Paralegal jobs in Champaign, IL

Description

Do you possess a keen legal mind and excellent organizational and research skills? Are you looking for an opportunity to delve deep into a variety of legal topics that make a real impact to our community? If this sounds like you, then consider applying today to be a Paralegal with the City of Champaign Legal Department. This is a part-time, 30 hour per week position.

Responsibilities of Position

The Paralegal is a key paraprofessional role in the City’s in-house legal team working with City Attorneys and all City Departments in a wide range of legal areas. The Paralegal performs case management and litigation support including analyzing fact situations for legal issue identification, drafting complaints, assisting with legal strategy, and preparing witnesses for civil and ordinance violation cases. The Paralegal shares responsibility for ordinance violation and building/property maintenance cases. They work independently and interact with a variety of stakeholders, such as residents, attorneys, police, court personnel, and law clerks.

Required Qualifications

• A certificate from an American Bar Association-approved Paralegal/Legal Assistant Program such as the National Association of Legal Assistants or a comparable organization; or
• A Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Legal Studies from a certified degree-awarding institution or its equivalent; or
• A Bachelor’s degree in any program plus three years of experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, or an equivalent position; or
• A combination of education and experience that is substantially similar to the above.
• Proficiency in legal research and writing.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Municipal or closely related governmental legal experience.
• Experience or familiarity with criminal and/or civil law and procedure.
• Familiarity with E-filing and local court rules.
• Experience with municipal legal case management.

Drug screening and criminal background check will be required. The annual starting salary range is $53,028 - $60,368, depending on qualifications, plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Applications, including a cover letter and one professional writing sample that demonstrates analytical skills, must be submitted online. For first consideration, apply by Sunday, April 28, 2024. Position will remain open until filled. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the second half of May, 2024.

Other Information

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.

The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.

These values guide our work:

Personal Integrity
We act in the best interests of the City
We behave in an ethical and legal manner
We are open and honest
We follow through on commitments
We are loyal to the City

Responsibility
We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities
We take initiative
We act to prevent and solve problems
We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions
We hold ourselves and others accountable

Respect
We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner
We actively listen and seek understanding
We provide a direct response
We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace
We are positive and cooperative
We are willing to apologize

Teamwork
We know and respect our roles and responsibilities
We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately
We define and agree upon the goals
We collaborate to achieve organizational goals
We help others accomplish their goals
We share authority, responsibility, and credit

Results
We take pride in our work
We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget
We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance
We learn from our mistakes
We innovate

This position is classified as Non-Bargaining Unit Non-Exempt.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City offers employee's a robust Health Alliance HMO plan.

The City of Champaign pays up to $580 of the employee (single) health insurance premium and 50 percent of the dependent premium for continuous full-time employees or 25 percent of the dependent premium for continuous part-time employees. Premiums for single employee coverage above $580 per month are shared by the employee and the City. For the 2024/2025 plan year, NBU employees contribute 1.2017 percent of their salary for the HMO plan. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends effective the date of employment separation.

Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at champaignil.gov/salaries.

DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE

Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).

The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan.

Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.

Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at champaignil.gov/salaries.

LIFE INSURANCE

The City provides a $25,000 term life insurance policy for full-time non-bargaining unit non-exempt employees and a $13,000 policy for part-time employees. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.

• Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.
• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.
• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.
• Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.

o Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.

o Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.

PENSION

Illinois state law requires that eligible municipal employees be covered by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Employee contributions to IMRF are 4.5 percent of salary and are tax-deferred. For 2024, the City contributes 6.46 percent of eligible employee's salaries to IMRF. In addition, IMRF members are covered by Social Security (FICA). Obtain additional information by contacting IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF. Employees are eligible to contribute additional funds to IMRF through Voluntary Additional Contributions. Contact HR for details.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)

A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for NBU employees. NBU employees participate in a mandatory contribution of 1 percent of pre-tax salary into an RHS investment account. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents. Note: Upon separation, a mandatory 50 percent of accrued vacation, compensatory and payout-eligible sick leave will be contributed to your RHS balance.

HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

PERSONAL LEAVE

At the beginning of each fiscal year July 1st, continuous full-time employees are credited with three personal days (24 hours); personal days are pro-rated for continuous part-time employees. Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year. Personal leave during the first year of employment varies based on the date of employment.

VACATION

Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service and pro-rated for part-time employees. Vacation may be taken after six months of employment. Requests for leave to be taken during the initial six months of employment must be approved by the employee's supervisor and may be permitted through a combination of personal leave, unpaid leave, flex time, and/or compensatory time.

SICK LEAVE

Continuous full-time employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month); sick leave accrual is pro-rated for continuous part-time employees. The maximum accumulation of sick leave is 1,200 hours.

LONGEVITY PAY

Employees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees' base wage rate.

CREDIT UNION

Employees may join the Credit Union I. Payroll deduction for savings and credit union loan payments are available as well as a deduction for a savings bond program and Christmas Club. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Credit Union directly at (800) 252-6950.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400).