Paralegal I/II - Civil

PARALEGAL I/II- CIVIL

This recruitment is open until the position is filled.

First review of applications will occur on May 08, 2025

Hourly Salary Range:

Paralegal I: $27.30 - $36.32

Paralegal II: $30.14 - $40.08

This position is part of a flexible classification. Qualified candidates may be hired at either level based on their experience, education and training as determined by the hiring authority.

The City of Tempe offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 13 Paid Holidays, 1 Personal Day, up to 8 hours Winter Holiday Leave
• Vacation Accrual; starts at 9.33 hours/month. Higher monthly vacation accrual rates may be available with prior ASRS service.
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement; $6,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12.27% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457, 401K, and Employer contribution

To view the employee benefit summary, please visit:

Employee Benefit Summary

Department / Division:

City Attorney’s Office / Civil Division

Job Type:

Full-Time Regular

Schedule:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Monday thru Friday

Job Number:

RC# 902298

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist attorneys with legal research by locating applicable precedents, legal opinions, statutes and orders.
• Review case records and assemble necessary information for legal proceedings.
• Review, organize, and index pleadings, discoveries and other pertinent legal documents for litigation files.
• Analyze and investigate evidentiary problems with submitted records; summarize information in detailed written form for attorneys.
• Assist attorneys with preparation of trial to include organization of exhibits, deposition abstraction and witness notification.
• Respond to inquiries from the general public and employees regarding City of Tempe ordinances.
• Investigate the facts (including off-site interviews, etc.) of cases and ensure all relevant information is considered; assist in client/witness interviews.
• Assist in preparing legal arguments; draft pleadings and motions for filing with the Court; obtain affidavits.
• Prepare written reports to determine how cases should be handled.
• Analyze, organize, and review records and other documents revealed through the discovery process.
• Update and maintain the database management system for litigation support and trial use.
• Manage the disclosure process in complex cases that may involve voluminous documents, including organizing the documents and bates stamping, redacting, creating the disclosure index and conducting document review and preparation of discovery materials for trial cases.
• Assist with the intake, analysis and investigation of Claims for Damages and lawsuits brought by or against the City or its employees.
• Assemble and prepare witness and exhibit notebooks for trial, appeals and/or administrative hearings.
• Maintain sensitive files and records; prepare and compile detailed and complex documents with accuracy, in a timely manner and with confidentiality.
• Assist in the completion of administrative assistant duties as needed; answers and directs phone calls; greets and assists visitors.
• Perform basic legal research and draft standard legal and trial forms, documents and contracts for review by supervising attorneys. Assist in researching and drafting ordinances, resolutions and contracts.
• Assist in the review of public records requests and responses.
• Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation requires.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience:

Paralegal I:

One (1) year of legal experience.

Paralegal II:

Two (2) years of paralegal experience.

Candidates must have the minimum amount of work experience. Years of experience are based upon a full-time work schedule (2,080 hours per year). The sum of an applicant’s full-time and/or part-time qualifying work experience must meet or exceed the stated minimum qualification. Education will not substitute for the required work experience; however, related unpaid and/or volunteer work experience may be used as qualifying work experience.

Education:

Paralegal I:

Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college or university. Paralegal certification through a school approved by the American Bar Association or certification through the National Association for Legal Assistants is preferred.

Paralegal II:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

The term “equivalent” means that directly related work experience exceeding the required work experience will substitute in equal time increments for college-level education, for example: one year of additional directly related work experience will substitute for one year of college education (30 credit hours).

Certifications, Licenses, and/or Registrations:

Paralegal II:

Possession of a Paralegal certification through a school approved by the American Bar Association or certification through the National Association for Legal Assistants is preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants considered for this job classification must pass the following:

• Criminal history background investigation

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

For a complete list of City of Tempe job descriptions go to:

Job Descriptions | City of Tempe, AZ

This position is FLSA Non - Exempt which means employees are eligible for overtime compensation and/or compensatory time.

Employees in this position are represented by the United Arizona Employees Association (UAEA).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The City of Tempe is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, and United States military veteran status. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make a reasonable accommodation(s) during the recruitment & selection process. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 480-350-8276. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.