SUPERVISING PARALEGAL

Job Description:

SUPERVISING PARALEGAL

Description

Position/Program Information

FIRST DAY OF FILING:
OCTOBER 29, 2024 at 8:00 A.M. (PT)

THE FILING PERIOD MAY BE SUSPENDED AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THIS EXAMINATION MAY REOPEN AS THE NEEDS OF THE SERVICE REQUIRE.

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FILING PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS.


EXAM NUMBER:

J9234A

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB OPPORTUNITY

REASONS TO JOIN OUR TEAM:
Check Out Our Outstanding Benefits !
Los Angeles County offers one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the nation.

• Flexible Benefit Plans - The County provides each employee with a monthly "benefit allowance" they can use to pay for benefits, allowing employees to choose among a variety of pre-tax and after-tax benefits that include Medical and Dental coverage, Group life insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Health care spending accounts, Long-term disability health insurance, Subsidized Dependent Care Spending Accounts.
• Robust Retirement Packages - Contributory-defined benefit plan; optional tax-deferred income plans that may include a county matching contribution up to 4% of employee's salary.
• Generous Maternity and Family Leave Benefits
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays per year

For more details on employee benefits, please visit https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/

DEFINITION
Supervises a staff of Paralegals providing paralegal services to Constitutional Policing Advisors and attorneys.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS
Positions allocable to this class may be found in the County Counsel, District Attorney, Public Defender, and Sheriff's Department and have supervisory responsibility for the work of three or more Paralegals providing a full range of legal support services to attorneys including legal research, drafting of documents such as motions, points and authorities, interrogatories and answers, gathering factual information as part of case preparation, and organizing and indexing trial documents. Staff may be assigned to central work units or various field locations where supervision may be through field visits to Branch or Area Offices or other outlying locations. Positions allocable to this class report to a supervising attorney or Constitutional Policing Advisor and substantial legal work prepared by the Supervising Paralegal or subordinate staff shall be specifically delegated by, and performed under the direction, supervision and technical review of, an attorney or Constitutional Policing Advisor.

Essential Job Functions

Supervises the work of Paralegals by assigning work, planning, advising, monitoring, motivating, training, supporting, coaching, counseling, and disciplining; by approving employees' work products; and by evaluating work performance in order to ensure a) the unit runs effectively and b) that quality services are efficiently delivered according to applicable Departmental policies, procedures, and regulations; etc.

Oversees, monitors, assesses and evaluates the operation of the assigned section by developing, implementing, and modifying policies and procedures governing Paralegal functions consistent with legal, court, and departmental requirements; planning, directing, scheduling, running statistical reports; meeting with staff; coordinating the work activities; etc. in order to ensure: a) the unit runs effectively and b) that quality services are efficiently delivered according to applicable Departmental policies, procedures, regulations, settlement agreements; etc.

Maintains work production and flow by making determinations regarding emergency assignments; adjusting priorities in accordance with such determinations; etc. in order to meet established deadlines.

Responsible for performing the most complex, specialized or sensitive paralegal duties by researching and analyzing law sources; investigating case information; preparing various legal documents; reviewing and processing various legal documents; assisting staff in connection with various proceedings in order to ensure: a) the unit runs effectively and b) that quality services are efficiently delivered according to applicable Departmental policies, procedures, regulations, settlement agreements; etc.

Researches and analyzes legal and other sources related to best practices in policing by consulting and evaluating information obtained from various hard copy and computer-based sources (e.g., statutes, case law, court rules, applicable policies and regulations, etc.); gathering information from other law enforcement agencies; etc. in order to evaluate and prepare case summaries; assist in establishing policy recommendations; tracking and organizing legislative changes, settlement agreements terms, and legal mandates.

Prepares various legal documents (e.g., memoranda, briefs, investigation reports/requests, points and authorities, declarations, various letters and correspondence, etc.) by compiling information into an appropriate format (e.g., forms text, table, chart, presentation, etc.), and manually or electronically operating computer software programs (e.g., email, word processing, spreadsheet, database, etc.) in order to solicit, convey, record, or present the information to appropriate parties (e.g., attorneys, co-workers, supervisors, courts, monitors, other governmental agencies, etc.).

Reviews and processes various documents by checking contents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations; processing requests for information; obtaining necessary signatures; attaching required addenda; etc., in order to ensure the completed documents are received by or filed with the appropriate parties within applicable time limits.

Organizes a variety of documents (e.g., business/public records, reports, policy manuals, etc.) by summarizing, sorting, and indexing the materials according to a specified sequencing method (e.g., alphabetic, numerical, chronological, by subject matter, department-specific document coding systems, etc.); utilizing the office's electronic and/or hardcopy filing systems; etc. in order to ensure their accessibility, accuracy, safe-keeping, and relevance.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Option A: One year of experience at the level of Senior Paralegal * in a county** law office performing a wide variety of paralegal duties under the direction of an attorney.

Option B: Two years' of experience at the level of Paralegal * in a county** law office performing a wide variety of paralegal duties under the direction of an attorney.

LICENSE
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS
Physical Class II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Continuing Education
Every two years, all paralegals shall be required to certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in legal ethics and four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in either general law or in a specialized area of laws. All continuing legal education courses shall meet the requirements of California Business and Professions Code Section 6070. Certification of these continuing education requirements shall be made with the paralegal’s supervising attorney. The paralegal shall be responsible for keeping a record of the paralegal’s certification.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION
*For a full description of the class specification of Los Angeles County's Senior Paralegal (Item #9233) and Paralegal (Item #9232) please click the hyperlink on the job title OR go to Department of Human Resources website at http://hr.lacounty.gov/ and type in the job title or item number under "FIND JOB DESCRIPTIONS" search box.

