Paralegal/Legal Assistant (Unclassified)

General Statement of Duties

The City of Cincinnati Law Department is seeking applicants for a prosecution paralegal/legal assistant. This is a full-service paralegal position that provides complete support to two prosecutors managing two municipal courtrooms on an ongoing basis. Primary duties will include docket preparation and preparing discovery responses; requesting video, documents, and other evidence; notifying and subpoenaing police officers and witnesses for court; drafting legal documents; interacting with the public via telephone and in person; communicating with victims, witnesses, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and court personnel; and working as a team member of the prosecution paralegal/legal assistant staff to complete assigned work duties and promote the overall goals of the Division 0f Prosecuting Attorneys and the City of Cincinnati Law Department.

The successful candidate must possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills. In addition, the candidate should be a proficient writer, exhibit excellent attention to detail, possess sound judgment, and demonstrate critical thinking. Good communication skills and dependability are a must. Finally, applicants must be able to help organize and prepare paperwork and case evidence for prosecutors through effective task management and prioritization. Previous experience with the court system is preferred.

This position requires an associate degree in Paralegal Studies or a Paralegal Certificate, or 3 years of related legal support experience.

For inquiries, please contact Lisa Kunz, Law Department, Room 214, City Hall, 801 Plum Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Lisa.Kunz@cincinnati-oh.gov

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)

(Below is illustrative only. Any one position may not require all of the listed KSAS nor do the listed examples include all the KSAS that may be required.)

Knowledge of:
Policies, procedures, and goals of the Prosecutor’s Office.
Technical legal practices and procedures.
Standard clerical and general office administration procedures.
Standard English grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling.
Use of computers and related software applications.
Research procedures.
Procedures for preparing legal documentation.

Ability to:
Establish work task priorities, finish work in allotted time frames.
Retrieve files and documents; file and re-file documents properly; provide related office administration assistance.
Operate a computer in performance of job duties; maintain and use computerized filing systems.
Operate assigned office equipment.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including City and other government officials, community groups and the general public.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

(Illustrative only. Any one position within this classification may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all of the tasks which may be performed.)

Maintain assigned records, documents, and files; retrieve and return files properly; maintain computerized record-keeping systems as assigned.
Distribute mail, memoranda, and related correspondence to assigned staff.
Prepare legal documentation as assigned.
Request, track, receive, distribute, and maintain data files.
Prepare statistical and analytical reports as assigned.
Respond to requests for information from other departments and the general public.
Assist those contacted in the course of duty in an effective, efficient, and professional manner.
Perform other related technical and paraprofessional duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Associate degree in Paralegal Studies or a Paralegal Certificate, or 3 years of related legal support experience.

Please attach your resume and letter of interest to your application.

Working and Physical Conditions

Environmental Conditions:
Work in an office setting plus remote work; exposure to computer screens; need to work closely with others.

Physical Conditions:
Duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; lifting and carrying light loads; use of fingers and of both hands required; must be able to distinguish colors.

The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.

The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees' to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units.

The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

Holidays

The City of Cincinnati has 11 paid holidays annually that include:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
President's Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas

Health Insurance

The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan.

Eligible dependents include:

Legal Spouse or Equal Partner
Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order")
Step-child
Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian

Basic Life Insurance

A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.

Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.

Flexible Benefits Plans

Healthcare Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.

Dependent Care Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.

Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account

City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.

Healthy Lifestyles Program

City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.

Retirement Plan

The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.

Deferred Compensation

As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.