Paralegal

Position Overview

About the Position Tired of work monotony? Do you thrive in an environment where no day is the same? Do you enjoy working on a team with a common goal? If this describes you, apply now to become a Paralegal with the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office! Paralegals play a crucial role in maintaining a top-notch representation of our clients by working on all aspects of the defense case from indictment to sentencing! About the Office of the Public Defender Join one of the largest PD offices in the country. We provide innovative, client-centered legal representation in the full range of criminal matters to clients unable to afford representation. Our attorneys and staff are dedicated to treating our clients with respect and dignity as we defend their constitutional rights in a court of law. This is a fast-paced department with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Come make a difference! Apply today!

Position Qualifications

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications. Education

• Associate’s degree in Legal Assisting, Legal Studies, or Paralegal Studies

Experience

• Two years of experience as a paralegal or legal assistant

OR

• Associate’s in an unrelated field + certificate in Paralegal Studies + two years experience needed
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Legal Assisting, Legal Studies, or Paralegal Studies - no experience needed
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field + certificate of completion from an accredited legal assisting or paralegal studies program - no experience needed

Our Preferred Candidate has

• Experience working in the criminal justice system

Essential Job Tasks

The tasks listed are a representation and not an all-inclusive list of essential job tasks for this position.

• Collects, analyzes, organizes, investigates, and summarizes discovery or other materials
• Assists attorneys with preparation for various types of legal proceedings including but not limited to creating trial notebooks, witness files, trial exhibits, and charts/indices
• Develops and secures discovery, evidence, and other documentation
• Performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which an attorney is responsible
• Assists attorneys in the development of defense strategies and case theories
• Assists attorneys in jury selection and trial proceedings
• Maintains contact with clients (in and out of custody), clients’ families or other pertinent individuals regarding legal process, case status, and/or other related information
• Gathers, reviews, and verifies case documentation including making recommendations for further analysis
• Researches and retains expert witnesses; provides recommendations on experts based on case facts
• Interviews witnesses regarding facts as needed in defense of cases
• Interacts with attorneys, management, co-workers, other agencies, and interested parties
• Prepares routine to moderately complex legal or other documents
• Utilizes technological software to aid in file management, case synopsis, and presentations in courtroom proceedings
• Performs work in a high volume, fast-paced, stressful environment
• Maintains current knowledge of statutes, case law, and legal procedures to ensure compliance with court procedures
• Researches legal or factual issues and provides findings to attorneys
• Maintains case files and case logs
• Attends legal seminars, training classes, and position-oriented meetings on- and off-site

Working Conditions Work is frequently performed indoors, under constant bright lighting. The job requires frequent use of stairs or ladders and working at a computer workstation. May be required to constantly sit, stand, walk, and/or drive a vehicle to perform corresponding tasks. May be required to lift 25 pounds from the floor to waist or waist to shoulder; carry 25-30 pounds a distance of 100 feet; or push/pull 100 pounds a distance of 1000 feet. Time pressures, high volumes of work, handling multiple or complicated tasks, accuracy, and concentration/vigilance are constant requirements.

Selection Procedure

The Maricopa County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates considered to be the most highly qualified. Those selected will be assessed based on the evaluation of listed education and experience. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a list provided by Human Resources. All offers of employment made to new hires and rehires at Maricopa County are contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment thorough background investigation. A background investigation is conducted on a current employee who changes to a Safety Sensitive Position or one having the potential for serious adverse impact on the integrity or efficiency of the County. These requirements do not pertain to employees of elected officials who undergo background investigation processes administered through their respective offices. Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
Attention Current Maricopa County Employees: As of 1/1/2022, the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County will formalize themselves as a separate entity and employer from Maricopa County. To learn more about how that may affect you, please click here .

Maricopa County offers a Total Compensation Package that includes competitive salaries and a comprehensive, affordable benefits package. High value is placed on employee well-being and meeting the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package is comprised of traditional benefits like medical, prescription, dental, vision, and other health benefits. Employees are supported by various wellness programs including classes, coaching, and fitness center opportunities. Our generous benefit options are some of the best in Arizona and just one of the unique advantages of working for Maricopa County. Below is a representative listing of typical benefits received by most full-time employees.