**County refers to any legal office or department within a county government that handles legal matters on behalf of the county.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
As part of this application process, applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The questionnaire contains a pre-investigative questionnaire which will be utilized as part of the background investigation process to ensure applicants meet the standards set forth by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Applicants who fail the pre-investigative questionnaire will be disqualified and will have to wait twelve (12) months from the date of the disqualification in order to reapply.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT
This examination will consist of TWO (2) parts:

PART I
A multiple choice and/or simulation assessment(s) weighted 25%, assessing Responsibility; Accepting Others; Showing Courtesy; Maintaining Good Working Relationships; Analyzing Information; Learning Quickly; Working to High Quality Standards; Complying with Rules and Regulations; Adapting to Change; Controlling Emotions; Working Energetically; Achievement; Willingness to Learn; and Management Potential

TRANSFER OF TEST COMPONENTS

• Applicants who have taken identical components recently for other exams may have their responses automatically transferred to this examination.
• This examination contains test components that may be used in the future for new examinations and your test responses may be transferred.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON PART I IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO PART II.


MULTIPLE CHOICE AND/OR SIMULATION(S) ASSESSMENT IS NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.


PART II
A structured Interview weighted 75%, assessing Fact-Finding and Data Analysis; Ability to Effectively Supervise; Ability to Provide Assistance in Legal Preparation including Gathering Information on Relevant Rules, Regulation, and Court Decisions; Ability to Conduct Research; Compliance Knowledge; Ability to Support Investigations; and Oral Communication.


APPLICANTS MUST ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON EACH WEIGHTED PART OF THE EXAMINATION TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE REGISTER.


TESTING ACCOMMODATIONIf you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation. Please note, you will be provided with an initial deadline to submit documentation. Failure to submit the required documentation by the deadline will delay your participation in the examination process and consideration for initial placement on the eligible register.


TEST PREPARATION
Study guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While these guides will help you prepare for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.

• An interactive, Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at http://hr.lacounty.gov/ . Please click on "Find a Job" and then "Job Search Toolkit." Test preparation information is located under the "Employment Test Assistance" section.
• Additional online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests .

Please note that these resources are intended to provide general information about the types of tests and assessments used by the County of Los Angeles. These resources do not contain details of the exam nor the specific questions you will be asked to answer during the test administration. The exam content section describes the areas assessed by the test and you are invited to study and review whatever material you believe will help you to prepare.

VETERANS CREDIT
If you served in the military and were honorably discharged, you may qualify for Veteran’s Credit. To receive this credit, please include a copy of your DD214 Form issued by the branch of service with your application for review.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
The names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of six (6) months from the date of promulgation. Applications will be processed on an as-received basis and promulgated to the eligible register accordingly.

NO PERSON MAY COMPETE IN THIS EXAMINATION MORE THAN ONCE EVERY SIX (6) MONTHS.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES MUST COMPLETE A THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING FINGERPRINT SEARCH. Examples of disqualifying factors include: Any felony convictions; job related misdemeanor convictions; certain serious traffic convictions or patterns of traffic violations (3 moving violations in one year; failure to appear; at fault accidents; suspended license; driving under the influence); poor credit history; poor employment history; substance abuse; anyone on probation.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY IF HIRED

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (Department) has a " zero tolerance " policy for its employees for the following:

• use of narcotics, controlled substances, and/or prescription drugs without a prescription.

Any employee found in violation of this policy will be subject to discharge.

VACANCY INFORMATION
The eligible register resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Office of Constitutional Policing.

AVAILABLE SHIFT Day

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE ONLY. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY U.S. MAIL, FAX, OR IN PERSON WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

TO ENSURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED, YOU MUST HAVE RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION EMAIL AS VERIFICATION.

All applicants are required to submit a Standard County of Los Angeles Employment application and supplemental questionnaire ONLINE only. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of applications, although resumes and supporting documents may be uploaded as attachments to the online application.

Fill out your application and supplemental questionnaire completely. Provide any relevant education, training, and experience in the spaces provided so we may evaluate your qualifications for the job. All information is subject to verification and applications may be rejected at any time during the selection process.

The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS and you have completely filled out your application.

Apply online by clicking on the green "Apply" button at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website. Your application and supplemental questionnaire must be submitted electronically before 5:00 p.m., PT, on the last day of filing.

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FILING PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the 5:00 P.M. (PT) deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Please note that ALL information included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made.
• FALSIFICATIONS of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION or RESCISSION OF APPOINTMENT.
• Utilizing VERBIAGE from Class Specification and Minimum Requirements serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an INCOMPLETE APPLICATION and you may be DISQUALIFIED.
  
  CORRESPONDENCE AND UPDATES WILL BE SENT VIA E-MAIL
• All notices including invitation letters, result letters and notices of non-acceptance will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add jbarco@lasd.org, yrodriguez@hr.lacounty.gov, info@governmentjobs.com, talentcentral@shl.com, and donot-reply@amcatmail.com to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail. Please note, if you opt out of receiving emails, you can visit governmentjobs.com, log into your profile and check your inbox. The inbox retains a copy of most emails sent, for your records.

NOTE: Candidates who apply online must upload any required documents as attachments during application submission. If you are unable to attach required documents, you may fax the documents to (323) 415-2580 or email any outstanding required documents to sheriffexamsunit@lasd.org at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of application filing . Please include your Name, the Exam Number, and the Exam Title on the faxed documents.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER : Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD : All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
ADA Coordinator Phone: (213) 229-1621
Teletype Phone: (213) 626-0251
Department Contact Name: Professional Examinations Unit
Department Contact Phone: (323) 526-5611
Department Contact Email: sheriffexamsunit @lasd.org

For detailed information, please click here

Salary:

$74,750.16 - $112,272.00 Annually