County of Sonoma
Position Summary
Under general supervision, this position assists self‑represented litigants in assessing legal problems, explaining the correct legal procedure, and preparing legal forms and instructional materials. It promotes self‑help services through community outreach and creates promotional content for social media. The role also performs clerical and administrative duties as required.
Applicants who are fluent in Spanish receive a $1.55 hourly bonus. Upon successful completion of the probationary period and demonstration of proficiency, the position may be reclassified to Court Legal Assistant II, providing an approximate 4.9% increase to base wage.
Typical Duties
Assist pro‑representative litigants from diverse backgrounds with legal matters in person and remotely.
Interview and triage pro‑representative litigants, assess their legal problems, determine appropriate next steps, and make referrals.
Prepare legal forms for pro‑representative litigants prior to court filing.
Provide one‑on‑one or group workshops explaining court filing processes and legal procedures.
Identify non‑routine cases, seek guidance from supervising attorneys, and assist litigants accordingly.
Review submitted forms and documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with statutes and rules.
Design informational content for social media accounts.
Create, maintain, and update written materials for public distribution.
Maintain logs, records, and statistical data for grant‑funding purposes.
Assist managing attorneys and other staff as directed.
Qualifications
Knowledge of California law, statutes, codes, court processes, and rules of court relating to pro‑representative litigants.
Proficiency in legal research, analysis, and writing.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Strong interpersonal skills, including trauma‑informed interviewing techniques.
Ability to work independently and as part of a fast‑paced, customer‑service environment.
Effective collaboration with court employees, community agencies, and external partners.
Independent judgment within established guidelines and strong prioritization and project‑management skills.
Highly Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Fluent in Spanish (reading, writing, speaking).
Familiarity with civil law matters such as harassment restraining orders, elder abuse restraining orders, small claims, unlawful detainers, debt collection, and name/gender changes.
Knowledge of community agency services that support self‑represented litigants and underrepresented populations in Sonoma County.
Education and Experience Baccalaureate (or higher) degree in any subject, plus a minimum of one year of law‑related experience under an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least three years, and a written declaration from that attorney confirming qualified paralegal task performance.
OR
Certificate of completion of a paralegal program with at least 24 semester units of law‑related coursework, accredited by an appropriate accrediting organization, or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, or an ABA‑approved program.
OR
High school diploma or general equivalency diploma, plus at least three years of law‑related experience under a supervising attorney meeting the same criteria, plus a written declaration confirming qualified paralegal task performance.
Process to Apply Please apply online at:
http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/info/jobs . The selection procedure includes supplemental questionnaire screening and a panel interview. Submit a cover letter, resume, and completed supplemental questionnaire. Include a full work history for the past ten years and any additional relevant experience.
Accommodation Applicants with a disability requiring special assistance should email humanresources@sonomacourt.org during the selection process.
Benefits Retirement Plan Participation in the Sonoma County Employee’s Retirement Association (SCERA), a 1937 Act Retirement Plan based on PEPRA. 2025/26 mandatory contribution: 7.7% for employees, 29.9% for the Court.
Vacation Leave Full‑time employees accrue vacation at 3.5 hours per pay period for the first two years, increasing annually. Maximum accrual is 376 hours.
Sick Leave 12 days per year, with unlimited accumulation.
Holidays 14 paid fixed holidays per year plus 24 floating holiday hours.
Insurance Health coverage (Vision, Dental, Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability) paid 92% by the Court. Three health plan options: Health Net PPO, Health Net HMO, Kaiser Permanente HMO.
Life Insurance $50,000 Term Life Insurance provided; additional coverage may be purchased.
Deferred Compensation Employees may contribute to a 457 Deferred Compensation account up to the IRS limit.
Dependent and Medical Care Assistance Programs Participation in tax‑exempt programs for pre‑tax salary reimbursement of qualifying expenses.
Employee Assistance Program Program details to support employee well‑being and work‑life balance.
