Paralegal - Confidential

Salary

$68,078.40 - $86,881.60 Annually

Location

All Locations - San Luis Obispo County, CA

Job Type

Permanent - Hourly

Job Number

0526PM-300908-01

Department

County Counsel

Division

County Counsel Administration

Opening Date

05/07/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

DESCRIPTION

BENEFITS

QUESTIONS

About the Position

This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

Under general supervision, performs a variety of paraprofessional legal work supporting County attorneys in civil or criminal cases, and other legal matters.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties

(Not in order of importance)

• Prepares legal documents under the technical direction of an attorney such as appeals, pleadings, complaints, subpoenas, notices, petitions, discovery requests, contracts, court orders, and service agreements; performs and summarizes legal research under the technical direction of an attorney.
• Completes and files documents with the court; monitors court cases and ensures all documents are filed and on calendar according to court rules and regulations.
• Prepares and coordinates exhibits, evidence, discovery, witnesses, and depositions for trial.
• Gathers, interprets, and analyzes information regarding laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, court decisions, records requests, and other related research items.
• Assists attorneys in case planning, development, and management.
• Collects, compiles, and utilizes technical information to make decisions and recommendations.
• Prepares communications and written materials such as reports, spreadsheets, presentations, and statistical data; coordinates and performs related statistical, grant tracking, and administrative work.
• Conducts and reviews client and witness interviews.
• Responds to inquiries and provides information to the public, other County departments, other public agencies, outside counsel, and defendants regarding cases or other legal inquiries.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Incumbents in the Paralegal classification perform paraprofessional legal work in support of County attorneys including conducting legal research, drafting and analyzing legal documents, and other related work. Incumbents do not perform duties constituting the practice of law which is limited to the County’s practicing attorneys.


The Paralegal classification is distinguished from the Legal Clerk classification in that Legal Clerks perform specialized clerical work of a legal nature, while the Paralegal classification performs direct legal support work to County attorneys which requires advanced professional training in law, legal proceedings, and documentation.

Click Here to see the full job description.

The Ideal Candidate

Knowledge of :

• Modern office practices and procedures
• County government organization, functions and procedures
• Legal terminology, processes, procedures, forms, and formatting for legal documents
• Trial preparation and procedure
• Principles, concepts and methodology of legal research and analysis
• General legal principles and application
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing confidentiality of legal records and proceedings
• Recordkeeping, report preparation, and filing methods

Ability to :

• Perform legal research and analysis
• Prepare a variety of legal documents, reports, and other statistical and narrative written materials
• Use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Perform accurate computations
• Handle confidential and sensitive information
• Work under pressure and deal with emergencies effectively using tact and discretion
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the public, attorneys, peers, subordinates, and other agencies
• Work effectively and maintain positive working relationships with others, including those of diverse perspectives using interpersonal skills
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• Keep and maintain accurate records and reports
• Use computers and related technology efficiently
• Operate a variety of office equipment

Education and Experience

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:


Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. certificate

Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a paralegal certificate or equivalent as described in the California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 et seq. is required at the time of application and must be maintained throughout employment, including mandatory continuing legal education as described in subdivision (d).


Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid CALIFORNIA driver’s license will be required at the time of appointment.

How to Apply

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews. Please be advised that you must complete the job application. Attaching a resume only is not sufficient.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at

Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail [email protected] for more information.



Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. Click here for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran’s credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.

Employer

County of San Luis Obispo

Address

1055 Monterey Street
Suite D-250
San Luis Obispo, California, 93408

Phone

805-781-5959

Website

About the Position

This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

Under general supervision, performs a variety of paraprofessional legal work supporting County attorneys in civil or criminal cases, and other legal matters.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties

(Not in order of importance)

• Prepares legal documents under the technical direction of an attorney such as appeals, pleadings, complaints, subpoenas, notices, petitions, discovery requests, contracts, court orders, and service agreements; performs and summarizes legal research under the technical direction of an attorney.
• Completes and files documents with the court; monitors court cases and ensures all documents are filed and on calendar according to court rules and regulations.
• Prepares and coordinates exhibits, evidence, discovery, witnesses, and depositions for trial.
• Gathers, interprets, and analyzes information regarding laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, court decisions, records requests, and other related research items.
• Assists attorneys in case planning, development, and management.
• Collects, compiles, and utilizes technical information to make decisions and recommendations.
• Prepares communications and written materials such as reports, spreadsheets, presentations, and statistical data; coordinates and performs related statistical, grant tracking, and administrative work.
• Conducts and reviews client and witness interviews.
• Responds to inquiries and provides information to the public, other County departments, other public agencies, outside counsel, and defendants regarding cases or other legal inquiries.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Incumbents in the Paralegal classification perform paraprofessional legal work in support of County attorneys including conducting legal research, drafting and analyzing legal documents, and other related work. Incumbents do not perform duties constituting the practice of law which is limited to the County’s practicing attorneys.


The Paralegal classification is distinguished from the Legal Clerk classification in that Legal Clerks perform specialized clerical work of a legal nature, while the Paralegal classification performs direct legal support work to County attorneys which requires advanced professional training in law, legal proceedings, and documentation.

Click Here to see the full job description.

The Ideal Candidate

Knowledge of :

• Modern office practices and procedures
• County government organization, functions and procedures
• Legal terminology, processes, procedures, forms, and formatting for legal documents
• Trial preparation and procedure
• Principles, concepts and methodology of legal research and analysis
• General legal principles and application
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing confidentiality of legal records and proceedings
• Recordkeeping, report preparation, and filing methods

Ability to :

• Perform legal research and analysis
• Prepare a variety of legal documents, reports, and other statistical and narrative written materials
• Use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Perform accurate computations
• Handle confidential and sensitive information
• Work under pressure and deal with emergencies effectively using tact and discretion
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the public, attorneys, peers, subordinates, and other agencies
• Work effectively and maintain positive working relationships with others, including those of diverse perspectives using interpersonal skills
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• Keep and maintain accurate records and reports
• Use computers and related technology efficiently
• Operate a variety of office equipment

Education and Experience

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:


Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. certificate

Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a paralegal certificate or equivalent as described in the California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 et seq. is required at the time of application and must be maintained throughout employment, including mandatory continuing legal education as described in subdivision (d).


Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid CALIFORNIA driver’s license will be required at the time of appointment.

How to Apply

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews. Please be advised that you must complete the job application. Attaching a resume only is not sufficient.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at

Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail [email protected] for more information.



Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. Click here for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran’s credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.

Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.

Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.

In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them. For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail [email protected].


For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage (click here for link) .

Some benefits include:

• Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
• Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
• Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
• Free visits to the employee health clinic
• Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
• Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
• A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
• Optional deferred compensation plan with up to $500 per year match (depending on bargaining unit)
• Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Paid personal, sick and vacation days
• 12 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Education and Wellness Allowance
• Post Employment Health Plan
• Family Friendly workplace policies
• Flexible work schedule options
• Rideshare commuter benefits
• Pet Insurance

The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.



Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.



Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or ‘cafeteria’ contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.


To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria), visit the Cafeteria Rates webpage (click here for link).



Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.


Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Supervisor/Manager academies
• Microsoft Suite courses
• Defensive Driving
• Financial management
• Retirement preparedness
• Teambuilding
• Written Communication
• Conflict Management
• Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
• Job specific conferences/trainings

Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.



Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the “Assist-to-Own” program sponsored by Golden State Finance Authority (click here for link to more information) to get a loan for the down payment.