Paralegal - Juvenile Officer

Department: Office of Juvenile Officer

County or State Funded: County

Exempt or Non-exempt: Non-exempt

Pay Grade: C-110

Salary Pay Rate: $21.83 - $27.28 hourly

Basic Function and Responsibility:

To assist attorneys by performing responsible technical paralegal work involving document preparation, seeking of records and materials for litigation purposes, speaking with witnesses and victims for litigation purposes in juvenile law cases which involve delinquency, abuse/neglect, adoption and termination of parental rights.

Appointing Authority and Supervision Received:

The Chief Juvenile Officer is the appointing authority. The Chief Juvenile Officer and Chief Deputy Juvenile Officer provide general supervision. The paralegal receives direct supervision by a managing attorney/trial team leader.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Characteristic and Assigned Duties: (The following duties are representative of the position and do not include all duties which may be performed.)

• Organize and maintain casefiles, in both paper and electronic formats, utilizing case management software.

• Analyze and assess evidence in cases; determine need for additional information and take action, including but not limited to, by preparing pleadings for attorney’s review, subpoenas, and contacting agencies to obtain records. May travel to agency partners within the Kansas City metro area to pick up records.

• Assist attorneys with organization of evidence and meetings with witnesses in preparation for hearings and trial. May attend court hearings and meetings as assistance to attorney.

• Timely and accurately draft and efile exhibit/witness lists, discovery requests and responses, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents and coordinate attorney review and signature process for documents. Timely and accurately prepare, deliver, process and efile legal documents, including but not limited to, subpoenas, summons, and affidavits.

• Analyze and summarize records, depositions, transcripts, pleadings and motions from court and related agencies’ files.

• Perform related work as required, including but not limited to, serve on teams/committees as assigned, cross-train for other paralegal duties as assigned, and work on special projects as assigned.

• Provide information within the limits of confidentiality to relevant persons.

• Track pending cases and advise attorney of concerns with sufficiency of evidence, whether by lack of records in admissible format or lack of service of subpoenas or summons or other challenges during litigation.

• Maintains a calendar of critical dates and deadlines, including but not limited to, court hearings, court filings, pre-trial dates, and discovery response dates.

• Perform other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of court procedures, legal documents and terminology, laws and legal factors, preferably those pertaining to criminal, juvenile or family law.

• Skill and ability in word processing and the operation of computers, computer programs and case management software.

• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, clearly, concisely, accurately and timely, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to draft pleadings and legal documents accurately and timely.

• Ability to work for extended periods of time without frequent supervision.

• Ability to apply legal principles and knowledge of individual cases and problems.

• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize evidence.

• Ability to prepare clear, complete and logical reports and written documentation.

• Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of demands on time.

• Ability to work and relate in a positive fashion toward individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships within the Juvenile Office, and with other Juvenile Offices, agency partners, community stakeholders, the community and court administration.

• Knowledge and strict observance of ethics and professional responsibility incumbent upon employees of lawyers and the Court, including maintenance of confidential information.

• Ability to operate a vehicle in a safe and prudent manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

• The incumbent MUST fulfill one of the six listed education/experience requirements:

• Possession of Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or paralegal designation.

• Graduate of an American Bar Association (ABA) approved program of study for legal assistants or paralegals.

• Graduate of a course of study for legal assistants or paralegals which is institutionally accredited but not ABA approved, and which requires the equivalent of 60 semester hours of classroom study.

• Graduate of any other course of study for legal assistants or paralegals, plus one year of in-house training as a legal assistant or paralegal.

• An associate’s degree in a related field.

• Three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney, including at least one year of in-house training as a legal assistant or paralegal.

• For the purposes of these requirements, “in-house training as a legal assistant or paralegal” means attorney education of the employee concerning legal assistant or paralegal duties, in accordance with the guidelines published by the National Association of Legal Assistants. In addition to review and analysis of assignments the legal assistant or paralegal should receive a reasonable amount of instruction directly related to the duties and obligations of the legal assistant or paralegal.

Necessary Special Requirement:

• Must have valid driver’s license from state of residence and provide proof of such.

• Must have auto liability insurance and properly licensed/reliable vehicle, and provide proof of such.

Equal Opportunity Employer