Civil Paralegal

The Office of the County Counsel provides legal services to the Board of Supervisors, elected officials and County departments and agencies. It consists of approximately 60 employees located in downtown Oakland at 12th and Oak Streets, near Highway 880 and BART.

Incumbents appointed to the class of Civil Legal Paralegal, under direct supervision of an attorney, provide a full range of civil legal services, including, all civil litigation matters, calendaring, drafting petitions, complaints, answers, case management statements, interrogatories, interrogatory answers, and other legal forms related to legal process.  Civil Legal Paralegals also conduct legal research and prepare written memorandum, summarizing records, depositions and other legal documents.  Civil Legal Paralegals create and maintain documents related to a variety of cases and other legal matters, manage processing various cases, including collection matters. The Alameda County Office of the County Counsel is a fast-paced, team oriented environment; therefore, the ideal candidate would be someone who works well in this fast-paced, team oriented environment.

THE EXAMINATION:

THIS IS A NEW OPEN CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION.   The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended.  This examination may be reopened as necessary and the names of additional candidates merged onto the existing list according to examination score.  Applications and supplemental questionnaire must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by the Last Day for Filing, July 23, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

 

 

ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY; NO HARD COPY APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED

Under the general direction and supervision of an attorney, performs a variety of specialized paralegal functions including some combination of the following: drafts legal documents; conducts legal research and prepares written memoranda; prepares documents for use in pretrial and trial proceedings; creates and maintains legal files, trial notebooks, and indices; supervises case and file management systems; and performs related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Civil Paralegal is a class in the Office of the County Counsel. The position requires the incumbent to perform at the journey level with a high degree of independence and discretion and where complex technical legal knowledge is applied. The position requires the incumbent to work with sensitive and confidential materials. A Civil Paralegal differs from the class of Deputy County Counsel in that the latter is licensed by the State of California to practice law within this state, sign legal documents and appear before the Courts.

Either I

Education:

Certification of completion from an American Bar Association certified paralegal program

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of 3 years of full-time progressively responsible experience in a position where the work is of a paralegal nature in a legal setting.

OR II

Education:

Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of 2 years of full-time progressively responsible experience as a paralegal, law clerk or attorney in a legal setting.

OR III

Experience:

The equivalent of 4 years of full-time progressively responsible experience as a paralegal, law clerk or attorney in a legal setting.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license may be required.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD POSSESS KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Methods and techniques of legal research and legal source materials.
• California Code of Civil Procedure.
• Court regulations, procedures and legal processes.
• Principles of legal writing.
• Methods and techniques for pretrial and trial preparation.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD POSSESS THE ABILITY TO:

• Comprehend, digest and summarize complex legal documents.
• Identify and analyze legal issues.
• Interpret and apply relevant legal codes, statutory procedures and requirements.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in both written and oral form.
• Create and maintain file and case management systems.

 

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1. A review of candidates' application and supplemental questionnaire to verify possession of minimum requirements.  Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process;
2. A screening for best qualified; those candidates considered to be among the best qualified will move on to the next step in the exam process;
3. An oral interview (exam) weighted at 100% of the final examination score.

 

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating of each portion of this examination. 

 *WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

Tentative Recruitment Plan:

**Recruitment Closes (LDF) - 07/23/2012; 5:00 p.m.

**Screening of Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires for Minimum Qualifications - TBD

*Oral Interviews/Exam (weighted at 100% of final score) - TBD

**Promulgation of Eligible List - TBD

**Departmental Hiring Interviews - To Be Scheduled After Promulgation of Eligible List

 

 

**WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN.

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California's seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California's eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO. The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  Employees pay any additional premium costs if they chose an alternate HMO or PPO Plan. If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes up to 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to $1,450 per. The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and available to employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $25,000.  Supplemental Life Insurance for an employee can be purchased in $10,000 increments up $1,000,000.  Supplemental Life Insurance can also be purchased for spouse/domestic partner and/or eligible dependent children.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D) INSURANCE

An employee can purchase either a policy for themselves or a family policy in $25,000 increments up to $500,000.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $2900 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the management employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical, Supplemental Life and/or AD&D premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the management employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses.

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $10,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can contribute salary on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually.  These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

 

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Eleven paid holidays plus two or four floating holidays depending on the union bargaining unit.  Represented management employees are entitled up to three additional days of management paid leave. Unrepresented management employees are entitled up to seven days of management paid leave.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned.  Sick leave accrues at the approximate rate of one-half day per bi-weekly pay period.  Exact rate is based on the union bargaining unit and is defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

VACATION PURCHASE PROGRAM

The County allows you to purchase one or two additional weeks of vacation through payroll deduction.  Exact benefit is based on the union bargaining unit and is defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age.  Places where care can be provided are: in one's home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan and is governed under the provisions of the 1937 Act.  The County's retirement is based on one's age upon entrance, compensation, years of service and specific percentage of employee/employer contributions with the County's portion vesting after five years of employment. (With regard to Project positions - Regularly appointed incumbents in full-time, non-project positions in the Alameda County classified service who are current members of the retirement system and who are appointed, without a break in service or status to a project position can elect to remain in the retirement system.  Individuals hired into a project position and subsequently appointed to full-time, non-project positions become members of the retirement system at the time of the regular appointment.  Computations and determinations of eligibility for retirement shall be based on the date of the regular appointment, with entitlements being prospective from that date.)

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster. 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant's previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver's license and the performance of functions defined as "safety sensitive," Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email.  Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use.  If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you.  All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account.  You  will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the “My applications” button on the Current Job Openings page.

 

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied.  The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.  

 

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system.  Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox.  If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs.  You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

 

  ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

For additional information, please contact:

Monique Hill| Human Resources Analyst II

Human Resource Services Division, Alameda County

1405 Lakeside Drive | Oakland, California 94612

Office 510-208-4841| Facsimile 510-272-6424

monique.hill@acgov.org | www.acgov.org