| Location | Sacramento, CA |
| Salary | $37.08–$45.03 Per Hour |
Paralegal - Self Help Unit
Salary
$37.08 - $45.03 Hourly
Location
William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
2026-12447
Department
Court Wide
Opening Date
08/13/2026
Closing Date
8/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Under supervision of a licensed attorney, the Paralegal performs a wide range of legal tasks and may assist the attorney in preparing legal documents and delivering other legal services. This includes conducting legal research, drafting various documents such as pleadings, judgements, orders and contracts, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Paralegal is a journey-level classification that is assigned tasks more technical and complex than those of a Judicial Secretary, but below the level of a Research Attorney. The Paralegal performs a variety of sophisticated tasks, relieving licensed attorneys from time-consuming legal responsibilities, which can be appropriately delegated to specially skilled, non-licensed personnel.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Drafts, prepares, files, and serves notices of deposition, subpoenas, at issue memoranda, and other simple legal documents to relevant parties.
Coordinates and schedules witnesses to ensure availability to testify at trials.
Drafts and prepares routine correspondence associated with case files, including letters, emails, and other communications necessary for case management.
Meets with self-represented litigants individually or in groups to provide information and assistance with navigating through court processes; prepares and presents workshops regarding court procedures and requirements.
Conducts simple legal research, including the location of statutes, shepardization of cases to ensure validity, and computerized legal research utilization.
Compiles, organizes, and analyzes data from investigative and other reports, depositions and other discovery documents, correspondences, and other sources.
Interviews clients and potential witnesses to gather information relevant to legal proceedings.
Drafts and prepares complaints, contracts, resolutions, ordinances and other legal documents for review and approval by licensed attorneys.
Develops and maintains organized filing systems for particular caseloads, ensuring easy access to relevant documents and information.
Prepares case files for trial, including the drafting of summaries of witness testimony from source documents, and organizing and assimilating documentary exhibits for introduction into evidence, using computer assistance where applicable.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
Education: A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association or from a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester (or equivalent) units in law-related courses. The postsecondary institution must be accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
Or II
Education: 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.
Or III
Education: A Bachelor's degree or higher in any subject.
AND
Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of law-related experience under the supervision of an active California State Bar certified attorney. A written declaration from this attorney stating that the applicant is qualified to perform paralegal tasks is required.
Or IV
Education: A high school diploma or equivalent.
AND
Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of law-related experience under the supervision of an active California State Bar certified attorney. A written declaration from this attorney stating that the applicant is qualified to perform paralegal tasks is required. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003.
Knowledge of:
The mechanics of legal research; types and functions of basic pleadings associated with lawsuits; governmental application process, in particular the judicial branch, court system, and administrative process; civil procedures and rules of the court; the meaning of legal terminology; principles of correct and accepted grammar, punctuation, and spelling; and editing and drafting skills.
Ability to:
Read and understand statutes, court decisions, legal documents, and similar material; prioritize tasks and meet statutory timelines; identify legal parties in compliance with statutory requirements; read with comprehension and understanding; use effective written, verbal and/or electronic communication; diffuse challenging situations using effective interpersonal and customer service skills; reason logically; analyze situations accurately; compose and write explanatory memoranda and business correspondence; learn fundamental legal principles applicable to particular types of lawsuits; identify and apply relevant facts related to legal principles of due process; use computerized legal research equipment; operate various office equipment including computers; analyze and express facts in an organized and understandable manner; read, write, and speak English at a level necessary to understand and work cooperatively with judicial officers, attorneys, social workers, social services supervisors, clerical staff, technical staff, and the general public.
LICENSE CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT:
Continuing Education Requirement: Incumbents assigned to the Paralegal class are required to certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in legal ethics every three years. Every two years, all paralegals are required to certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing education in either general law or in a specialized area of law. All continuing education courses must meet the requirements of California Law, Business and Professions Code, Section 6070.
Other Information
TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This classification requires the ability to sit for periods of up to four (4) hours, stand for periods of up to four (4) hours, work on a computer for periods of up to four (4) hours, and the ability to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with other staff and the public.
OTHER REQUIREMENT
Must be able to pass a criminal history information background check.
To view the Sacramento Superior Courts Benefits Summary Sheet please click here.
The following is an explanation of the benefits, which apply to those employed in regular or limited-term positions:
Vacation: Vacation with pay varies depending upon the employee representation unit. New employees typically earn 10 days per year and accrual rates normally increase according to years of service.
Holidays: The Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento recognizes 14 holidays and 5 floating holidays per year.
Sick Leave: Employees accrue 5.0 hours per bi-weekly pay period.
Parental Leave: Employees with at least 1 year of service are eligible for paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
Retirement: Employees are covered by the Sacramento County Employees Retirement System (SCERS) and Social Security.
Group Health Insurance: The Court offers several choices of employee and dependent health insurance coverage, with a significant portion paid by the employer.
Dental and Vision Services Plan: Employee and dependent dental and vision insurance plans are provided at no cost.
Life Insurance: Basic employee life insurance is provided at no cost to the employee with additional optional life insurance available at the employees cost.
Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts: The ability to deduct a portion of your salary before taxes to apply toward medical expenses and/or child care expenses.
Deferred Compensation: The Court offers a Deferred Compensation Program.
Sacramento Credit Union: The credit union offers loan facilities and systematic savings plans through payroll deduction.
Tuition Reimbursement: The Court reimburses up to $3,000.00 dollars of an employees educational expenses as outlined in its Tuition Reimbursement policy.
Long Term Disability: A Long Term Disability (LTD) plan is provided at no cost to employees.
Transit Subsidy: The Court provides a transit subsidy to eligible employees based on current policy.
01
Paralegals working for the Sacramento Superior Court must meet the requirements of Business and Professions Code, Section 6450. Explain how you meet these requirements, citing the specific section of the statute that applies to your qualifications. Attach any supporting documentation, such as a copy of your paralegal certificate, a copy of your post-secondary transcript, and/or a letter from an attorney attesting to your experience and qualifications. Note- Applicants who do not include the necessary supporting documentation will not be considered for an interview.
02
Describe your training and experience working in Family Law, including any experience with governmental child support or domestic violence. Include the specific tasks you performed in each area.
03
Describe any experience you have working in a court-based Self Help Center or Family Law Facilitator's Office, including internships or Justice Corps membership. What was your role, how long were you there and what tasks did you perform?
04
Why do you want to work as a paralegal at the Self Help Center in the Family Relations Court?
05
Describe your experience working as part of a collaborative team. How do you engage with supervisors and colleagues?
Required Question
Employer Sacramento Superior Court
Address 500 G Street
Sacramento, California, 95814
Phone (916) 874-7828
Website https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/