Paralegal - Office of Director of Public Safety

Job Code: 38550   Salary Grade: 15   Salary: $48,381 - $77,894   FLSA: Nonexempt

The purpose of this classification is to conduct legal research, assist with processing court documentation, and provide administrative support to the department.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Conducts preliminary investigations; reviews cases; conducts research to determine appropriate jurisdiction; reviews rules of procedure and calendar deadlines; gathers and evaluates initial facts, documents and evidence; interviews clients; runs and reviews criminal histories; enters information into department database; prepares case documentation for transfer as needed; forwards information to attorneys for prosecution; and maintains all related documentation.

Conducts discovery investigations; drafts and/or reviews interrogatories, requests for admissions, and requests for production of documents; coordinates collection and review of client files and documents; gathers, organizes, summarizes and analyzes data; drafts and/or reviews responses to discovery requests; locates and retains expert witnesses; prepares chronologies; and reviews hearing notices and publications.

Manages document production; obtains and reviews all documents in client's possession; conducts initial review for privilege; confers with attorney to determine which documents to produce; organizes and manages document production and litigation support, including reviewing, indexing, organizing, and analyzing documents; and follows up on outstanding discovery requests.

Participates in trial preparation and execution; prepares pleading, deposition and trial notebooks with key documents and witness files; discusses court room etiquette with clients and witnesses; coordinates appearance of expert witnesses; organizes, marks and indexes trial exhibits; monitors and coordinates exchange of trial exhibits; manages evidence and equipment; attends jury selection; maintains jury information and details; and assists attorney during trial as needed.

Drafts and responds to formal motions and briefs; performs research and compiles necessary information for motions and briefs; prepares exhibits; researches and confirms validity of case history; reviews, proofs, and submits documentation to appropriate personnel; and coordinates the service of briefs and court filings.

May attend calendar call for Temporary Protection Orders; records responses; distributes calendars to staff for further investigation; contacts petitioners who fail to appear; provide information regarding case status and explains civil justice processes, etc.; makes referrals regarding counseling, shelter, child care or other services; and reports findings and makes recommendations to judge.

May conduct research of code and uniform rules related to the matters of family law and maintains a good working knowledge of all statutes related to child custody, support and visitation. Assists the public with completion of work sheets and schedules mandated by Georgia law.

Minimum Qualifications: Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies or related field; two years of experience as a paralegal; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license; and must possess and maintain Paralegal certification.

SUPPLEMENTAL

Paralegal in the Office of Public Safety: The purpose of this job is to primarily respond to open records request receipted by the DeKalb County Animal Enforcement Services (AES), conduct legal research, assist with processing court documentation, and provide administrative support as needed.  

The successful candidate will: 

• Have familiarity, or ability to quickly learn, requirements of Georgia’s Open Records Act;
• Check and monitor email, fax, and mail throughout the day for new open records requests received by the Office of Public Safety;
• Log and compile new open records requests into an Excel spreadsheet;
• Input new open records requests into case management system, assign and distribute as needed for processing;
• Respond to all open records questions and/or concerns from requesters and Office of Public Safety personnel; if necessary, escalate those concerns to the County’s Law Department. 
• Coordinate open records media requests, Animal Enforcement Services subpoenas, notices to produce and special interest and or high-profile open records requests;
• Assist with processing AES court-held dog cases including cost of care petitions and petitions to dispose;
• Notify and brief chain-of-command (Chief of Staff, Director, PIO, CEO, etc.) of receipt of media, high profile and special interest open records requests;
• Notify and work with County’s Law Department to handle complex legal issues;
• Support AES when needed by; including, but not limited to:
  • Locating and redacting incident and/or accident reports.
  • Scan large volume of documents.
  • Notarize documents for Office of Public Safety departmental use.
• Any other duties and/or responsibilities as needed;
  • Candidate is an employee of the DeKalb County Office of Public Safety; at times, and, with the coordination with the various public safety departments, candidate will assume administrative assignments assigned from County’s Law Department. 
  • Candidate may occasionally assist with issues that fall under the other divisions reporting to the Director of Public Safety.