Senior Paralegal (Excepted)(UC)

Description

The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitudes, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a passion for public service. Having the best employees provides the best service to the community. The City of Santa Ana is looking for an experienced Senior Paralegal. This position provides support to attorneys. Under the direction of an attorney, resolves routine legal issues. Researches and analyzes law sources and prepares legal documents.

Essential Functions Include But Are Not Limited To

Assists in drafting Complaints, Answers, and Cross Complaints for Civil Litigation; Familiar with State, Federal and Court of Appeals rules and procedures. Reviews incoming pleadings and discovery requests and verifies calendaring; prepares calendar slips for deposition, hearing and deadline dates; performs legal research and drafts inter-office memos, pleadings, memoranda of points and authorities, petitions for writs and appellate briefs, motions, stipulations, orders, rulings, notices, declarations, proofs of services and other related documents; prepares necessary responses to pleadings and discovery requests including interaction with City departments to obtain necessary information; reviews and summarizes discovery; interviews witnesses; prepares documentation summaries; arranges, contacts and coordinates investigators and experts; requests subpoenas of records and reviews documents; maintains telephone contact with courts, witnesses and attorneys; prepares correspondence and legal memoranda; assists with depositions, trials and other necessary court appearances; files documents with courts and attorneys; reviews and researches court files; conducts factual and statistical research; obtains telephonic rulings and hearing dates; communicates with City staff; coordinates assignments, attorneys and secretaries; prepare cases for arbitration and trial, including preparation of jury instructions, voir dire questionnaires, exhibits and coordination of court appearances of witnesses; prepares petitions and appeals; transaction-related work including: drafting, editing, and arranging the execution of ordinances and resolutions, by-laws, reports, correspondence; preparation of letters of intent, agreements, amendments, contracts, leases, and other legal documents, and will assist in planning, coordination, and execution of transaction closings; assists with real estate closings, including assisting with the drafting of documents, conducting various due diligence reviews, reviewing title, survey and zoning matters and closing and post-closing deliverables ; may lead and direct the work of others; perform clerical and general administrative support duties; and performs related duties as assigned.
Additional essential functions when assigned to support Rent Stabilization: Assists with administrative hearing practice, including: preparing administrative records; drafting notices for administrative procedures; drafting communications with hearing officers and parties involved in administrative hearings; assisting with responses to and performing research regarding public records requests; and legal research related to California administrative adjudication, rent stabilization, and landlord-tenant law.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible civil litigation and case management experience.
Training: Bachelors’ degree or college level coursework in political science, government or a related field supplemented with at least four years of experience in the field. Years of experience and related training may be substituted on a year-by-year or case-by-case basis.
License or Certificate: Possession of a certificate from an approved Paralegal Certification Program is required
HIGHLY DESIRABLE
If assigned to support Rent Stabilization, experience preferred in rent stabilization, landlord-tenant housing, the Brown Act, and quasi-judicial and administrative hearings.
Some transactional experience.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: State, Federal and Appellate court rules; the preparation of cases for trial including but not limited to State and Federal Courts; the preparation and filing of Appellate briefs; legal proceedings, including court procedures; legal terminology; the preparation of legal documents, such as pleadings, briefs, ordinances and resolutions; the techniques and methods of legal research and investigation, including familiarity with law library references and supplements.
Skill in: the use of computers and related word processing software systems and document management, and legal case management systems. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Internet Explorer and Adobe Acrobat applications required.
Ability to: Independently perform extensive legal research with minimal guidance including interpreting legal requirements and provisions relative to the appropriate legal code, regulations, precedence, or cases and procedures; independently do research in the preparation of cases and legal opinions; independently manage, respond to and prepare discovery pleadings; organize and present information in written and oral form; interview and interact with the public, attorneys and City employees regarding case investigation and trial preparation; rely on the extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals; lead the work of others.
CALIFORNIA CODES: BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE SECTION 6450(e)
Every two years, commencing January 1, 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.

Selection Process

All applicants are required to complete and submit a City application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the City online application. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page. New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide.
Excepted means that this is a non-Civil Service position. Applications will be reviewed by the City Attorney's Office. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include: Oral Interview : Will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job. The City of Santa Ana is an equal opportunity employer. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact us regarding providing reasonable accommodation.

Please visit the following website to view the summary of comprehensive benefits!

Summary of Benefits

(under CASA)

NOTE: A more complete set of specifications for this classification may be found on the City's website or on file in the Human Resources Department. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contribution toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Santa Ana.

Closing Date/Time: 11/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Santa Ana

• 714-647-5340

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