Paralegal

Legal Assistant Position

If you're looking for meaningful work where you can make a direct impact on your community, enjoy the best benefits package around, and save for retirement, look no further. At Pinal County, we are celebrating 150 years of serving our community and improving the lives of our residents every day. If you're considering making a change, think about contributing to the services and infrastructure that directly affect our citizens. Help us shape the next 150 years!

Working at Pinal County is an investment in you.

Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job.

This is an internal promotion opportunity for current employees of the County Attorney's Office only. You must be a current employee to be considered for this position.

Job Summary: Provide legal assistance to support the activities of the department and use independent judgment based on technical knowledge to conduct research, write legal documents, and manage criminal and civil cases and case files under general supervision.

Typical Classification Essential Duties:

• Provide legal assistance and case management functions for attorneys in the department, prioritize assignments, and perform duties within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with County policies.
• Apply independent judgment based on knowledge of policies and procedures, gained through technical training and work experience, complete assigned special projects, and identify and resolve problems.
• Provide case management functions for prosecution and litigation, prepare, track, and follow-up on sensitive and complex legal documents, and maintain and update legal information and technical records.
• Evaluate case files and research missing and incomplete information and document and manage collection and analysis of evidence.
• Create and manage criminal and civil case files, research files and computer databases, update files, computer records, and tracking systems, check local and state databases, and collect and distribute related information.
• Review case status with attorneys, compose and create memoranda and legal documents, prepare and edit confidential and sensitive legal documents, and maintain confidentiality.
• Prepare and process criminal reports and civil complaints, file legal papers with courts, and process court papers according to court procedures and attorney instructions.
• Schedule interviews, trials, hearings, meetings and attorney's calendar and notify clients and witnesses as needed.
• Receive and send information to and from other agencies and jurisdictions.
• Maintain regular, in-person attendance to effectively perform assigned duties
• Collaborate and work cooperatively with team members to achieve organizational goals
• Provide information and assistance within the scope of designated authority.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements to Perform Work:

• Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies or completion of a Paralegal Educational program approved by the American Bar Association.
• Two (2) years of attorney support experience.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may substitute for the minimum requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Valid Arizona State Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of PCAO policies, procedures, organization, and operations.
• Knowledge of applicable State of Arizona statutes, Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) policies and procedures, Federal rules and requirements, and specialized court software applications.
• Knowledge of operations, functions, procedures, rules, and policies of Pinal County Courts and Arizona Superior Court.
• Knowledge of principles and protocols for the management of official documents and court records
• Knowledge of legal system and law enforcement agency procedures and terminology.
• Knowledge of principles of record keeping, case files, and records management.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing the release of information from court records.
• Skill in coordinating and performing a variety of skilled paralegal technical support functions.
• Skill in reading legal documents and extracting relevant information.
• Skill in drafting, preparing, filing, and distributing various types of legal documents.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional proficiency in written communication, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and professional correspondence and documents.
• Ability to create accurate reports, technical documents, and legal correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and generate reports.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with people seeking information about PCAO functions and activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and local agencies.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Demands: The work is sedentary and requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. The work also requires the ability to finger, reach, perform repetitive motion, lift, kneel, pull, push, hear, speak, stand, stoop, and demonstrate mental and visual acuity.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the ability to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval.

Notice to Applicants: We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and respect for others. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process, we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration, which may impact your future Pinal County applications. Offers of employment are valid only if provided in writing and approved by Pinal County Human Resources. All qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States are welcome to apply. However, visa sponsorship is not available. Pinal County does not participate in STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT). Pinal County requires pre-employment screening, which includes a Motor Vehicle Record check, a comprehensive background check (encompassing employment, education, and criminal history), and drug testing for safety-sensitive roles. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. Employment offers are contingent on successful pre-employment screening. If driving is a requirement of the position, you must have a valid Arizona State Driver's License in accordance with Arizona State Law.