Civil Paralegal

Job ID: 107399

Location: Oregon City, Oregon

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary:Regular

CLACKAMAS COUNTY CORE VALUES

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PRINT OR SAVE THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR YOUR REFERENCE.

IT WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE AFTER THE CLOSE DATE.

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

• Service

• Professionalism

• Integrity

• Respect

• Individual accountability

• Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We're always looking to improve. That's the Clackamas County SPIRIT.

https://www.clackamas.us/countyadmin/spirit

Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.

CLOSE DATE

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Please Note: The application deadline may be extended to expand the pool of qualified candidates. Any recruitment timeline changes will be communicated to all who have initiated an application process or have submitted an application.

PAY AND BENEFITS

Annual Pay Range: $63,633.71 - $85,905.98

Hourly Pay Range: $30.593132 - $41.300955

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering, health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee's date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 16 hours of vacation accrual per month

• Eligible newly hired employees will have the one-time option to frontload their first year of vacation accruals in compliance with http://dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/a51ff5d3-d243-49ba-aa11-15324f4c0bf8! This means you have access to vacation time at time of hire.

• 8 hours of sick accrual per month

• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):

• Employer-paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee's share of the retirement contribution.)

• OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65

• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage

• A Choice of Dental Plans

• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes

• Longevity pay

• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan

• A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)

This is a full time non-represented group 2 County position

https://dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/89bed039-1cd2-4362-87d1-58972a37473b

http://www.clackamas.us/des/benefits.html

JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Come join a great team and make a difference through the work you will do!

Clackamas County seeks a solution-oriented, inquisitive, motivated, skilled, and detail-oriented Civil Paralegal to provide complex legal research, analysis, and assistance to attorneys in the Office of County Counsel. This position conducts legal research, investigates facts, organizes discovery, requires extensive proficiency with document and file management software, and prepares complex legal documents in support of the attorneys. In addition to caseload management and processing, the Civil Paralegal will attend and assist attorneys at trial.

The selected candidate must have civil litigation experience and be able to respond to questions from the public, county employees, management, other agencies, and other legal staff. The position is part of the civil litigation team and assists in the prosecution and defense of cases in state and federal courts in Oregon.

The Office of County Counsel provides legal representation and advice to the Board of County Commissioners, county departments, county service districts, elected officials, and other authorities in relation to their official duties.

As a driven Civil Paralegal, the ideal candidate to join the County Counsel team will:

• Effective communication skills, both in oral and written form.

• Strong computer skills

• Strong grammar, legal writing, and proof-reading skills.

• Ability to handle stress effectively.

• Ability to problem solve.

• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Ability to multi-task and reprioritize assignments as needed.

• Strong communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• At least two (2) years of experience working on civil litigation in Oregon state and federal courts.

• Experience working in a legal office environment as a paralegal with primary responsibilities including the following: case management, docketing, legal research, document drafting, investigation, and discovery for a broad range of litigation.

• Experience dealing with legal documents such as titles, deeds, liens, notices, contracts, and court orders.

• Experience providing customer service in a legal environment.

• Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check

• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. http://dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/828106a0-265a-47cc-a3a6-0a2c8b028673

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Employment as a paralegal for a government body.

• Experience with civil rights litigation.

• Experience with employment litigation.

• Experience supporting attorneys at trial in Oregon state and federal courts.

• Paralegal degree or certificate

• Experience with e-discovery and trial presentation software.

*For Veterans qualified for Veteran's Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

TYPICAL TASKS

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Sets up, organizes, maintains, and monitors case files; locates, reviews, and obtains documents; updates files with new information and documents; organize, maintain, and index case files and documents.

Responds to telephone inquiries providing information about cases or procedures; communicates with parties, other agencies, county departments, and attorneys.

Organizes and maintains voluminous discovery documents in discovery support programs and software.

Provides backup to administrative staff answering phones, taking messages, drafting and revising documents, sorting and scanning mail and providing appropriate information to callers.

Drafts pleadings & discovery documents; electronically files pleadings and case filings in state and federal court.

Coordinates and monitors case progress or court process deadlines; prepares status reports and calendars; tracks issuance of subpoenas.

Code Enforcement - Prepare liens, demand letters, collect payment, as well as have discussions in regards to cases - proof read and file documents with court. Help prepare attorney for court.

Annexation - track process as well as postings, schedule board hearing.

Manages case files on all civil matters involving Clackamas County, including tax, land use, condemnation, torts & foreclosure.

Prepares legal correspondence, court orders, motions, answers, briefs, appeals and other legal documents.

Prepares discovery requests and responses; attends trials as resource for attorney. Meets with client representatives and attorneys regarding requests for production of documents.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Working knowledge of: Municipal and civil legal principles, concepts, systems, terminology; municipal law issues such as public meetings, public records, ordinances, contracts, and elections; methodology, concepts, and practices of legal research; techniques of negotiation, interviewing and investigative practices; hearing process, procedures, and evidentiary rules; practices and techniques of team work; English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation; and computerized record keeping systems.

Skill to: Identify, evaluate and extract pertinent information from a wide variety of documents and sources including computerized; research statutes and legal references, and summarize research results into appropriate legal documents, ordinances, contracts, and memoranda; participate in team decision making; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; prepare legal documents complying with office standards and legal requirements; organize and prioritize work to meet strict timelines; efficiently utilize computers and software to produce documents and conduct research; establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, county staff, witnesses, court officials, other agency personnel, and the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Civil Paralegal position is an “at will” position and serves under the County Counsel on an employment contract.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County's alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is designated as on-site/in-person. It is expected that the selected candidate will perform duties at the specified on-site work location.

EXPLORE CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

http://www.clackamas.us/

http://www.clackamas.us/onboarding/

https://www.mthoodterritory.com/

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Office of County Counsel provides legal advice and representation to the Board of County Commissioners and other County officials, but not to the general public.

It also assists the Clackamas County Housing Authority and service districts operated by the County, such as the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District and the Clackamas County Development Agency. The Office handles litigation on the County's behalf, including claims for personal injury and property damage, land use appeals, personnel grievances and other matters.

http://www.clackamas.us/counsel/

APPLICATION PROCESS

Clackamas County only accepts online applications. As part of the application process, please submit a cover letteraddressing how your interest and experience meet the qualifications (minimum AND any preferred) of the position. Please also include why you are interested in working for Clackamas County.

Help With Your Application:

https://dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/6b3147a3-bf84-4f52-8238-64a37e936b4f

https://www.clackamas.us/jobs#helpwiththeapplication

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or mailto:jobs@co.clackamas.or.us?subject=Application%20Materials%20Question. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

https://www.clackamas.us/des/jobs.html

https://dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/a67ee11c-861c-4126-aa5a-4dec6174f6eb

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

RECRUITING QUESTIONS?

Jared Haddock, Recruiter

mailto:JHaddock@clackamas.us?subject=RECRUITMENT%20QUESTIONS%3F

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/5114929

Copyright ©2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

https://www.jobelephant.com/

jeid-2456fed92c292c4387b795fb7f1e2b64