| City of Minneapolis |
| Division of Employment, Development & Diversity |
| 250 South 4th Street Suite 100 |
| Minneapolis, MN 55415 |
| 612/673-2282 |
| 612/673-2508 Fax |
| Website: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us |
PARALEGAL
Exam # 20815 - Open Tuesday, May 24, 2011 through Monday, June 6, 2011
| Hourly |
Step 1 |
Step 2 |
Step 3 |
Step 4 |
Step 5 |
Step 6 |
Step 7 |
| *SALARY: |
$19.016 |
22.926 |
24.109 |
25.456 |
26.832 |
28.466 |
30.100 |
*Salary Steps are based on the January & June, 2010 Salary Schedule.
POSITION INFORMATION:
- There is currently one (1) non-exempt, full-time vacancy to be filled in the Criminal Division of the City Attorney’s Office.
- Incumbent may have to perform duties in various sites.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Perform a broad range of professional paralegal duties as requested / assigned for the City Attorney’s Office.
Job Duties:
- At the Criminal Division, typical duties will include: obtain police reports, witness statements, medical records, and other documents and materials necessary for trial preparation; acquire and prepare evidentiary documents and other court documents; compile data and prepare reports; respond to correspondence and telephone calls from attorneys and members of the public; interact with law enforcement, other criminal justice personnel, and members of the public; conduct defendant criminal history searches; locate victims and witnesses; conduct interviews of victims and witnesses and perform legal research; cooperate with prosecutors in criminal trial preparation; and other duties as requested / assigned.
Working Conditions: Normal office setting or at various other sites.
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED:
Dates: 05.24.11 through 0 6.6.11 Contact: City of Minneapolis Human Resources Office
Phone: 612.673.2282 Email Address: jennifer.thoreson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
SELECTION PROCESS:
Any one or any combination of an evaluation of related education/experience/supplemental &/or screening questions’ responses/etc., an oral exam, etc. may be utilized (100%). Decisions concerning an applicant’s qualifications will be based on information received by the established application closing date. Be thorough while completing the application, in submitting supporting documentation, in responding to the Supplemental & Screening questions, etc. The right is reserved to limit the number included in any phase. Interview may also include work simulation exercises, candidate assessments, etc.
NOTE: Prior to interview, you may be required to submit a recent, field-related writing sample which you composed.
Background/Qualifications Checks, Drug/Alcohol Test, Supplemental Questions’ Responses, Cover Letter, Screening Questions’ Responses: All required; see below
Resume: You may submit a resume along with the required, official City of Minneapolis application.
ELIGIBLE LIST WILL EXPIRE ONE (1) MONTH AFTER BEING ESTABLISHED.
The City of Minneapolis is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
| |
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY |
| |
MPEA (CPE) ’08-‘10 Pass: 70.0 |
| |
Top Three (3) Scorers + Rule of List |
| |
AC/bz:jt |
- – REQUIREMENTS, ETC., CONTINUED ON THE BACK. – -
REQUIREMENTS: Anyone may apply.
Experience:
- Two (2) years of full-time experience as a Paralegal or in a comparable position. Experience is highly desired in performing legal research, in performing investigative interviews, in preparing and organizing legal documents / materials for use by attorneys, and in utilizing databases to organize, retrieve, and index materials for use in legal matters / proceedings. Bilingual skills would be desired.
- Note: Fully describe the duties / functions you actually performed, your level of responsibility, etc. in each pertinent area and for each place of employment referenced throughout your application packet.
Education:
- Graduate of an American Bar Association-approved Paralegal or Legal Assistant program.
- Note: You will be requested to submit proof of education during this selection process. Interview may not be granted without proof of successful completion. You are strongly encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (showing successful completion of coursework) now with your application.
Equivalency:
- An equivalent combination of related education/experience may be considered.
- Note: If attempting to meet minimum qualifications in this manner, be certain to heed the two (2) “Notes” directly above.
Supplemental Questions:
- REQUIRED. You must respond to the attached Supplemental Questions. Your responses must be received by us by no later than the established application closing date. Without them, your application will be deemed as incomplete and it will be rejected.
Screening Questions:
- REQUIRED. You must respond to the attached Screening Questions. Your responses must be received by us by no later than the established application closing date. Without them, your application will be deemed as incomplete and it will be rejected.
Cover Letter:
- REQUIRED with application. Must submit a cover letter along with the required, official City application.
- Note: Without a cover letter, your application will be deemed as incomplete and not processed further.
Background Check:
- The City has determined that a thorough Police Department background check/investigation and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign informed consent forms allowing the City to obtain their criminal history, etc. and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
Drug / Alcohol Testing:
- All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.
Other Specifications:
- Knowledge of the criminal justice systems and of administrative and court procedures.
