ORANGE COUNTY Department of Human Resource Services 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Contact Us at https://clients.comcate.com/newrequest.php?id=36 INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF: Paralegal SALARY $24.12 - $29.89 Hourly $1,929.60 - $2,391.20 Biweekly $4,180.80 - $5,180.93 Monthly $50,169.60 - $62,171.20 Annually ISSUE DATE: 12/30/15 FINAL FILING DATE: 01/13/16 THE POSITION PARALEGAL This recruitment is being held to establish an Eligible List for the OCERS location ONLY. Online applications will be accepted from Wednesday, December 30, 2015 until Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 11:59pm.
THE OPPORTUNITY OCERS is seeking to fill the position of Paralegal. The Paralegal will provide paraprofessional legal assistance to one or more attorneys. The individual in this position will provide informational materials to the public, assist attorneys with completing forms and research/analyze statutes, legal articles, and case law. The Paralegal will also assemble, proofread and edit legal drafts and affidavits. Duties will be performed under the direction and supervision of an attorney. GENERAL DUTIES Provide document preparation and procedural assistance with disability, family law, probate, public records requests, and other matters as assigned Assist system members with legal issues Draft and prepare legal documents such as court pleadings and responses as well as motions and affidavits Review legal documents and forms for completeness Gather factual information and perform routine legal research to assist attorneys Organize files and documents KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES 1937 Act retirement systems or other public retirement systems Legal processes and procedures related to matters such as family law, probate, disability and general litigation Legal research techniques Editing and proofreading techniques Acquire and organize technical or factual information Research legal issues Apply legal principles Present statements of fact and law as well as analysis clearly and logically in written and oral form
Maintain confidentiality Prepare ruling and other legal documents Operate personal computer and use related software Prioritize work Establish and maintain effective working relationships with court staff, members of the Bar and the general public MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Note: One of the Education options as well as the Experience requirement MUST be met). Required Education A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.* OR A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) units in law-related courses that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.* *Please attach an electronic copy of your degree or certification to your application. OR Substitution of law-related education with work experience working under the direction of an attorney and associated education in accordance with the California Business and Professions Code section 6450(c)(3) or (c)(4). * *Attorney declaration will be required
AND Required Experience One year as a Paralegal in a government, corporate, or law firm setting or equivalent experience. Note: As per California Business & Professions code section 6450 (d), every two years, commencing January 2007, any person that is working as a paralegal shall be required to certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in legal ethics and four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in either general law or in an area of specialized law. All continuing legal education courses shall meet the requirements of Section 6070. Certification of these continuing education requirements shall be made with the paralegal's supervising attorney. The paralegal shall be responsible for keeping a record of the paralegal's certifications. Please click here to view the minimum qualification and education substitution criteria WHAT DOES THE ORANGE COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM (OCERS) DO? OCERS provides retirement, death, disability, and cost-of living benefits to employees of the County of Orange and certain County districts. OCERS is governed by a nine-member Board of Retirement that is responsible for managing a $12.7 billion dollar fund. OCERS provides retirement, death, disability, and cost-of living benefits to retirees of the County of Orange and certain County districts. For more information on OCERS, please visit our website at: www.ocers.org SELECTION PROCEDURE Application Process: OCERS Human Resources Department screens all applications and supplemental information forms to identify the qualified candidates. Applications submitted without a completed supplemental information form will be disqualified from further consideration. After screening, the more qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their application status. Application/Supplemental Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): An Application Appraisal Panel (AAP) will thoroughly screen all application
materials and rate for the knowledge, skills, abilities and experience described above. The more qualified candidates will be referred to the next step. (The information you provide will be used as a scoring device, so please be descriptive in your response.) Qualifications Appraisal Panel: (Weighted 100%) Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Based on OCERS needs and the number of applications received, the selection procedures listed above may be modified and all affected candidates will be notified. ELIGIBLE LIST After all the test procedures have been completed OCERS Human Resources Department will establish an eligible list of up to three categories of qualified candidates. As previously stated, this Eligible List will be established for the OCERS location ONLY. HOW TO APPLY Only online applications with the completed supplemental questions will be accepted. Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is on your application and only use one email account. Your application should highlight all of the areas in which you have developed expertise, matching your professional experience with the specific qualifications listed above. It is recommended that you record and print your confirmation page as this verifies receipt of your online application. You may apply online at the County of Orange website: www.ocgov.com For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Melissa Wozniuk at (714) 569-4849 or email mwozniuk@ocers.org. Do not submit resumes to this email address as they will not be considered in lieu of the required application process. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS: Apply online by clicking the "Apply" link above. Only online applications with completed supplemental questions, if applicable, will be accepted and evaluated unless otherwise specified. Your application should highlight all of the experience, education, and
training you possess, matching this with the specific qualifications and competencies listed on the job announcement. All required information submitted will be evaluated in order to identify the most qualified candidates. Application and supplemental information must be current, clear, succinct, and related to the requirements in this job announcement. You may only apply once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified. You are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The information you provide may be used as a rating device so please be detailed in your response. Failure to do so may result in a lower rating or disqualification. Remember, this is a competitive recruitment and only the most qualified will be referred further in the competition. Clarity of expression, grammar, spelling, and your ability to follow instructions may also be considered in the evaluation process. NOTE: Responses of "See Resume" and/or copying and pasting work experience are not a qualifying responses and will not be evaluated or rated. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and any supplemental questions. If you do you have experience in a particular area, write "N/A" for the appropriate question. For detailed information on how to apply, click here. EMAIL NOTIFICATION: Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure that the email address included on your application is correct and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com. BACKGROUND VERIFICATION/SANCTION SCREENING: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check consisting of employment history, professional references, conviction history, criminal check, and educational verification (i.e., degree, license, and/or official transcript).
