Senior Paralegal bei City of Fresno, CA

About the Department

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION. PLEASE VISIT WWW.FRESNO.GOV/JOBS TO APPLY. 

THE POSITION

Under direct supervision, incumbents perform a variety of complex and difficult paralegal services pertaining to civil and/or criminal litigations on behalf of the City of Fresno.   Senior Paralegal is an advanced working/lead specialized class in the City Attorney’s Office.  Incumbent prepares complex and difficult legal documents and pleadings, including proposed interrogatories, replies to interrogatories and summaries of deposition and trial testimony transcripts, investigates facts, conducts legal research, prepares witnesses, draft memos, and responds to complex Public Records Act (PRA). 

The Senior Paralegal work involves frequent public contact, lead direction to other paralegal staff ensuring City codes, regulations, policies and procedures are enforced. A Senior Paralegal must have the ability to present and appear before the hearing officer and/or administrative bodies for administrative appeals and small claims court, exercise sound, independent judgment, and discretion within general guidelines and operating parameters.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Prepares complex and difficult legal documents and pleadings relating to civil and

criminal litigation, including proposed interrogatories, replies to interrogatories and

summaries of deposition and trial testimony transcripts.

Prepares and responds to complex Public Records Act requests, including reviewing

and analyzing records for production.

May plan, assign, and review the work of Paralegals; instructs paralegal staff in work

procedures.

Responds to inquiries regarding case management status and data using a computer

terminal for locating information.

Organizes trial and/or hearing documents and exhibits.

Briefs witnesses for trial and/or administration hearings.

Conducts investigative work, including the interviewing of potential witnesses and the

inspection of property relating to a claim or complaint by or against the City.

Participates in show cause, grievance and/or disciplinary hearings.

Represents the City Attorney's Office before administrative hearing officers and/or

administrative bodies for administrative appeals.

Assists in enforcement of City codes, regulations and procedures.

Performs legal research of electronic and printed legal resource material and drafts legal memoranda

Prepares contracts, deeds of trust and leases, and performs title searches.

Investigates and responds to citizen complaints involving violations of the Fresno

Municipal Code and prepares cases for criminal prosecution.

Performs related duties as required.

Full job description available to be viewed at:

https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Senior-Paralegal_01_17.pdf

Two vacancies exist in the City Attorney’s Office to work on in-house litigation cases and matters in the Litigation Unit.  Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.

THE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination. 

Completion of a paralegal training program from an accredited school, AND four (4) years of paralegal experience in a law office; 

OR

Completion of two (2) years of juris doctorate course work from a school of law, which included course work in writing and research, contracts, and civil procedure, AND (2) two years of paralegal experience in a law office.  
 
 A copy of degree, college transcripts or course work must be uploaded and included in your on-line application for verification of meeting the educational requirement. Applicants lacking the documentation may be rejected.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required at time of appointment. Candidates considered for hire must provide proof of a valid driver’s license and current copy of their driving record.    

The selected eligible candidates certified will be required to successfully pass a Department interview and a Department of Justice fingerprint prior to employment with the City of Fresno, and sign a confidentiality agreement

THE EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination process may consist of the following: 
 
Application Review - Qualifying Only: Applications submitted will be reviewed and a limited number of the most qualified candidates will be invited to the panel interview. Selection of the most qualified candidates will be based upon those applications demonstrating the greatest breadth and depth of applicable training, experience, and education. Therefore, applicants are urged to submit sufficiently detailed information in their application materials for a proper evaluation. 

 Oral Examination - (100%): A panel of subject matter experts will conduct a job related oral examination to assess a candidate's knowledge of legal terminology and procedures related to the court systems and civil process; ability to conduct research, prepare legal documents and make clear and persuasive oral presentations; exercise sound, independent judgment and establish effective working relationships or other topics related to a candidate’s training, experience and qualifications for the position of Senior Paralegal. Candidates must achieve a passing score to qualify for the eligible list. 

The Oral Examination is tentatively scheduled for the week of November 3, 2025.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION. PLEASE VISIT WWW.FRESNO.GOV/JOBS TO APPLY. For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application but is recommended. 

ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail. All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application. Verify 

we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis. Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the "junk mail" or "spam" folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders as well. 

Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason. FOR THIS RECRUITMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PERMANENT FRESNO CITY EMPLOYEES APPLY THROUGH PEOPLESOFT SELF SERVICE.HOW TO ATTACH DOCUMENTS TO OUR ONLINE APPLICATION: 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR DOUCMENTS TO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION: 

1. Your document must first be scanned and saved to a computer or thumb drive (save as the 

document name)

2. Then go to www.fresno.gov/jobs > City of Fresno Jobs > Apply On-Line

3. Enter the same Login Information (Username & Password) that is going to be used for the 

job you are applying to.

4. Under the section My Career Tools (located towards the top of the page), Select Cover 

Letters & Attachments and then Add Attachments towards the bottom.

5. For Attachment Type, choose the most appropriate option (i.e., DIPLOMA/TRANSCRIPTS 

or DD214)

a. If you do not see an appropriate choice, you may use Reference Attachments. 

Under Attachment Purpose, you can TYPE a description. 

6. Then Select Add Attachment and hit the Browse button to locate your attachment

7. Once you have selected your attachment, select Open, hit Upload, and then Save & 

Return

8. After you confirm your attachment has been uploaded, then proceed to fill out your online 

application.

PAY, BENEFITS, & WORK SCHEDULE

BENEFITS: UNIT 13 Classification – City of Fresno Professional Employees Association (CFPEA)

HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.

MANAGEMENT LEAVE: 60 hours per fiscal year for exempt employees.

ANNUAL LEAVE: Accrue 15.5 hours per month with cash out provisions.

SUPPLEMENTAL SICK- 40 hours per fiscal year. 80 hours lifetime maximum

HOLIDAYS: Ten (10) City-observed annual holidays plus birthday and two (2) personal days.

LIFE INSURANCE: Benefit equal to annual salary; premium paid by the City.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY: Benefit equal to 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days of disability; premium paid by the City.

BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $100 per month

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: To reimburse retirement medical insurance and qualified medical expenses. 

RETIREMENT: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state.   Reciprocity with other CA public agencies. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.  

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program):an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years.  Participation minimum is age 50 and vested.  Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at 

https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period.  Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service.  Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested. Qualified veterans who pass the examination will have five (5) points added to their final score.

EOE

The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.