Description
*Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for range.
NATURE OF WORK:
This position reports directly to the Corporation Counsel. The individual in this position supports all attorneys in the Law Department and is responsible for paralegal responsibilities including, but not limited to, supporting attorneys in the various aspects of litigation related to case preparation, management, and execution, as well as transactional matters. The successful candidate will assist lawyers throughout all phases of litigation including pre-trial investigation, discovery, dispositive motions, trial preparation, and post-trial appeals. This position also involves calendar management, answering or route incoming calls; providing the public and constituents with requested available information; responding and resolving incoming complaints or refer callers to appropriate staff representatives, maintaining and operating confidential files of the department as well as additional secretarial duties as assigned.
The individual must be able to exhibit strong team and customer service skills that reveal outstanding interpersonal skills and have a track record of building and maintaining effective relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders, which in this position would include City officials, City clients, the general public, and fellow staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):
Schedules depositions and handles docketing of court dates and hearings and conferences in attorneys’ schedule and in computer files.
Assists the City attorneys in preparing for court, including preparing any routine correspondence, trial materials, exhibits, courtesy copies or similar material needed, confirming dates with the other parties, and preparing documents for filings.
Prepares deposition abstracts for litigation matters upon request of a City attorney.
Organizes, catalogs and batestamps written discovery responses and documents.
Prepare any physical files and computer files for new complaints.
Assists the City attorneys in court filings and appearances as requested and assigned.
Requests medical records for litigation cases, including subpoenas to a record copy service, and following up with record copy service to ensure receipt of all documents requested.
Draft real estate closing documents, drafting of routine ordinances and resolutions.
Upon receipt of records, reviews records from treaters and creates a medical history summary.
Maintains the records and files in the Law Department, which include requests for legal assistance, property files, central files, agreements, etc.
Manages the Agreement/Contract files, which includes obtaining signatures from the necessary parties.
Works closely with client departments, which includes requesting records evidence for litigation matters and scheduling of depositions and trials for litigation matters.
Assist the legal department in reviewing and processing FOIA requests.
Coordinates the City’s responses to subpoenas.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Corporation Counsel or other City attorneys.
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
Must possess an associate’s degree or higher; possession of a paralegal certificate or a bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
Must possess three (3) or more years of administrative and paralegal experience including office management; work experience in a law firm or office that handles litigation is preferred.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:
Exceptional communication skills as well as the ability to determine and implement the appropriate follow up action; strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills; the ability to work independently with minimum supervision as well as cooperatively with others, and to work well under pressure, and to respond flexibly and resourcefully to the workload.
Problem-solving skills.
Excellent working knowledge of computers; including networked files, word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; ability to learn and navigate within a Windows based operating system.
Ability to take sufficient notes at meetings from which to prepare an accurate record of events.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals and staff throughout the City and outside of the organization; and effectively communicate both verbally and in writing; the ability to compose letters, memos, reports, notices and other documents using proper formatting, appropriate grammar, spelling, construction and design.
Ability to work independently without close supervision and work in a collaborative manner to accomplish the mission of the department.
Ability to maintain confidential information in a mature and responsible manner.
Ability to read, understand and interpret manuals, laws, ordinances, policies and procedures, statutes, rules, regulations, journals, newspapers, memos, letters, reports, guidelines.
Ability to enter data, access, retrieve, and compile information from the computerized system and operate basic office equipment including telephone, fax machine, personal computer, calculator, copy machine, scanner, computer printers, forms, etc.
Working knowledge of business writing, including proper spelling and punctuation. Some knowledge of intermediate accounting procedures and bookkeeping skills is helpful.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
The ability to work in a primarily sedentary position, with the ability to occasionally use force to exert up to 10 pounds. The ability to lift, carry or otherwise move objects, books, materials, etc. using up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Employee is subject to inside environmental conditions, protection from outside weather, but not necessarily from temperature changes.
There are no environmental hazards associated with this classification.
SUPERVISION:
Work is performed under the direction of the Corporation Counsel. The employee is responsible for prioritizing work tasks and for identifying and utilizing the appropriate resources to resolve a problem or situation. The employee is responsible for completing work according to City work rules and safety regulations. Work performance is reviewed through observation, completion of projects, status reports, and meetings. Work is evaluated at least annually, with respect to customer service, problem-solving ability and performance in accordance with this classification standard.
PUBLIC CONTACT:
The employee has regular and frequent contact with division and department employees, other City employees, and the general public and elected officials.
SELECTION METHOD
TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST
LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST
Qualifications Assessment
Structured Oral Interview
To apply for this position, please apply online at www.cityofevanston.org on or before the closing date.
Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position. Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.
The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact Human Resources at 847-448-8204.
