Skills & Competencies for Paralegal I

JOB SUMMARY for Paralegal I

Assists and supports attorneys with research and document preparation for court proceedings and legal transactions.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Paralegal I

Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to research and analyze legal topics. Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and contracts. Conducts fact-finding, data collection, and analysis used to prepare statements and arguments. Assists attorneys with depositions, interviews, discovery, and investigations. Manages, organizes, and archives documents with software tools and technology. Applies specialized legal terminology appropriately in documents.

Paralegal I SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$68,189
TOTAL 50%
$70,477
Job Level
P01
Job Code
LE11000024
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Attorney

Paralegal I Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Paralegal I skill and competencie below to view definitions.

10 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Paralegal I

1 Job Family Competencies – Document Management
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-Capturing, tracking, storing, and retrieving digital information to organize files, improve accuracy, and provide easy access to documents.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists commonly used software in document management for accurate record tracking and storage.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports the configuration of document management systems for a centralized repository.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Uses the document management system database to maximize document storage and review functions.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Recommends solutions to resolve document risks to prevent document losses and misfiling.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Mentors relevant teams responsible for electronic and physical documents to drive efficiency in document management.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Proofreading
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Reviewing and examining text to make the content error-free and communicate the correct message to the target audience.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists proofreading tools and processes to achieve total accuracy and attention to detail.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Selects appropriate tools and techniques for proofreading.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Verifies submitted paperwork by proofreading to ensure logical flow and coherency.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Provides proofreading and editing initiatives to improve sentence structure and diction.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes and supports the process for proofreading to achieve a well-defined communication goal.
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3 Paralegal I - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Paralegal I
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Paralegal I
Proficiency Level - 5

8 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Paralegal I

1 Core Competencies – Gathering Information
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Accumulating necessary information from various resources to clarify the situation or make an informed business decision.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Names commonly used tools and techniques for data collection.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Obtains needed information by asking skillful and persistent questions.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Utilizes various tools and technologies to validate information acquired from different sources.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Synthesizes information from various sources to enable strategic decision-making by our leadership.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Takes steps to ensure that the intellectual property rights of others are not violated.
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2 Core Competencies – Knowledge Management
Proficiency Level -1
Skill definition-The process of identifying, using, sharing, and maintaining an organization's intellectual assets, best practices, product innovations, etc. to improve organizational performance.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists the basic types and functions of knowledge management systems and tools.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Updates the knowledge databases regularly to keep the contents up to date.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Utilizes knowledge databases and management tools to communicate complex information to internal and external clients.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Provides internal training and consulting on KM concepts and methodologies.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Stays current on the latest knowledge management trends and best practices; drives changes within our business.
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3 Paralegal I - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Paralegal I
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Paralegal I
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Paralegal I skills and competencies

There are 0 hard skills for Paralegal I.
10 general skills for Paralegal I, Document Management, Proofreading, Commercial Law, etc.
8 soft skills for Paralegal I, Gathering Information, Knowledge Management, Learning Agility, etc.
While the list totals 18 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Paralegal I, he or she needs to be proficient in Gathering Information, be proficient in Knowledge Management, and be proficient in Learning Agility.

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