Paralegal - Champaign, United States - City of Champaign, IL

Description

Do you possess a keen legal mind and excellent organizational and research skills? Are you looking for an opportunity to delve deep into a variety of legal topics that make a real impact to our community? If this sounds like you, then consider applying today to be a Paralegal with the City of Champaign Legal Department.

This is a part-time, 30 hour per week position.

Responsibilities of Position

The Paralegal is a key paraprofessional role in the City's in-house legal team working with City Attorneys and all City Departments in a wide range of legal areas.

The Paralegal performs case management and litigation support including analyzing fact situations for legal issue identification, drafting complaints, assisting with legal strategy, and preparing witnesses for civil and ordinance violation cases.

The Paralegal shares responsibility for ordinance violation and building/property maintenance cases.

They work independently and interact with a variety of stakeholders, such as residents, attorneys, police, court personnel, and law clerks.

Required Qualifications

• A certificate from an American Bar Association-approved Paralegal/Legal Assistant Program such as the National Association of Legal Assistants or a comparable organization; or
• A Bachelor's or Associate's Degree in Legal Studies from a certified degree-awarding institution or its equivalent; or
• A Bachelor's degree in any program plus three years of experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, or an equivalent position; or
• A combination of education and experience that is substantially similar to the above.
• Proficiency in legal research and writing.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Municipal or closely related governmental legal experience.
• Experience or familiarity with criminal and/or civil law and procedure.
• Familiarity with E-filing and local court rules.
• Experience with municipal legal case management.

Drug screening and criminal background check will be required. The annual starting salary range is $53,028 - $60,368, depending on qualifications, plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Applications, including a cover letter and one professional writing sample that demonstrates analytical skills, must be submitted online. For first consideration, apply by Sunday, April 28, 2024. Position will remain open until filled. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the second half of May, 2024.

Other Information

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion.

Contact the Human Resources Department at Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.

The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.


These values guide our work:
Personal Integrity

We act in the best interests of the City

We behave in an ethical and legal manner

We are open and honest

We follow through on commitments

We are loyal to the City

Responsibility

We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities

We take initiative

We act to prevent and solve problems

We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions

We hold ourselves and others accountable

Respect

We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner

We actively listen and seek understanding

We provide a direct response

We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace

We are positive and cooperative

We are willing to apologize

Teamwork

We know and respect our roles and responsibilities

We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately

We define and agree upon the goals

We collaborate to achieve organizational goals

We help others accomplish their goals

We share authority, responsibility, and credit

Results

We take pride in our work

We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget

We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance

We learn from our mistakes

We innovate