Vacancy is in the Department of Development Services. Supervised by the Blight Remediation Enforcement Official (BREO) within Division of Blight Remediation & Housing Code Enforcement of the Department of Development Services. Assist BREO's efforts to manage the department's enforcement process with respect to state and local property standards to remediate blight, zoning, and housing code violations. Perform title searches and research various property records, including Tax Assessor's database and City of Hartford land records. Manage system for mailing notices, processing invoices, and collecting fines and debts for the division. Prepare and draft lien releases and other documents at the direction of BREO and the Director of Blight Remediation. Work collaboratively with Blight Remediation Inspectors to ensure that residents and the community understand property maintenance standards and the enforcement process. Assist in maintaining division records, materials, and supplies. Perform related work as required. The above essential duties and responsibilities are not intended as a comprehensive list; they are intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform additional related duties.
This is a non-union position. The hours of this position are 40 per week and the above salary includes 5% in lieu of overtime.
The examination will consist of a rating of your training and experience as contained on your application and may also include a written test, an oral test, a performance based test, or a combination thereof. All parts of the examination, including tests and ratings, will be related to the requirements of the position. The examination is designed to measure:
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of civil and administrative agency law applicable to practice as a paralegal.
- State and federal court procedures, rules of evidence and burden of proof issues.
- Interview techniques and methods.
- Methods, practices, procedures and requirements for drafting a wide variety of motions, pleadings, statements and other legal documents.
- Methods and techniques of legal research and investigation.
- Principles and practices of legal communication.
- Courtroom and hearing procedures and legal courtesies.
- Standard legal forms and documents and their uses and formatting requirements.
- Community agencies and resources related to assigned cases.
- Legal requirements applicable to the maintenance and retention of employee benefit record keeping.
- Contracts, purchase and sale documents, title issues, and corporate estates.
Ability to:
- Conduct legal research and analyze factual and legal claims and issues including those pertaining to the laws, rules, regulations, procedures and court decisions affecting pensions generally and the City’s Retirement System in particular.
- Understand, explain, and analyze various pension plan provisions of the collective bargaining agreements and the City Charter as directed by the General Counsel.
- Prepare legal documents and legislative memoranda and amendments pertaining to the City’s Retirement System.
- Draft a wide variety of legal documents competently, ensuring that they meet all legal requirements and deadlines.
- Present statements of fact, law and basic argument clearly, logically and concisely.
- Analyze discovery requests, identify legal objections, determine documents responsive to requests and prepare discovery responses in accordance with federal and state legal requirements.
- Read, interpret and apply statutory and legal requirements to the investigation and preparation of cases for trial.
- Work independently, set priorities and organize work to accomplish complex tasks efficiently with stringent deadlines.
- Organize, coordinate and manage large volumes of exhibits and case documents.
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Use windows-based interface and electronic inventory systems.
- Use a high degree of tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned or upset individuals.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervising attorneys, officers of the court, litigants and their attorneys, complainants and others encountered in the course of work.
Open to all applicants who meet the following qualifications:
Possession of a high school diploma (a four- year college degree preferred) or GED and the successful completion of an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal education program and five years of progressively responsible clerical support to an attorney or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess a valid driver's license. A copy of your valid driver's license must be submitted with your application.
A COPY OF YOUR DEGREE OR TRANSCRIPT MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION. A DEGREE OR TRANSCRIPT SUBMITTED WILL BE VERIFIED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.
HARTFORD RESIDENCY PREFERRED.
APPLICATIONS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION SHALL RESULT IN YOUR DISQUALIFICATION.
APPLICATIONS VIA FACSIMILE OR EMAIL ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
If selected, you will be required to pass a physical examination administered by a City physician, a drug and alcohol screening, and a background check. If appointed, you will serve 3-12 months of probation. This examination and employment process is subject to all federal, state, and municipal laws, rules and regulations.
NOTE:ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION CONCERNING THE APPLICATION AND TESTING PROCESS WILL OCCUR VIA EMAIL. IN ADDITION TO CHECKING YOUR EMAIL INBOX FOR RECRUITMENT CORRESPONDENCE, PLEASE ALSO CHECK YOUR JUNK AND SPAM FOLDERS. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE:Preferential Points may be given to Eligible Veterans. Must submit a
Veteran's Preference Form, along with a DD-214 and Disability letter (if applicable) from the Office of Veteran's Affairs.
The Human Resources Department provides reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation in the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department.