Holidays and Leave
Maricopa County observes ten paid holidays per year. Most County employees accrue vacation (starting at three weeks per year for full-time employees) and sick leave (starting at one hour for every 30 hours worked for all employees). Employees also receive paid leave for other needs such as jury duty, civic duty, and bereavement.

Medical, Prescription, Behavioral Health, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
We understand how important health care is to maintaining a good quality of life. We also know our employees want to have the freedom to choose benefit plans to best meet their needs. Eligible employees may choose from four medical plan options, an HMO, PPO, and two HDHP (High Deductible Health Plans) with a health savings account. When employees enroll in medical coverage, they are automatically enrolled in prescription and behavioral health coverage as well. There are three dental plans from which to choose, two PPO plans and a pre-paid dental plan that functions like an HMO. As is the case with medical, the plans range in cost, flexibility, and network of providers. The vision plan provides employees and their covered dependents access to routine vision services and materials, including an annual eye exam. For those who wish to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses, the flexible spending accounts are suitable for that need.

Life and Disability Insurance
Because life sometimes takes unexpected turns, the County offers life insurance coverage to help employees and their loved ones in the event of death. Basic life and basic accidental death & dismemberment insurance equivalent to one times an employee's annual base salary is provided at no cost, with the option for employees to purchase additional coverage including spouse and child life insurance. Disability insurance is available to replace a portion of an employee's salary should they experience a short-term illness or injury.

Retirement
Eligible employees are covered by one of several State-sponsored retirement pension plans, including the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). Additionally, there's the option to contribute to a 457(b) Savings Plan that provides employees with a variety of investment opportunities. For those employees who retire from the County and from their retirement system, and have accrued 1,000 or more hours of sick leave, the County makes a $10,000 contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan set up on their behalf to be used for payment of eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

Group Legal Plan
Maricopa County offers employees group discounts to purchase coverage for legal services such as adoptions, family matters, wills and trusts.

Wellness
Maricopa County's Wellness Works program promotes health and wellness for employees and their families by focusing on physical activity, good nutrition, self-care and stress management. Maricopa County offers eligible employees a wellness incentive for completing required activities. By meeting a set of criteria, employees and their families can get reimbursed for participating in a Weight Watchers Program. On-site fitness facilities and fitness classes are provided to employees at various locations around the County. Employees and their families also have the opportunity to receive a discounted fitness club membership at LA Fitness. Employees have access to smoking cessation programs and health-related classes on various topics including nutrition, exercise and stress management. Employees located downtown benefit from an onsite pharmacy and clinic. Every fall, flu vaccines are offered to employees at various County locations.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
When employees and their families are faced with personal issues, confidential, short-term counseling and referral services are available to them at no cost.

Employee Discounts
Maricopa County subscribes to a service association which provides employees with volume discounts for sporting events, entertainment, and many other services.

Commute Options Program (COP)
Maricopa County provides free Valley Metro passes for the bus and light rail systems for commuting to/from work; a vanpool subsidy is also provided. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear and tear on their vehicle and help the environment all at the same time.

New Employee Orientation (NEO)
NEO provides new employees with information about Maricopa County such as: history, organizational structure, Merit Rules, County policies and procedures, County pay system and benefits and employee programs.

Rewarding Ideas/Employee Suggestions
Employees are provided with incentives to generate ideas for improvements that result in cost reduction through increased efficiency and productivity, improved processes and procedures and elimination of duplication and waste. Our employees' ideas could put money in their pocket!!

Tuition Reimbursement
To promote Maricopa County's long term employee retention objectives, our employees are eligible to receive financial assistance to continue their education, help make them more productive, enhance their job performance, and equip them to pursue new opportunities within County government.

To learn more about the County's generous benefits, visit the Maricopa County Employee Benefits and Wellness website.

Agency Maricopa County Address

301 W Jefferson
8th Floor
Phoenix, Arizona, 85003

Phone 602-506-3755