PARALEGAL

(RIGHT

TO KNOW OFFICER

) City of Allentown - 3.8 Allentown, PA Job Details $71,056.13 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Microsoft Word Microsoft Outlook Legal writing Professional ethics Writing skills Windows Regulatory legal research Legal research databases Full Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

City of Allentown Position Description Grade Number:

S11 (Non-Exempt)

Department:

Solicitor's Office Union:

Non-Bargaining

GENERAL PURPOSE

To assist the City of Allentown in ensuring open access to public records by receiving, reviewing, and processing requests for records under the Right to Know Law, Pennsylvania's Act 22 Law and other public records request laws.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of the City Solicitor, and, at times, the Deputy Solicitor and Assistant Solicitors.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

" Receives, reviews, and processes written requests for access to City of Allentown records. " Directs requests to City personnel in all Departments to obtain the requested records. " Recognize when requests for information involves other entities and handle appropriately. " Tracks the progress of City personnel in responding to requests. Maintain a strict diary for all due dates. " Reviews records obtained from City personnel and processes them in accordance with applicable law, regulations, and policy. " Conducts online searches of City records for requested documents. Consult with Information Technology (IT) staff as needed. Assemble and process such records in accordance with applicable law, regulations, and policy. " Performs redactions on documents to ensure compliance with applicable law and regulations. Withholds documents when appropriate under applicable law and regulations. " Conduct legal research when necessary to identify and apply appropriate legal authority. " Draft and issue written determinations that provide the requested records, that note redactions and withholdings, and that provide supporting legal authority. " Maintains a log of all requests and their disposition. Prepares redaction and withholding logs when appropriate. Archives all requests and responses. " Review daily emails from the Office of Open Records (OOR) to keep apprised of the OOR's latest Final Determinations on issues. Review new determinations regularly. Maintain database of applicable determinations. " Consult with City Attorneys as needed. " Assemble and prepare materials, and work with the City attorneys, when necessary, to handle appeals from RTKL determinations. " Perform other paralegal and clerical work. " Assist senior paralegals as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

(A) High School or equivalent; and (B) Paralegal certificate or degree preferred; or (C) Equivalent combination of related education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

" A high degree of clerical and legal aptitude, intelligence, and good judgment. " Strong legal research and legal writing skills. " Experience with MS Windows platform, MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and legal research platforms such as Lexis and Westlaw. " The ability to perform the work described above while maintaining effective working relationships with other employees and the public. " Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail. " Ability to comport with high ethical and professional responsibility standards expected of employees in a legal office.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Computer and associated software, telephone, facsimile, digital imager, office equipment and stationery.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision to read and write legal documents and view computer display with or without correction.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is as associated with a general office environment. The position operates in a legal office. The office provides internal legal services to the City of Allentown in accordance with ethical rules and professional responsibility requirements issued by the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court. Employees within the office are required to conduct themselves with the highest ethical and professional standards.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of applicable education and experience with a preference for legal education and experience; oral interview and reference check. Job related tests may be required. Prior experience as a paralegal with experience in research and drafting of legal documents is preferred. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Rev Sept 2026