HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.115 PARA-LEGAL ASSISTANT I 20211216PART I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
COUNTY OF KAUAI 1.115
Class Specifications for the Class:
PARA-LEGAL ASSISTANT I
SR-18, BU-03
Duties Summary:
Performs moderately difficult para-legal work in support of professional staff
attorneys; assists in carrying out the more complex tasks under closer supervision or for the
purpose of learning; and performs other related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Para-Legal Assistant I is characterized by the performance of a variety of
technical, para-legal support to professional staff attorneys, requiring some substantive
knowledge of the principles, methodology and techniques pertinent to the legal field; and
performs other legal work to assist attorneys in providing legal services.
Examples of Duties: (The following are examples of duties and are not necessarily
descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of specific duties statements does
not preclude management from assigning such duties if such duties are a logical
assignment for the position).
Reads records and transcripts of cases scheduled for hearing;
Assists in negotiating settlements on behalf of clients subject to approval of client
and/or supervising attorney;
Assists in researching and checking cited authorities and specific laws and statutes;
Assists in preparing memorandums and pleadings;
Assists in checking and preparing first drafts and/or outlines of briefs, legal opinions,
contracts, conveyances, deeds, etc.;
Studies legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memorandums and other legal material;
Selects, assembles, summarizes and compiles substantive information on statutes
and specific legal subjects;
Indexes, groups and classifies legal opinions rendered by the office;
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Assists in keeping legal reference books and files;
May draft correspondence;
May assist in the interviewing witnesses and parties to actions; and
Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge of:
Common legal terms and forms; basic constitutional law; types of court actions and
the various court rules and procedures; methods and techniques of legal research and
sources of legal information; legal writing; interviewing techniques.
Ability to:
Read, write, analyze and apply the law; understand the legal process; prepare,
process and maintain legal records, forms and documents; conduct research, compile,
summarize and digest materials, draft documents and prepare reports; follow oral and
written instructions; deal tactfully and effectively with other employees and the general
public; keep matters confidential; operate common office equipment.
This is an amendment to the specification for the class PARA-LEGAL ASSISTANT I,
which was approved as PARA-LEGAL ASSISTANT on March 21, 1987, retitled to PARA-LEGAL
ASSISTANT I on May 27, 1993, amended on March 28, 2017, effective October 16, 2016,
and is to be substituted for that specification.
Approved: December 16, 2021
(date)ANNETTE L. ANDERSON
Director of Human Resources
PART II DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
COUNTY OF KAUAI 1.115
Minimum Qualification Specifications
for the Class:
PARA-LEGAL ASSISTANT I
SR-18; BU-03
Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation
from high school; and
four and one half (4 ½) years of specialized work experience.
Qualifying Specialized Work Experience:
Work experience in legal stenography, legal secretarial, court clerical or other related
work involving the research, application, interpretation or explanation of laws, rules, and
regulations which demonstrated a thorough working knowledge of legal procedures and
terminology and the drafting, review and processing of legal papers and documents in a law
office.
Substitutions Allowed:
The following may be substituted for education:
A. Four (4) years of full-time general work experience may be substituted for a high
school diploma.
B.Successful completion of semester credits leading towards a degree or diploma from
an accredited community college, college or university, trades school, etc., may be
substituted up to four (4) years of the education requirement (15 semester credits =
6 months).
C. An Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree from an accredited community
college, college or university, trades school, etc., may be substituted for the
education requirement.
The following may be substituted for experience:
A.Successful completion of semester credits in legal secretary studies, paralegal
studies, legal studies, law, or a related field leading towards a degree or diploma
from an accredited community college, trades school, may be substituted up to two
(2) years of the specialized work experience (15 semester credits = 6 months).
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B. An Associate’s degree in legal secretary studies, paralegal studies, legal studies, law
or a related field from an accredited community college, business, or technical
school, may be substituted for two (2) years of specialized work experience.
C. A Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, law or a related field from an
accredited college or university may be substituted for up four (4) years of specialized
work experience.
D. A Master’s or PhD degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, law or a related field
from an accredited college or university may be substituted for up to one (1) year of
specialized work experience.
E. A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for
up to four (4) years of specialized work experience.
If a degree is used to substitute for the education requirement, it may not be used
again towards the experience requirement. If work experience is used to substitute for
education, it may not be used again to meet the experience requirement. If the applicant
holds more than one degree, transcripts must be provided, and a thorough review will be
conducted by the DHR staff in order for more than one degree to be credited towards the
minimum qualification requirements. Additional degrees can be considered if obtained
independently through mutually exclusive classes from another degree being considered.
Substitutions will be used to the advantage of the applicant.
Quality of Experience:
Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be
accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must
have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that
he/she has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which he/she is being
considered.
License Requirement:
Possession of the appropriate licenses or certificates as required of the position.
Selective Certification:
Specialized knowledge, skills and abilities may be required to perform the duties of
some positions. For such positions, Selective Certification Requirements may be
established, and certification may be restricted to eligibles who possess the pertinent
experience and/or training required to perform the duties of the position.
Agencies requesting Selective Certification must show the connection between the
kind of training and/or experience on which they wish to base selective certification and the
duties of the position to be filled.
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Tests:
Applicants may be required to qualify on an appropriate examination.
Health and Physical Condition Requirements:
Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and
physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential
functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Effort Grouping: Light
This is an amendment to the specification for the class PARA-LEGAL ASSISTANT I,
which was approved as PARA-LEGAL ASSISTANT on March 21, 1987, retitled to PARA-LEGAL
ASSISTANT I on May 27, 1993, amended on March 28, 2017, effective October 16, 2016,
and is to be substituted for that specification.
Approved: December 16, 2021
(date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON
Director of Human Resources