Entry Level Paralegal Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 2026 SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS SECTION REGARDING POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED FINAL FILING DATE: AUGUST 14, 2026, AT 12:00 PM SALARY INFORMATION Paralegal I: $4,063 - $5,186 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $23.44 - $29.92 APPROXIMATE HOURLY* Paralegal II: $4,501 - $5,745 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $25.97 - $33.15 APPROXIMATE HOURLY* This position is in the UPEC - General bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The District Attorney's office is comprised of three main units: The Prosecution Unit, the Bureau of Investigations, and the Crime Victims Assistance Center. The District Attorney acts as the public prosecutor for all crimes committed in Shasta County. The Prosecution Unit evaluates all reported crimes to determine if sufficient evidence exists to prosecute individuals for felony and misdemeanor offenses.

In those cases where the prosecution unit finds sufficient evidence, a criminal prosecution is undertaken. The District Attorney is empowered to conduct independent investigations. The investigators employed by the District Attorney are sworn peace officers who work in the Bureau of Investigations.

The Crime Victims Assistance Center (CVAC) meets the needs of victims in our community through collaborative services provided with courteous, efficient professionalism. The goal is to graciously serve our community members by assisting and advocating for safety, healing, justice and restitution. CVAC provides support and resources to people in our community who have been victimized.

The criminal justice process is often confusing and overwhelming and our CVAC unit helps victims navigate the process. The office is also supported by a Fiscal team, in-house IT department, Community Education team, and administrative professionals. These hard-working individuals ensure efficient operations throughout the department and provide support for their specific units.

Learn more about the District Attorney's office: ABOUT THE POSITION Paralegal I: Under close supervision of attorney staff, provides paraprofessional legal support work including legal research and legal document preparation requiring knowledge of legal theory and procedures and to perform related duties as required. Paralegal II: Under general supervision of attorney staff, provides paraprofessional legal support work including legal research and legal document preparation requiring knowledge of legal theory and procedures and to perform related duties as required. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Paralegal I: This paraprofessional classification performs a variety of legal tasks under the supervision of attorney staff.

Incumbents will generally receive assignments involving the preparation and analysis of legal documents, routine legal research and application of technical knowledge involving legal theory and procedures. Incumbents may also train clerical staff. Paralegal I is the entry-level paraprofessional classification in the Paralegal series.

Initially under immediate supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine paralegal duties. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work decreases as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II-level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.

Paralegal II: This paraprofessional classification performs a variety of legal tasks under the supervision of attorney staff. Incumbents will generally receive assignments involving the preparation and analysis of legal documents, routine legal research and application of technical knowledge involving legal theory and procedures. Incumbents may also train clerical staff.

Paralegal II is the fully qualified journey-level paraprofessional classification in the Paralegal series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate for this position is: Highly organized and detail-oriented A strong communicator who can work cooperatively with attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, outside agencies, and the community Experienced in criminal prosecution or a strong interest in prosecution work Experienced in legal research, writing, and analytical work Comfortable preparing and assisting with a wide range of legal documents Experienced in reviewing discovery and trial transcripts, as well as familiarity with resentencing petitions, expungements, and registration relief, is highly desirable The successful candidate will be: Proactive, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Able to demonstrate sound judgment and discretion with confidential information, and have a commitment to providing high-quality support to attorneys EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Paralegal I/II: Performs paralegal services for attorney staff; researches legal issues and reviews statutes and other municipal codes/ordinances, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and other documents; drafts routine pleadings, briefs, appeals and other litigation related documents including, but not limited to, petitions, complaints, answers, and declarations; reviews and summarizes deposition and hearing transcripts; assists staff in tracking existing and proposed legislation; provides legislative history and status reports; contacts attorneys and others to coordinate calendars, meetings and the conduct of legal business; organizes and maintains litigation and non-litigation files and materials; organizes document control in situations involving voluminous documents; may appear in court in a support capacity for attorneys; performs related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following: Paralegal I/II: Knowledge of: Procedures involved in finding relevant material in standard legal reference books; methods and techniques of legal research, discovery and fact investigation; civil procedure; principles of legal writing legal concepts, terminology, phraseology, forms, documents, principles, procedures and practices; federal, state, and local court processes and procedures; general operation of the court system; computer equipment and applications utilized by the department; office methods and practices, procedures, supplies and equipment; proper English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation; business correspondence and report writing; basic principles and techniques of training and supervision. Ability to: Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information; understand and carry out complex oral and written directions; independently gather information and prepare reports and correspondence; research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents to legal issues; organize large amounts of data, facts and research; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; read and understand federal and state court decisions, statutes, regulations and legal documents; draft legal documents and pleadings; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; interpret and apply laws, rules and written and oral directions to specific situations requiring the use of independent judgment and minimal supervision; use sound judgment within the scope and limit of authority delegated; manage assigned workload; operate personal computers and utilize computer applications used by the department; establish and maintain cooperative work relationships; follow workplace safety policies and procedures.

Work primarily in an office environment including sitting at a desk working with computer equipment, on the phone and in meetings for prolonged periods; regularly working with files and with general office equipment; travel to and take notes in court. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below. Paralegal I: Two (2) years of secretarial or clerical office support experience preparing a variety of legal documents in a public or private law office.

Paralegal II: Two (2) years of paralegal experience comparable to a Paralegal I with Shasta County. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Paralegal I/II: Possession of a valid California driver's license. A paralegal shall possess at least one of the following, as required by Business & Professions Code, section 6450: (1) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association.

(2) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. (3) A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. (4) A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.

This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003. Additionally, incumbents in this class are required to fulfill the mandatory continuing education requirements as defined by the California Business and Professions Code, section 6450 (d). SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

Do you possess two (2) years of secretarial or clerical office support experience preparing a variety of legal documents in a public or private law office. Yes / No If "Yes," please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If "No," type N/A.

Do you possess two (2) year of paralegal experience comparable to a Paralegal I with Shasta County. Yes / No If "Yes," please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If "No," type N/A.

Please select all of the following that you possess: A certificate of completion from a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association. A certificate of completion from a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.

A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003. None of the above I acknowledge that if I did not include the appropriate attachments to support my response to supplemental question number 3, my application may not be considered for advancement.

Yes / No I acknowledge this position is in an office that works closely with victims of crime and that some tasks required in this role may involve reading police reports, hearing stories about victimization, exposure to graphic materials, and speaking with victims on the phone or in person. Yes / No I acknowledge this position requires a valid California driver's license. Yes / No PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of...