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Employment Status
Exempt - Regular Full-Time
Scope
The City of Surrey is seeking a Paralegal to join a professional and collegial team consisting of solicitors, paralegals and legal assistants to perform a wide array of paralegal functions related to litigation matters, with a focus on bylaw enforcement proceedings, including civil injunctions, prosecutions, and hearings before City Council. The position will have an initial focus on bylaw enforcement but may offer opportunities to work on a broader range of legal matters as the City continues to grow and the Legal Services Division develops.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the City Solicitor in the Legal Services Division of the Corporate Services Department, the Paralegal is responsible for the following:
Drafts petition and application materials, affidavits, pleadings, orders, bills of costs, discovery requests, responses and trial preparation documents.
Schedules meetings, trials, discoveries, hearings, etc. and prepares relevant documentation.
Reviews, gathers and manages documents to be used in proceedings.
Assists in interviews and investigations.
Drafts and prepares correspondence with both opposing parties and client departments.
Prepares and manages the filing and service of court materials.
Exercises a high level of confidentiality and tact.
Exercises independent judgment when working with precedents.
Researches and analyzes a variety of sources such as statues, regulations, court decisions, legal documents and articles for use in preparing materials related to litigation under the supervision of an Assistant City Solicitor.
Photocopying and filing.
General office duties as required.
Other duties as assigned, including handling subpoenas, tax sales, bankruptcy proceedings, on an as needed basis.
Qualifications
Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent, supplemented by a paralegal certificate or diploma by an accredited program
Minimum of 3 years of paralegal experience in litigation
Membership in the British Columbia Paralegal Association is considered an asset
Thorough understanding of litigation, including knowledge of rules and practices relating to the BC Supreme Court.
Experience with other levels of court or administrative tribunals is an asset
Experience with municipal law is an asset
Experience working in a municipal or government environment would be an asset, as would experience with supporting the prosecution or defense of regulatory proceedings.
Experienced in preparing and organizing correspondence and a variety of legal documents ensuring compliance with court
Proven research and legal analysis skills
Strong critical thinking skills, a high level of initiative, and a proactive approach to problem solving
Detail oriented with an excellent ability to multi-task, prioritize, and organize within strict timelines
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to both work collaboratively in a team environment and independently
Organized and meticulous
A high level of proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, PowerPoint, and various document management systems
Ability to work under pressure in a busy environment to meet deadlines
Eagerness to assist with the needs of the office as they arise
Other Information
The City of Surrey has engaged Swim Recruiting to assist in this competition. Interested candidates are asked to apply directly with Swim Recruiting by emailing their resume to Cit
[email protected] . Cover letter is optional.
Conditions of Employment
This position requires completion of a Police Information Check.
Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.
Closing Date
This job will be posted until filled.
Our Values
Integrity - Service - Teamwork - Innovation - Community
