Legal Assistant

TOWN OF APEX

invites applications for the position of:

Legal Assistant

ABOUT THIS POSITION:

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $52,785.00 - 64,662.00

WORK LOCATION: 73 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502

SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

POSTING CLOSING DATE: June 28, 2024

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

In this position, you will perform confidential paraprofessional legal duties and complex administrative support for the Town Attorney and Legal Services Department attorneys. This position performs technical administrative and paraprofessional legal work in support of attorneys in the Town’s Legal Services Department. Work includes conducting legal research, property and owner history research, fact checking, identifying and locating relevant persons; preparing real estate documents including deeds, easements and abstracts of title; reviewing legal documents for form and accuracy; copying, faxing, and scanning correspondence; and maintaining legal files. The employee presents findings with preliminary legal analysis subject to professional legal review. The employee is generally given specific instructions on the goal of each assignment and work is commonly reviewed upon completion by the qualitative assessment of a legal professional. Independent work is also expected. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Town Attorney and requires discretion in dealing with legal matters. Work is evaluated through inspection, conferences, reports, and review of completed work.

This position reports to the Town Attorney.

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

A SAMPLE OF THE ESSENTIALS:

• Drafts a variety of legal documents and communications; proofs for substantive and grammatical accuracy, consistency, tone and clarity.
• Assists attorneys in preparing legal documents and ensures all attachments are included.
• Organizes and processes real estate projects for acquisition of property; works closely with real estate acquisition staff.
• Transmits documents for recording with the Register of Deeds either in person or by e-recording process.
• Conducts research for the legal department using general statutes, town ordinances, and internet sources.
• Performs land title examinations and public records searches, under the direction of the attorneys.
• Identifies and locates people identified in legal processes and assures proper communications.
• Reviews and tracks movement of documents to be recorded.
• Creates and maintains paper and electronic legal files, including lawsuit and appeal files.
• Screens and routes materials according to content of communications; writes responses; researches alternatives; drafts recommendations and related materials from files.
• Supports the department in departmental projects; organizes the administrative work flow; identifies and develops database and other records management systems.
• Assists in preparing and submitting documents for Town Council action or review.
• Provides a variety of administrative / departmental support tasks such as: processing accounts payables; processing department mail, maintaining information on departmental budget; manages department eRecording escrow account; maintaining attorneys’ calendars, scheduling meetings; and screening calls and visitors.
• Works closely with department head in budgeting, purchasing, and procurement of equipment, supplies, and materials for the department; handles contract files for a variety of projects.
• Assists with annual budget preparation.
• Maintains and updates law library.
• Notarizes various documents for Town staff.
• Performs related duties as required.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an Associate’s Degree and a minimum of five years of experience in clerical and office management work, preferably in a legal setting.

Notary Public in the State of NC.

WITH...

• Thorough knowledge of standard office practices and procedures, equipment, and administrative techniques, specifically in the operation of a legal office.
• Considerable knowledge of legal terms, legal research, and related legal resources.
• Considerable knowledge of the process for real estate title examinations.
• Considerable knowledge of word processing, database maintenance, spreadsheet data entry, and other specific information technology applications.
• Skill in customer service including problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Ability to work with confidentiality and discretion.
• Ability to perform legal research in accordance with preliminary instructions as to methods or approach, source material available, and policy and precedent of the office.
• Ability to summarize facts and evidence, and prepare legal instruments.
• Ability to research and analyze deeds, deeds of trust, and other real estate and Register of Deeds documents.
• Ability to communicate clearly and logically in oral and written form.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.

WHAT WOULD SET YOU APART:

In addition to the must-haves listed above, a bachelor's degree, experience with title examination, extensive experience in writing business correspondence, experience maintaining multiple calendars, experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is preferable.

WHO WE ARE:

Known as "The Peak of Good Living", the Town of Apex is a rapidly growing Wake County municipality with a current population of more than 75,000 and was ranked in 2015 as Money Magazine's Best Place to Live in America. Our current workforce is comprised of over 540 full-time employees and over 125 part-time/seasonal staff. Our Human Resources Department - with the support and confidence of Town leadership - is committed to providing best-in-class HR programs for our employees, with a mission to create a culture of empowerment and accountability that maximizes individual and organizational potential. We offer a generous benefits package, and have a highly competitive compensation program. More than that, the Town is an awesome place to work, as evidenced by the 96% job satisfaction rating received in the last employee opinion survey conducted with our employees.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Not only is the Town "The Peak of Good Living", but it's also a great place to work! We strive to "reach the peak" of being an employer of choice by providing competitive salaries and excellent benefits, including:

• Paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees

• 5% contributions to the NC401(k) retirement plans (no matching required)

• Participation in the Local Government Employees' Retirement System (LGERS), 6% contribution by employee

• Traditional sick and vacation leave

• 80 hours Peak Paid Time Off per year (after completion of probation)

• $1,200 Peak Lifestyle Benefit to pay for health and wellness activities (after completion of probation)

• Paid parental, caregiver, and bereavement leave

• 13 paid holidays

• Longevity pay

• Tuition assistance

• Expansive wellness program, and more!

KEEP IN MIND:

Providing a safe work environment for our employees is a top priority, therefore all new hires must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test, post-offer functional testing (if required by position), background verifications including references, criminal record and driver's license checks prior to employment.

The Town of Apex provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation or marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.