Paralegal

• Supplemental:
• • The 2025 salary range for this position is $21.07 to $31.61 per hour, depending on experience.
    • Relevant previous experience will be taken into consideration.
    • Our organization values pay equity, and hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical.
  • To ensure full consideration, please submit your application by June 27, 2025.
    • Applications received after this date will be reviewed only if the position remains open.
  • Communication updates will be sent via email.
  • This full-time position includes a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
    • Medical, dental, and life insurance
    • Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation
  • Regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• 2025 Benefits Click HERE (also available on the McLeod County Website > Employment Tab)

Position Summary

The Paralegal assists the attorney’s by providing support services to ensure efficient handling of cases and projects.  This position requires the individual to prepare legal documents, assist in trial preparation, and victim notifications. Work is performed under the direction of the County Attorney.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Duties listed are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

Position Duties

• Provide trial preparation for the attorneys, including reviewing discovery materials with law enforcement departments to assure completeness. Notify officers, subpoena and coordinate witnesses.  Prepares exhibits and exhibit lists, and assist attorney at trial, including operating audio/visual equipment.
• Provide input to attorneys with trial strategy and how to present the case to the court or jury when requested.
• Prepare and send out all victim notifications and have contact with the victims to get their input and information relating to restitution.
• Attend and participate in advisory groups and committees, including the MCAPS Development Commitment with Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MCCC).
• Aid with discovery requests by coordinating, monitoring, and assisting with discovery procedures. Gather all information available for discovery.
• Prepare correspondence to law enforcement officers and witnesses when they are needed to testify at various hearings.
• Attend pre-petition screening meetings for commitments to determine if the patient meets the statutory criteria for either a chemical dependence commitment and/or a mental illness commitment.
• Coordinate Extraditions, Writs and Detainers. This includes applying to the Governor for the extradition of a criminal offender from another state to Minnesota. Communicate and coordinate with the Governor’s office and other agencies to locate and transport individuals to McLeod County for criminal proceedings.
• Administrator of all programs and websites for the office.
• Open files, send notices to officers, and distribute funds received from forfeitures to the appropriate parties.
• Balance and record deposits and withdrawals from the County Attorney Trust Account.
• Prepare correspondence and legal documents regarding the collection of medical assistance claims on behalf of McLeod County Social Services, which includes phone and in-person meetings with authorized representatives of the decedent.
• Prepare legal documents for commitments, including petitions, motions and orders, and file these documents with the court.
• Monitor and update the State of Minnesota regarding commitments to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP).
• Prepare correspondence regarding bad checks that have been issued to McLeod County.
• Maintain office technology, including computers, printers, copiers, etc.
• Compile and prepare budget information for the County Attorney and assist with preparing the office budget.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform job related duties as assigned or apparent.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• High level of skill related to writing, editing and proofing business English, spelling, and grammar.
• Knowledge of and experience with the proper formats to be used in the preparation of legal forms and documents.
• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of criminal complaint and juvenile petition.
• Knowledge of various courts and their procedures.
• Knowledge of relevant State and County departments.
• Skill at performing sustained and accurate typing (60 wpm) of technical and legal materials.
• Ability to transcribe legal dictation quickly and accurately from transcription equipment.
• Knowledge of applicable software applications.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in decision-making.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively and strong public relations skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to accurately identify operational problems and solutions.
• Ability to support maintenance of a team-oriented environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Two-year paralegal degree plus three years of experience in legal office setting;
•  Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.

Required Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Minnesota driver’s license with proof of insurance.

 Preferred Education and Experience

• Four-year paralegal degree.

 Preferred Certificates

• Notary public.

Relationships

• Regular interaction with County staff.
• Law Enforcement for discovery, to coordinate trial and hearing witnesses.
• Social Services staff to collect for Medical Assistance, deal with mental health and chemical dependency commitments, and to secure child support.
• Pre-petition patients for chemical dependency and mental illness to determine eligibility for benefits.

 Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervision of employees.

 Working Conditions

• Work is mainly performed in an office and courtroom setting.
• Work may involve contact with angry or hostile individuals including mentally ill and chemically dependent individuals.
• Work may be depressing, due to contact with victims and witnesses, particularly as they relate to child abuse, domestic abuse, homicide, or chemical dependency and MI cases.
• Occasionally requires driving with little advance notice to attend pre-petition screening meetings at various hospitals within the county.
• May need to work outside of normal working hours.
  
  

Physical Requirements Of This Position

• Desk work involving use of a computer, telephone, and other devices.
• Communicate effectively with County staff, the public, court personnel, employees, victims, witnesses, and others.
• Ability to read screens and documents.
• Ability to drive in various light and weather conditions.
• Ability to type and use a computer or mobile device.
• Office work may include reaching for documents, grasping documents, standing, walking, and repetitive motions.
• Lift and carry files and material weighing up to 25 pounds.

Equipment Required to Perform This Job

• Computers
• Telephones
• Mobile devices
• Motor vehicles

 Additional Notes

• All positions at McLeod County are subject to a background check. This may include, but is not limited to, the following checks:  criminal history, credit, driver’s license, pre-employment physical assessment, pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and psychological testing.