PART TIME PARALEGAL
PART TIME PARALEGAL
Merced Superior Court
BiWeekly Salary: $1,789.60
Filing Deadline: 2/19/20
Official application and detailed job flyer can be obtained from:
Merced Superior Court
Administration Office
627 W. 21st St. Merced, CA 95340
Or from our website www.mercedcourt.org EOE
PART TIME PARALEGAL
(Up to 25 hours per week)
Positions Available in Merced and Los Banos Locations
OPEN RECRUITMENT
Filing Deadline: February 19, 2020
4:30 p.m. – Actual Receipt
Salary Range: $22.37 - $27.21 (Hourly)
$1,789.60 - $2,176.80 (BiWeekly)
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs paraprofessional legal support work including research, interviewing
clients, preparing standard documents, assisting in case preparation and other technical assistance on matters
before the court.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is an entry and journey level paraprofessional classification that provides a varied range of technical legal
assistance engaged in administrative, civil, family or criminal law. This position works closely with the Self Help
Center attorney, judicial officers, private attorneys, county agencies, court staff and self-represented litigants
and is fully competent to perform a wide range of complex support work for the Court. Although this is not a
supervisory classification, an incumbent may direct the work or training of others in legal/Court procedures and
techniques.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not
exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification.
Other duties may be required and assigned.
1. Develops legal tools and processes and obtains support for enactment of the same in order to promote
efficient case management.
2. Explains legal procedure and process to self-represented litigants one-on-one and in group/workshop
situations, on a variety of topics appropriate to the Self-Help Center.
3. Reviews court files to determine the status of cases; identifies correct court forms for use by selfrepresented litigants in preparation for hearings.
4. Assists supervising attorney in reviewing changes in legislation and case law; examines, reviews and
analyzes local rules and forms for compliance with procedural of statutes, codes, rules and policies;
conducts basic legal research, including locating statutes and relevant case citations; prepares reports,
memoranda and performs special studies.
5. Assists supervising attorney with communication and collaboration of court services and other local
resources; compiling and maintaining division statistical information; evaluating and analyzing division
procedures and protocols; preparing and maintaining division procedural processes and manual;
developing and conducting community outreach and educational programs.
6. Under direction, may mentor, train and/or act as lead in the absence of the supervising attorney; works
directly with court administrators.
7. Reviews, researches and assists with information that must remain confidential regarding sensitive
matters including employee relations and bargaining information and complaints against the Court from
the public, as directed by Administration.
8. Collects and records fees, makes appropriate case entries; issues receipts and balances cash drawers.
Performs basic financial and statistical record keeping.
9. Provides assistance to other employees and divisions as needed.
10. May serve as legal adviser to the court judicial officers, staff, or judicial committees on specific difficult
and complex matters before the court.
11. Other duties as assigned.
WORK HOURS
As directed, per Division needs, including overtime.
SUPERVISORY DUTIES
None
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Employment Standards
Knowledge Of:
Legal research techniques and standard legal reference materials.
Principles, practices, methods, and materials of legal research and analysis
Legal office terminology, processes, procedures, and the format for legal documents.
Techniques of interviewing, often when relations may be strained.
Record keeping, report preparation and filing methods.
Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
Office administrative practices and procedures, including filing, business letter writing and the operation
of common office equipment.
Familiarity with California statutes, codes, court processes and rules of court, and principles of civil,
criminal, constitutional, and administrative law.
Skills and Ability To:
Perform basic legal research from varied sources.
Interview individuals of various socioeconomic backgrounds in difficult situations.
Prepare a variety of legal documents.
Use initiative and sound independent judgement within established guidelines.
Organize and maintain accurate records and files.
Organize work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Work independently as well as closely with others.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Education:
A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association
Experience:
Three (3) years of legal clerical experience researching and drafting a variety of legal documents,
preferably supplemented by course work in legal office practices and business law
Directly related experience in a court setting may be substituted on a year for year basis as deemed
appropriate by the Court Executive Officer
Preferably, one year of journey level paralegal experience
License, Certification and/or Special Requirements:
Paralegal certificate.
A valid Class C California driver’s license may be required. The requirement will be reviewed on a
position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Applications may be obtained from and submitted to:
Merced Superior Court
Administration Office
627 W. 21st Street
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 725-4103
Or visit our website at www.mercedcourt.org
All applications for employment must be made on an official application form and must be filed with
Human Resources on or prior to the closing date and time for receipt of applications. Postmarked and
faxed applications will not be accepted. A resume may be included with the application as
supplemental information, but will not be accepted in lieu of an official application. All information on
the application must be completed – “see resume or see attached” is not acceptable. Applications
must be legible, signed and complete (including copies of licenses, certificates, transcripts,
Supplemental Questionnaire, etc. if required). All information is subject to investigation and
verification.
The selection process is subject to change. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a
sufficient number are received at which time the recruitment will be closed or the filing deadline has
occurred. In order to insure proper evaluation of employment qualifications, it is suggested that
applicants read the directions carefully and fill out the application COMPLETELY. Those applicants
meeting the minimum qualifications and possessing the most relevant experience as shown on the
application may be invited for an interview. The screening of applications will be done by Human
Resources who will determine the most qualified to be referred for interviews.
If you require accommodations in the application or interview process, contact Human Resources at
the number listed above before the deadline posted on the job announcement.