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Job Description
WHY JOIN THE REDWOOD CITY TEAM?
We offer a wide range of meaningful career opportunities with potential for growth, training and development, competitive salaries, flexible work schedules, paid time off, and robust benefits. The Redwood City team is guided by the core values of excellence, integrity, service, collaboration, inclusion and innovation . Inherent in these values is a great organizational culture based on trust, strong and supportive leadership, respect, risk•taking, empowerment, and effective communication. The community is known for its inclusivity, strong engaged neighborhoods, and civic pride. The City works diligently to maintain positive and productive relationships with community partners, together providing outstanding services, programs and opportunities for residents and businesses. This mix of tradition and progress, community and diversity, makes Redwood City an extraordinary place to work and call home. If you're looking to grow your career as a part of a hard-working and fun Finance Department team that fosters innovation, creativity, and collaboration, we hope you'll apply.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The City of Redwood City invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Paralegal within the City Attorney's Office. This position is responsible for performing a wide range of complex and highly responsible paraprofessional and administrative duties. Key responsibilities include the preparation, review, and management of complex legal documents, as well as other specialized legal administrative tasks. The Paralegal may also perform related duties as assigned. This position is distinguished from that of Legal Secretary, which primarily performs office administrative and secretarial assistance. See attached revised Job Description pending City Council approval.
Job PDF:
Final•Paralegal #25A-97•Job Announcement.pdf
Additional Job PDF :
Paralegal_Job Classification Description•Draft Pending City Council Approval.pdf
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a motivated and detail-oriented professional who enjoys supporting meaningful public service work in a collaborative legal environment. They have experience preparing ordinances, resolutions, and contracts, conducting legal research, and assisting with public records requests, preferably within a municipal or government setting. This candidate works independently, manages multiple priorities effectively, and communicates clearly and professionally with City staff, officials, and the public. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and comfort using modern office technology are key, along with a commitment to providing timely, high-quality support to the City Attorney's Office. Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Prepare legal documents for litigation and administrative hearings. Compile materials and assist in the preparation of ordinances, regulations, resolutions, contracts, leases and permits. Process court documents requiring knowledge of legal procedures, format, and terminology in accordance with federal, state, and local rules. Maintain appropriate records and statistics. Respond to inquiries and requests for information from the Council, City staff and the public. Perform legal research; gather information regarding laws, ordinances, regulations, court decisions and similar materials related to assigned project. Assist in litigation cases as directed. . Draft routine legal documents. Assist with Public Records Act requests. Collaborate with City departments to ascertain the volume and nature of records responsive to the request, monitor deadlines for timely production of responsive records, assist attorneys in identifying responsive records and applicable exemptions, and perform and coordinate redaction of information exempt from disclosure. Review and prepare staff reports. Work independently, recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines. Assist with computerized forms and processes and advise on office equipment technology and systems. Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor's degree or a certificate in a formalized paralegal training program.
Experience:
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible administrative experience in a law office or agency, including one year of paralegal experience with a municipality.
Knowledge of:
Methods of legal research. Legal procedures, terminology, forms and documents. Organization, procedures, and operating details of a municipal government. Court rules relating to preparing and filing legal documents.
Ability to:
Understand the organization and operation of the City and outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies. Interpret and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures. Conduct research independently and make logical recommendations. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Deliver quality and timely customer service. Establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Skills to:
Operate modem office equipment including computer equipment. Proofread legal and administrative documents.
Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment: Mobility to work in a standard office environment and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Must possess some ability to sit for long periods of time, although standing for prolonged periods and walking between work areas may be required. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. Special Instructions A City application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questionnaire are required. Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to pass a background check (at no cost to the candidate) including the following:
Criminal History Check DMV Check Fingerprint Check References Note:
internal candidates may be required to complete the above-mentioned requirements.
Special Instructions:
A City application, resume, cover letter and responses to the supplemental questions are required. Applications must be filled out completely. Failure to complete the application and supplemental questions will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience, education or training or stating "See Resume" in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to disqualification. Resumes may be attached separately, but resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City application.