Equal Opportunity Employer The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma is committed to creating a diverse environment and an open, inclusive culture free from bias. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Applicants who are fluent in Spanish receive a $1.55 hourly bonus. Upon successful completion of the probationary period and demonstration of proficiency, the position may be reclassified to Court Legal Assistant II, providing an approximate 4.9% increase to base wage.
Typical Duties
Assist pro‑representative litigants from diverse backgrounds with legal matters in person and remotely.
Interview and triage pro‑representative litigants, assess their legal problems, determine appropriate next steps, and make referrals.
Prepare legal forms for pro‑representative litigants prior to court filing.
Provide one‑on‑one or group workshops explaining court filing processes and legal procedures.
Identify non‑routine cases, seek guidance from supervising attorneys, and assist litigants accordingly.
Review submitted forms and documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with statutes and rules.
Design informational content for social media accounts.
Create, maintain, and update written materials for public distribution.
Maintain logs, records, and statistical data for grant‑funding purposes.
Assist managing attorneys and other staff as directed.
Qualifications
Knowledge of California law, statutes, codes, court processes, and rules of court relating to pro‑representative litigants.
Proficiency in legal research, analysis, and writing.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Strong interpersonal skills, including trauma‑informed interviewing techniques.
Ability to work independently and as part of a fast‑paced, customer‑service environment.
Effective collaboration with court employees, community agencies, and external partners.
Independent judgment within established guidelines and strong prioritization and project‑management skills.
Highly Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Fluent in Spanish (reading, writing, speaking).
Familiarity with civil law matters such as harassment restraining orders, elder abuse restraining orders, small claims, unlawful detainers, debt collection, and name/gender changes.
Knowledge of community agency services that support self‑represented litigants and underrepresented populations in Sonoma County.
Education and Experience Baccalaureate (or higher) degree in any subject, plus a minimum of one year of law‑related experience under an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least three years, and a written declaration from that attorney confirming qualified paralegal task performance.
OR
Certificate of completion of a paralegal program with at least 24 semester units of law‑related coursework, accredited by an appropriate accrediting organization, or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, or an ABA‑approved program.
OR
High school diploma or general equivalency diploma, plus at least three years of law‑related experience under a supervising attorney meeting the same criteria, plus a written declaration confirming qualified paralegal task performance.
Process to Apply Please apply online at:
http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/info/jobs . The selection procedure includes supplemental questionnaire screening and a panel interview. Submit a cover letter, resume, and completed supplemental questionnaire. Include a full work history for the past ten years and any additional relevant experience.
Accommodation Applicants with a disability requiring special assistance should email humanresources@sonomacourt.org during the selection process.
Benefits Retirement Plan Participation in the Sonoma County Employee’s Retirement Association (SCERA), a 1937 Act Retirement Plan based on PEPRA. 2025/26 mandatory contribution: 7.7% for employees, 29.9% for the Court.
Vacation Leave Full‑time employees accrue vacation at 3.5 hours per pay period for the first two years, increasing annually. Maximum accrual is 376 hours.
Sick Leave 12 days per year, with unlimited accumulation.
Holidays 14 paid fixed holidays per year plus 24 floating holiday hours.
Insurance Health coverage (Vision, Dental, Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability) paid 92% by the Court. Three health plan options: Health Net PPO, Health Net HMO, Kaiser Permanente HMO.
Life Insurance $50,000 Term Life Insurance provided; additional coverage may be purchased.
Deferred Compensation Employees may contribute to a 457 Deferred Compensation account up to the IRS limit.
Dependent and Medical Care Assistance Programs Participation in tax‑exempt programs for pre‑tax salary reimbursement of qualifying expenses.
Employee Assistance Program Program details to support employee well‑being and work‑life balance.
Equal Opportunity Employer The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma is committed to creating a diverse environment and an open, inclusive culture free from bias. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr