Paralegal I - City

PAY 

$58,046 - $105,632 Annually 

APPLICATION PERIOD

• Applications/resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. First consideration will be given to applications/resumes received by May 15, 2025.

JOB SUMMARY AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is a full-time position located in the Administration Division of the Office of the Municipal Counselor and is under the supervision of a Law Office Administrator or a designee. This position will be primarily assigned to provide paralegal support to multiple divisions of the Office including Labor and Employment, Land Use, and MAPS and Economic Development. Paralegal responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing legal assistance to the staff attorneys in all aspects of litigation, legal research, preparation of civil cases for trial (federal, state and appellate), preparation of cases for arbitration, organization of case files and documents, development of trial notebooks, preparation of responses to document discovery requests, drafting of pleadings and legal memoranda, analysis of depositions and other civil matters, and performing a large variety of other legal work which otherwise would require an attorney's time. The employee in this position will display the ability to obtain knowledge of City structure, operations, procedures and policies, civil procedure, and coordination of special projects with attorneys in the Municipal Counselor’s Office, various City departments, law firms, administrative agencies, various courts and other business entities. The Paralegal position also requires the ability to display a working knowledge of the theory and concept of law, legal process, conflicts of law and legal defenses. Duties involve making independent decisions on a daily basis. This position serves at the direction of the Municipal Counselor and may be assigned to another division based on the needs of the office.

VETERANS PREFERENCE

Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Active Duty Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserve Forces who are not currently employed full-time by the City of Oklahoma City and who meet the qualifications for the position shall be given preference. To receive preference, veterans must submit verification of honorable discharge from the United States military service (Department of Defense Form DD214 or NGB Form 22) prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid Legal Assistant’s Certification or associate’s degree from an ABA approved Legal Assistant Program.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computerized legal research tools such as LexisNexis.
• Knowledge of and ability to use legal reference sources and commonly used legal research procedures and methods to locate, analyze and prepare reports on statutes, court decisions, legal opinions, and other legal documents.
• Skill in assessing and organizing a wide variety of information.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision but also able to work well with others as a member of team.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Willingness to assume responsibility for accuracy of work performed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, productive, and congenial working relationships with municipal officials, municipal employees, outside agencies, and individuals.
• Skill in Windows Office applications and the OSCN system.
• Skill in drafting and revising legal and/or other documents on a personal computer.
• Skill using tact, diplomacy, discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality.

COMPETENCIES

• Execution and Results: (1) Sets well-defined and realistic goals and high standards of performance for self or self and others; (2) displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment toward performing work; (3) completes assignments in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner, and delivers results; (4) works with minimal supervision, is motivated to achieve, and demonstrates responsible behavior; (5) demonstrates understanding of all aspects of the job and application of accrued knowledge in carrying out duties and responsibilities; technical knowledge; skill in the techniques, equipment, procedures, and work required; (6) recognizes opportunities and takes action for improvement to programs, policies, procedures, practices, and processes; (7) understands and is able to apply the principles, methods, and tools of quality improvement; (8) collects, examines, analyzes, and interprets data from a variety of sources; (9) makes data-driven recommendations/decisions and