- Able to use databases to organize, retrieve, and index material for use in legal matters and proceedings.
- Computer literacy with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Good analytical skills and the ability to analyze information obtained.
- Ability to work under pressure and deadlines and to meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to work with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
REQUIRED SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE
PARALEGAL - Exam # 20815
Printed Name______________________________________________________________________________
You must respond to the following questions and submit this form with the official City application by the established closing date. (Check yes or no and the correct multiple choice response.) Note: Only one response will be considered for each question. For experience indicated to be considered, you must have referenced it, in detail, elsewhere in your application packet.
1. Indicate how much experience you have had as a Paralegal or in a comparable position.
None
Less than one year
One year to 23 months
Two or more years
2. I have graduated from an ABA-approved Legal Assistant / Paralegal program. Yes No
3. Indicate the most advanced ABA-approved program you successfully completed:
Certificate Program
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
4. Indicate how much experience you have had in performing legal research.
None
Less than one year
One year to 23 months
Two or more years
5. Indicate how much experience you have had in performing investigative interviews.
None
Less than one year
One year to 23 months
Two or more years
6. Indicate how much experience you have had in locating victims and witnesses.
None
Less than one year
One year to 23 months
Two or more years
7. Indicate how much experience you have had in preparing and organizing legal documents / materials for use by attorneys for trials and administrative hearings.
None
Less than one year
One year to 23 months
Two or more years
8. Indicate how much experience you have had in utilizing databases to organize / retrieve / index materials for use in legal matters / legal proceedings.
None
Less than one year
One year to 23 months
Two or more years
9. I have submitted a copy of my transcripts, showing successful completion of coursework (with the official City of Minneapolis application). Yes No
10. I am proficient in Microsoft Word. Yes No
11. I am proficient in Excel. Yes No
12. I am proficient in PeopleSoft. Yes No
13. I am proficient with other industry- or field-related software. Yes No
14. I have submitted a cover letter with my application packet, as required. Yes No
Thank you for completing and submitting this required form with your official City of Minneapolis application. (Without it, your application will be deemed as incomplete.) Remember, responses to the SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION questions are ALSO REQUIRED.
Good luck in your continued job search! Working for the City that WORKS!!
_________________________________________________________________________________ __________
Signature Date Paralegal_Scr_Supp Qus. 05.11
REQUIRED: Supplemental Application
PARALEGAL - Exam # 20815
Name: __________________________________ Date:_______
REQUIRED: You must respond to the following and your response must be received by us by the established application closing date.
PURPOSE: The information gathered from your responses to this supplemental application will be used during the application screening / evaluation process for the above-named position. Please answer the series of questions below. Be specific and detailed in explaining in what capacity you worked, by whom you were employed, duties you actually performed, your level of responsibility/involvement, your proficiency level, etc.
NOTE:
- ”See Resume”, “See Application”, etc., is not an acceptable response when answering these questions.
- If you have not had specific experience in a particular area, indicate with “No Experience.” Leave no question blank.
- For experience indicated in your responses to be considered, you must clearly tie it to work experience explained elsewhere in your application packet.
- Responses must be received by jennifer.thoreson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us (Fax # 612.673.2508) by the established application closing date listed on the Job Announcement.
- Be certain that your name, position title, and this exam number are on each of your response pages.
1. a) Please describe what in your background makes you an excellent candidate for this position.
b) Include a summary of your prior work experience and the duties you performed.
(Do not exceed 200 words.)
2. a) What attracts you to this position over other Paralegal positions?
b) Why would a prosecuting agency be the best fit for your knowledge and skills?
(Do not exceed 200 words).
3. Describe what constitutes an ideal work environment. (Do not exceed 200 words.)
4. Briefly summarize any work experience you have in the following and indicate by whom you were employed:
a) Performing legal research (for litigation) and what your role entailed.
b) Performing investigative interviews and the aspects of the process in which you were involved.
c) Your responsibilities in preparing / organizing legal documents / materials for use by attorneys at trials / hearings.
d) Identify various computer databases you used to organize / retrieve / etc., materials for use in legal matters / proceedings only.
e) Drafting briefs/reports/other correspondence for legal research / investigations / litigation / etc.
5. Other than English, please explain your fluency level in reading, writing, and/or speaking any other language (including American Sign Language).
6. Describe experience you have working with people from diverse cultural and / or socio- economic backgrounds.
7. List the name and current telephone number of three (3) individuals who can verify your responses to the above questions. Also, indicate their relationship to you, by whom they are employed, and their job title.
Your responses should be submitted to jennifer.thoreson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or mailed / faxed (to her attention) to the address / number listed on the official Job Announcement. To be considered, they must be received by us by the established application closing date. Thank you. Paralegal_20815_Scr_Supp Qus. 05.11
