or Smartsheet.
• Assist attorneys in preparing for hearings, including scheduling, organization of documents, data, and witnesses, providing information as needed, and identification and compilation of trial exhibits.
• Maintain and operate computerized databases for docket control, case management, calendaring, and litigation support purposes.
• Provide administrative assistance such as preparation of case statistic reports, case summaries, blight litigation activity reports and other reports as requested by management.
• File pleadings and other legal documents with courts or administrative agencies; e-file documents in all courts; file property or tax liens.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful completion of an American Bar Association approved paralegal/legal studies programs and three years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

-OR-

• An Associate degree with a specialization in paralegal studies form an American Bar Association approved institution and two years of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

-OR-

• Bachelor's degree with a specialization in paralegal studies, legal studies, or legal administration from an American Bar Association-approved institution, and six months of work experience as a Legal Assistant.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid State of Michigan Operator License.

EQUIVALENCY

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Supplemental Information

Interview

• Administrative Special Services (Interview)

This is a Temporary Administrative Special Services (TASS) position.
This Appointment Term is based on availability of grant funds. This is a grant-funded position.
The continuation of this role depends on the availability of ongoing funding.
Employment beyond the current grant period is not guaranteed and will be based on the renewal of funding
ABILITY TO:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Proofread and edit correspondence and legal documents for accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation usage.
• Identify and solve complex problems.
• Determine work priorities.
• Organize work and establish priorities.
• Assist in establishing client relations.
• Effectively manage time.
• Follow instructions.
• Maintain composure during stressful situations occurring because of workloads and/or deadlines.
• Interact effectively with the public and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Research and analysis methods.
• Legal practices and procedures.
• Microsoft Office Suites.

SKILL IN:

• Interpreting instructions and guidelines to make decisions and take necessary action(s).
• Preparing a variety of legal-related documents.
• Use of technology as a tool to provide support to attorneys.

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.
Medical Plan Offering for Administrative Special Services Employees
The City of Detroit is pleased to continue to provide a medical plan option to our Administrative Special Services Employees for the 2020 plan year. This plan is provided by Blue Care Network of Michigan and utilizes their PCP Focus Network. This plan provides you with the opportunity to receive an enhanced level of benefits and pay less out of your paycheck for your medical plan. There are two important requirements that you should consider and understand if you should decide to enroll in this plan. You will have to choose a primary care physician that serves within the PCP Focus network. This primary care physician coordinates your care. The network includes over 22,000 Primary Care Physicians. There are also Wellness Requirements that you (the subscriber) must meet in order to remain in the enhanced level of benefit.

Administrative Special Services Staff (Exempt) are eligible for the following benefits:

• CURRENT SICK LEAVE - Granted (3) months of continuous service. (1) day per month, not to exceed (12) days per year.
• VACATION - Granted (1) day per pay period, not to exceed 20 days per fiscal year
• PAID HOLIDAYS - Granted if paid for 600 straight time hours in the (12) months prior to the holiday
• MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT - Granted on same basis as regular employees.
• WORKERS COMPENSATION - Covered by applicable laws.
• UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION - Covered by applicable laws.
• HOSPITALIZATION - You are eligible to purchase healthcare benefits for yourself and your dependents under a group rate. You will be responsible for the full premium, no employer contribution will be applied.Please review the Health Care Plan Options Booklet for more detailed information.
• This position is not eligible for the City Pension Plan, dental, vision, optical, death, life, disability, funeral, reserve sick or jury duty.

Administrative Special Services Staff (Non-Exempt) are eligible for the following benefits:

• CURRENT SICK LEAVE - Granted (3) months of continuous service. (1) Day per month, not to exceed (12) days per year.
• VACATION - Granted on the following basis:

Terms of Service Vacation leave Earned
Less than 6 months None
After 6 months & (1000 work hours)5 days
After 1 year An additional 5 days
2-5 years 10 days
6-7 years 11 days
8-9 years 12 days
10-12 years 13 days
15- years15- years

• PAID HOLIDAYS - Granted if paid for 600 straight time hours in the (12) months prior to the holiday
• OVERTIME - Granted on same basis as regular employees.
• MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT - Granted on same basis as regular employees.
• WORKERS COMPENSATION - Covered by applicable laws.
• UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION - Covered by applicable laws.
• HOSPITALIZATION - You are eligible to purchase healthcare benefits for yourself and your dependents under a group rate. You will be responsible for the full premium; no employer contribution will be applied.Please review the Health Care Plan Options Booklet for more detailed information.
• This position is not eligible for the City Pension Plan, dental, vision, optical, death, life, disability, funeral, reserve sick or jury duty.

01


Please indicate your highest level of education completed

• High School Diploma / GED
• Associate degree with a specialization in paralegal studies form an American Bar Association approved institution
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's degree with a specialization in paralegal studies, legal studies, or legal administration from an American Bar Association approved institution
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD/J.D.
• No Education experience

02


Describe your educational status and work experience as a Legal Assistant (Paralegal)

• Successful completion of an American Bar Association approved paralegal / legal studies programs and three years of work experience as a Legal Assistant
• Associate degree with a specialization in paralegal studies form an American Bar Association approved institution and two years of work experience as a Legal Assistant
• Bachelor's degree with a specialization in paralegal studies, legal studies, or legal administration from an American Bar Association approved institution, and six months of work experience as a Legal Assistant

03


How many years of work experience as a Legal Assistant (Paralegal), do you possess?

• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to 1 year of experience
• 1 to 3 years of experience
• 3 to 5 years of experience
• 5 to 10 years of experience
• 10 or more years of experience
• No experience

04


Describe in detail, if you completed the American Bar Association, approved Paralegal / Legal studies program and explain your work experience as a Legal Assistant.
05


Do you have a valid State of Michigan Operator License?

• Yes
• No

06


Did you attached a copy of your cover letter, updated resume and a writing sample to your online application?

• Yes
• No

07


Please be advised that this position is classified as an Administrative Special Services (TASS) appointment and is fully supported through grant funding. The duration of employment is directly tied to the availability and continuation of those grant funds. This role is considered temporary in nature, and ongoing employment is contingent upon the renewal or extension of the funding source. There is no guarantee of continued employment beyond the current grant period, and any extension of the position will depend solely on the availability of future funding.

• Yes
• No

Required Question