Paralegal

• The Paralegal is in daily contact and works closely with the Solicitor to the Board of Assessment Appeals.

• Prepares initial drafts of basic pleadings and other legal documents for the attorney's review and revision.
• Ensures the timely filing of all legal documents at the attorney's direction, monitors list of new cases and processing of court settlements.
• Prepares and files all papers and pleadings with the Prothonotary's office and/or Court Administrator's office, mailing copies to all attorneys and any third parties involved. This includes maintaining a reminder system for important deadlines.
• Conducts legal research using Westlaw and documentary sources as directed by the attorney for the Board and also monitors changes in local and Pennsylvania court procedural rules. Excellent interpersonal skills and communication are important because the paralegal is in daily contact with attorneys, public officials, and the public.
• Organizes the entire hearing process for all real estate exemption applications which includes initial receipt and review of each application, scheduling, preparing a summary of each application to the attorney for the Board and processing hearing notices and decisions.
• In addition to these duties, the paralegal is expected to organize case files to ensure that the attorney for the Board has all relevant information necessary to defend the Board's decisions in court.
• The attorney for the Board provides advice to the entire department on legal-compliance. Therefore, the paralegal will become familiar with the various functions of the department, and their legal underpinnings, in order to assist the attorney with gathering all information required to give sound advice to the department.
• Occasionally, the paralegal will fill in for the front desk receptionists, directing calls and providing assistance to attorneys and the general public.
• The Paralegal assists with special projects throughout the office, as directed by the attorney.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties 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 regularly required to walk, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, finger, feel grasp, talk, see, hear, and perform repetitive motions. The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time. Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm, fingers, and wrists movements. Move and lift light objects up to 30 pounds such as files, supplies and mail. There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant stress.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.