Paralegal

Salary Range: $63,080 - $94,620

This is an exempt position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity.

The success of Mecklenburg County rests on strong, competent talent at all levels of the organization. The County Manager’s Office is responsible for executing the policy decisions of the Board of County Commissioners and leading the County organization by overseeing the administration of County departments. If you enjoy working with the public and are looking for a career where your work is important to the community, come be a part of Mecklenburg County Government and help us provide a community of pride and choice for people to live, learn, work, and recreate.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the limited supervision of an Attorney, this position performs intermediate skilled technical work providing specialized support to the Office of the County Attorney in one of the supported departments, which might include, attending court, preparing orders, assisting in litigation preparation, conducting legal research, compiling information, preparing, and maintaining detailed and/or confidential legal records and files, and preparing reports. Work will include occasionally assisting in court, or drafting orders and motions, maintaining schedules of proceedings, scheduling hearings, preparing, and sending notices of legal proceedings, and preparing case files. Work also involves providing various levels of administrative support to the Attorneys and leadership team. This position is assigned to the CFAS Division.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Attends court as necessary, creates and prepares legal documents from descriptions and/or drafts of information to be contained within a document.
• Performs research of legal issues, precedents, laws, and statutes; analyzes legal issues/policies that impact the delivery of services by the Office of the County Attorney.
• Conducts research on establishing Compliance and Ethics Division and related issues and prepares outline for the process.
• Prepares a variety of reports and other types of correspondence.
• Depending on the area of assignment, research property values, deed transfers, and estates; provide legal support to Real Estate lawyers in executing various tasks such as preparing documents and doing research, reviewing surveys and related real estate documents, preparing contracts including leases and easements, reviewing title reports, preparing legal descriptions of the land, preparing other documents relating to county real estate transactions as requested.
• Depending on the area of assignment, works with the legal office on bankruptcy claims.
• Responds and compiles records for outside public records requests.
• Performs Notary Public Duties.
• Performs related duties as required including assisting the department's business manager and Executive Assistant with administrative duties.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Minimum of two years of experience in the legal field or court experience in a human services field or performing legal research.

Education: Associate degree in Paralegal Studies/Technology or a related field required; bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies or a related field preferred.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted: No

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

NC Bar Paralegal certification is required or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with legal proceedings, some familiarity with child abuse and neglect matters.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of

• Mecklenburg County and department policies, procedures, and manuals associated with programs.
• Legal terminology, spelling, and grammar.
• North Carolina General Statutes and Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Comprehensive knowledge in operating standard office equipment and associated software (e.g., Lexis Nexis, Online NC General Statutes, etc.).
• General knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices utilized in legal research.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Preparing reports and other types of written correspondence.

Abilities

• Summarize facts and evidence and perform and organize work independently.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Versatile, works well with others
• Make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; compute rates, ratios, and percentages.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, supervisors, associates, and the general public.
• Maintain confidentiality, and exercise discretion and good judgment.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.