Temporary Paralegal I/II

Full Job Description

The County of Riverside's Human Resources Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) seeks three Temporary Paralegal I/II's for the Law Offices of the Public Defender located in Riverside and Indio.

The Paralegal I is the first working level classification in the Paralegal series and typically reports to an attorney or supervising attorney and may receive lead oversight by a Senior Paralegal in collaboration with an attorney. Incumbents are expected to perform basic and routine duties where the majority of the duties can be learned in a brief period of time, are clearly defined and have established guidelines which required minimal interpretation. Incumbents are responsible for performing work that is of substantive legal impact under the direction and technical review of an attorney. Essential duties include filling out legal petitions, collecting records, drafting declarations, and interfacing with clients and attorneys.

The Paralegal II is the journey level classification in the Paralegal series and typically reports to an attorney or supervising attorney and may receive lead oversight by a Senior Paralegal in collaboration with an attorney. Incumbents perform the full range of paralegal duties requiring a greater legal knowledge and skill in support of complex administrative, civil or criminal cases and perform work that is of substantive legal impact under the direction and technical review of an attorney.

The ideal candidate is compassionate, communicates effectively, and builds rapport with the public. Bilingual (Spanish) candidates are preferred; a language proficiency exam may be administered to qualified applicants.

Meet the Team!

It is the mission of the Law Offices of the Public Defender to provide the highest quality legal representation to any person unable to afford it for criminal, juvenile, or certain civil proceedings.

The Public Defender strives to preserve human dignity in all cases where citizens' liberties are at stake.The Public Defender is dedicated to the principle that no citizen shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without competent, professional, and vigorous representation so that due process is implemented fairly, equitably, and without prejudice.

The Public Defender is headquartered in Riverside, with additional offices providing support to residents in Banning, Blythe, Murrieta, and Indio.?

About TAP
The Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) recruits and hires temporary employees for all County departments. TAP assignments are a great way to learn about working for the County while working on a temporary, at-will basis.

Click here to learn more about TAP: https://rc-hr.com/temporary-medical-assignment-program-tapmap

TAP Benefits: https://rc-hr.com/files/users/user116/COR_2026_TAP_Guide_FINAL.pdf

Requirements

• Research and analyze law sources (i.e., statutes, ordinances, court decisions, criminal pleadings, police reports, legal documents, and articles) for use in preparing legal documents (i.e., briefs, pleadings, contracts, deeds, opinions) for review, approval and use by an attorney.

• Interview witnesses, defendants and others in civil or criminal cases for pre-trial or pre-hearing declarations; respond to propounding discovery and discovery requests. 

• Correspond with clients and witnesses; collect client background information; assist in the identification of rehabilitative placement resources; research and identify placement resources for alternative sentencing of clients and assist in the placement therein of clients.

 • Draft motions, memoranda of points and authorities, interrogatories and answers, complaints and answers, cross-claims, affidavits, briefs, and declarations. 

 • Review legal documents and forms for completeness and conformance to specific requirements set forth in applicable legal codes. 

 • Review and process requests for criminal record background information in order to determine the existence or non-existence of prior convictions; obtain criminal record information and related documents and screen for legal sufficiency.

 • Gather factual information and perform routine legal research to assist an attorney in determining appropriate legal action. 

 • Perform preliminary analysis of legislative bills and research legislative histories. 

 • Summarize, organize and index prior opinions, testimony, depositions, and documentary material from interrogatories; organize and index trial documents; prepare exhibits and assist attorneys at trial by keeping track of exhibits, testimony and documents.

Qualifications

Paralegal I
Education: Successful completion of the education required by the State of California pursuant to the California Business and Professions Codes Chapter 5.6 Paralegals 6450 (c).

Experience: None required.

Knowledge of: Principles of civil and criminal law and their application; legal research methods and techniques; preparation of briefs and opinions; resources available in a law library; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; County government functions and legal responsibilities.

Ability to: Perform legal research; interview witnesses; analyze legal problems; prepare drafts of legal documents; present statements of fact and law; argue clearly and logically in written and oral form; interpret applicable state and federal codes, laws and statutes; work cooperatively with others.


Paralegal II
Education: Successful completion of the education required by the State of California pursuant to the California Business and Professions Codes Chapter 5.6 Paralegals 6450 (c).

Experience: One year equivalent to a Paralegal I with County of Riverside or in a law office performing paralegal duties that demonstrates possession of the knowledge and abilities relevant to the specific assignment.

Knowledge of: Principles of civil and criminal law and their application; legal research methods and techniques; preparation of briefs and opinions; resources available in a law library; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; County government functions and legal responsibilities.

Ability to: Perform legal research; interview witnesses; analyze legal problems; prepare drafts of legal documents; present statements of fact and law; argue clearly and logically in written and oral form; interpret applicable state and federal codes, laws and statutes; work cooperatively with others.

Additional Information

Other Requirements

License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.Must maintain a current paralegal certification or degree by certified completion of the mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) post-employment standards.

The Paralegal series is required to certify completion of MCLE credits every two years pursuant to the California Business and Professions Code Chapter 5.6 Paralegals 6450 (d).

What's Next?
Open to All Applicants
This recruitment is open to all applicants.

For questions regarding this requirement
Please contact Cindy Mendez at 951-955-3528 orcmendez@rivco.org. For general inquiries, please allow up to 2 business days to receive a response.