Paralegal

This position involves specialized legal research and/or confidential administrative work involving (1) the drafting, reviewing, and negotiating legal documents such as contract, grants, leases, purchase agreements as well as researching and writing legal memoranda. memo as well as additional transactional materials that involve police matters or public safety interests, and (2) strong organizational and communication skills as well as a the ability to work independently is also required. 

An employee in this class is responsible for performing specialized legal work of considerable difficulty requiring initiative and independent judgement under general direction of the Tampa Police Department Legal Advisor. Responsibilities will vary depending on the current needs of the department but will include if assigned; areas that involve providing assistance to attorneys by investigating the facts of the case, identifying appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials necessary to determine the merits of a proposed issue; reviewing law files to determine if cases are appropriate for mediation or arbitration; preparing legal memoranda, general correspondence, reports, and legal arguments; assisting in drafting pleadings, trial and appellate briefs, and land use and zoning documents; and analyzing data, discovery documents (to include medical records), preparing tables, compilations, and graphs for presentation in court. The employee will also use a computer to establish and maintain a fully indexed and cross-referenced database of briefs, memoranda and other legal materials, refer attorney and lay persons to appropriate legal research material; provide guidance to departmental personnel concerning the conduct of legal research, coordinate the preparation of documentation material for civil litigation cases; and administer law enforcement cost recovery programs such as the impounded vehicles program and the felony vehicle forfeiture program. The employee may serve as a liaison between attorney, mediators/arbitrators and the public, responding to questions and providing information as needed. If assigned area does not involve litigation, duties involve providing assistance to attorneys responsible for handling transactional matters, procurement, land use, real estate, public safety, utilities, public works, public art, environmental issues, finance, elections, ethics and public records. Duties may include conducting comprehensive legal research; assisting attorneys in drafting, reviewing, and editing legal documents related to municipal transactions; assisting administrative departments that generate a high volume of transactions in the preparation and processing of documents for approval by City Council through the City’s OnBase software; assisting attorneys in preparing for land use hearings. Regardless of assigned area, the employee will also be required to function at times as a legal assistant to wit; answer telephone calls and emails, coordinate meetings, depositions, hearings and mediation. Work is reviewed through observation, conversation and evaluation of results achieved. Appointed unclassified, non-exempt position.

Explain routine legal requirements, standard programs and policies; file and maintain documents and other data requested by assigned attorney(s) in the conduct of official city business.

Monitor pending cases to avoid delay or default in filing pleadings; assists in maintaining the Legal Library for the legal staff.

Compile, type and edit reports, resolutions, ordinances, drafts, legal briefs, contracts, declarations, pleadings, motions and other legal documents; assist assigned attorney(s) in drafting , reviewing and negotiating agreements, grants, leases, policies, summarizing depositions, managing document production, performing legal research, and preparing for hearings. 

Administer various programs such as the impounded vehicle program, ensure compliance with Florida Statutes regarding notifications to owners and others; administer felony vehicle forfeiture program; conducts research and initiate the process for transfer of police seized monies to the Law Enforcement Trust Fund, monitor and assist with responding to public records requests.

Conduct comprehensive legal research on municipal laws, regulations, transactional matters, documentary research such as archives, microfiche, and information sharing with other municipalities and assemble authorities, statutes, regulations, court opinions, etc., to assist attorney(s) in supporting legal opinions and in represent client departments.

Assist attorney(s) in drafting, reviewing, and editing legal documents related to municipal transactions, including memoranda, correspondence, agreements, resolutions, ordinances, legal opinions, and ensuring documents comply with federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations.

Maintain accurate and organized records of municipal transactions. Assist in the preparation of reports and documentation for regulatory compliance. Receive, review and organize legal requests from client departments. Maintain files for attorney(s). Prepare Legal Files reports (monthly tracking sheets). Create, enter and shepherd agenda items through OnBase (City’s web-based software system) for City Council (CC) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings. Following CC and CRA meetings, prepare and track documents for execution by Mayor.

Communicate with client departments, government officials, and external partners on transactional and public safety matters. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure seamless execution of municipal transactions and public safety matters.

Perform related work as required.

Considerable knowledge of: the laws of Florida; the principles, practices and methods of legal research; a strong background in transactional legal matters; some experience in state, local government law and/or criminal law, excellent organizational skills; a strong understanding of municipal laws, regulations, and procedures; and proficiency in legal research tools and software such as Westlaw.

Ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; compile, analyze and organize data and information; be detail-oriented with strong organizational and multi-tasking abilities; access and use automated databases; work effectively and collaboratively with others in a fast-paced legal environment; work independently.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor. 

Associate’s degree from an accredited paralegal program and five (5) years of experience in the subject area related to the aforementioned areas of responsibility. For positions in the Police Legal Unit, one (1) year of college and three (3) years of experience in business and/or administrative support functions.

Possession of a valid driver’s license may be required. Paralegal certification by the Florida Bar or another accreditation entity is preferred.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

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