Foreign degrees require an evaluation for U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services (NACES). Education information provided is subject to verification. Individuals hired by the County of Orange through this recruitment may be required to provide an official copy of diploma, college transcripts or official evaluation of foreign degree for U.S. equivalency within two weeks following the employment start date. Candidates will be required to pass the background check to the satisfaction of the hiring Agency/Department. All applicants will also be required to answer a conviction questionnaire as part of the recruitment process. A clean driving record may be required while employed in this classification (see minimum qualifications and classification description for required license). ADA/TESTING AND ASSESSMENT ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Orange is committed to providing a means for applicants who may have a disability to identify areas, tests or other assessments in which they may request a reasonable accommodation. Candidates are encouraged to contact the recruiter listed for any questions or to request an accommodation during the testing/selection process. To request a reasonable accommodation for any or all of the selection process components, please notify the recruiter immediately so appropriate accommodations may be made prior to the date of the selection component. BENEFITS: The County offers a competitive benefits package which includes a choice of several health plans, annual leave (includes paid vacation) and paid holidays. Additionally, the County provides a retirement plan, which has reciprocity with the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Participation in a deferred compensation plan is available. The County also offers $3,000 annual Educational and Professional Reimbursement. For detailed information on benefits, click here. For detailed information on OCERS retirement, click here. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions. EEO INFORMATION Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
APPLICATIONS MAY BE OBTAINED AND FILED ONLINE AT: https://clients.comcate.com/newrequest.php?id=36 OR 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701 EXAM #2303GE-1215-157(O) PARALEGAL MW
Paralegal Supplemental Questionnaire * 1. The information you provide on this questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the section process; it may also be used in a competitive evaluation of qualifications. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. If you do not have experience in a particular area, please answer "N/A." Statements such as "see application," will not be accepted in lieu of a response. All employers referenced on this questionnaire must be listed on your application. By selecting "Yes" below, you acknowledge that you have read and understand these application requirements. Yes No * 2. Which education option below applies to you? A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association (Please attach a copy to your application.) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) units in law-related courses that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or one approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. (Please attach a copy to your application and complete question 2 below.) Substitution of law-related education with experience working under the direction of an Attorney and associated education in accordance with the California Business & Professions Code section 6450 (c)(3) or (c)(4). (Please attach the attorney written declaration to your application and also complete questions 2 and 3 below.) None of the above * 3. Please indicate your level of education by providing the following information: 1. Type of degree or certification, if applicable 2. Name of educational institution 3. Title of courses and the number of semester or quarter united completed * 4. If you are substituting education with experience working under the direction of an attorney, please describe your law-related work experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years. Note: A written declaration from this attorney stating that you are qualified to perform paralegal tasks is required. Please attach the written declaration to your application. Include your job title, the name of your employer, the name of the attorney, dates of employment, and your job duties for each experience listed. * 5. Do you possess a Juris Doctorate? Yes No
* 6. Please describe your paralegal experience. For each job listed, please include your job title, name of the employer, dates of employment, and your job duties. * 7. If you have experience working as an attorney, please describe your experience below. For each job listed, please include your job title, name of the employer, dates of employment, and your job duties. * Required Question