Job Description

Posting number: 26-00107

Department: Office of the City Attorney

Job classification: PARALEGAL

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Paraprofessional, Attorney, Office and Administrative Support

Summary

The position opens Wednesday, September 23, 2026, and the final filing date is Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 75 qualified and complete applications, whichever is first.

The City of Sunnyvale is seeking a regular, full-time Paralegal to join the Office of the City Attorney. The ideal candidate will be a skilled paralegal with experience in legal research and transactional and litigation duties. This position will draft and edit contracts, resolutions and ordinances, coordinate with City departments in responding to Public Records Act requests, draft discovery responses, prepare administrative records, and assist attorneys with management of their case/project files.

Individuals in this classification receive a 3.5% confidential premium which is included in the rates displayed.

City of Sunnyvale Benefits:

• CalPERS retirement pension
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Retiree medical benefit
• 11 paid Holidays
• 30 hours* of Floating Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals
• Employee Wellness Programs
• And MORE!

(*Prorated based on date of hire)

Under general supervision of the City Attorney, the Paralegal performs a broad range of paraprofessional legal, administrative and clerical duties to support the Office of the City Attorney.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The position of Paralegal is a fully qualified journey-level technical classification. This classification supports the City Attorney and attorney staff, and performs directed basic legal and/or factual research in support of specific cases or projects; drafts, prepares and manages legal documents and records, information databases and office files; identifies, collects and organizes documents and records; conducts investigations; works with clients; manages legal deadlines; and performs other administrative and budget support functions, as assigned. The Paralegal also may supervise assigned support staff. This classification differs from the lower-level classification of Legal Secretary in that the Legal Secretary classification performs a wide variety of complex and confidential legal secretarial services, including litigation support, for the Office of the City Attorney.

Examples of duties

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Performs specialized legal administrative duties including preparation and management of legal documents.
• Prepares drafts of contracts, leases, permits, ordinances, resolutions and amendments for review by professional and managerial staff.
• Performs routine legal research and compiles data from such references as digests, encyclopedias, practice manuals, or other sources.
• Assists with Public Records Act requests and other inquiries from the public.
• Collaborates with City departments to ascertain the volume and nature of records responsive to Public Records Act requests and monitors deadlines for timely production of responsive records, assists attorneys in identifying responsive records exempt from disclosure, performs and coordinates redaction of information exempt from disclosure in responsive records.
• Assists in the preparation of form complaints, declarations and other basic pleadings.
• Prepares a variety of other materials, including correspondence, reports, charts, spreadsheets, and statistical data for review by professional and managerial staff; coordinates and may perform related statistical and clerical work, including typing, word processing and data entry.
• Gathers documents from departments in response to discovery related requests, organize exhibits, documents related to litigation, as assigned.
• Maintains a master calendar of pre-trial and trial dates as assigned.
• Coordinates the gathering of information from various departments in the preparation of contracts and other legal documents; reviews and proofreads contracts and other legal documents to ensure necessary provisions are included.
• Collects, compiles and utilizes technical information to make recommendations to staff attorneys; compiles, organizes and analyzes various data for use in reports or other documents.
• Coordinates and monitors overall office activities and work flow ensuring timely completion of clerical and administrative support; performs administrative detail, such as coordinating and scheduling activities; acts as liaison with other City departments, as assigned.
• Establishes and maintains confidential files and record keeping systems; maintains calendars; processes documents appropriately.
• Maintains and updates legal library and other manuals and resources materials, City Attorney Office website, and performs other general clerical services.
• Using Prolaw, organizes and maintains legal records and office files by legal subject, litigant name, case record, and by type of legal service request, case, or action.
• Serves as contact or resource person in answering questions and complaints; provides information related to the work of the office to the public, law firms, courts, and various entities.
• Assists City personnel in answering questions regarding legal documents, procedures, filings, and the status of various cases and legal actions.
• Maintains and updates the City's Municipal Code.
• Supervises assigned support staff.
• Assists in department budget preparation and budget administration.
• Respond to and assist with inquiries from the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, books and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements maybe accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in one of the following ways:

• Certificate of completion from any paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association; OR
• Completion of a degree or certificate of completion of a paralegal program from an accredited post-secondary institution that requires completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses. The degree or program must also have accreditation from a national or regional accrediting organization or approval from the Bureau for Private Post-secondary and Vocational Education; OR
• Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in any subject from an accredited college or university and one year of law-related work experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney; OR
• Associate's degree in any subject from an accredited college or university and two consecutive years of law-related work experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney; OR
• Graduation from high school or tested equivalent and three consecutive years of law-related work experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

Knowledge of:

• Modern legal office practices, procedures and terminology.
• General legal principles and application.
• Legal proceedings, court practices, and the proper handling of legal documents.
• City ordinances, contracts, codes, and labor contract provisions.
• Methods of legal research and legal research materials.
• Basic data gathering and analysis techniques.
• Various legal document formats and presentations.
• Municipal government operations.
• Court rules relating to preparing and filing legal documents, including time frames.
• Modern office equipment and designated specialized computes software and operating programs.
• Case files and records management practices.
• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, composition and punctuation.
• Recordkeeping, proofreading, and filing practices and procedures.
• Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.
• Basic budgetary systems and procedures.

Ability to:

• Prepare legal records, reports, documents.
• Perform basic legal research
• Perform arithmetic calculations.
• Maintain confidential data and information.
• Accurately interpret and analyze information.
• Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
• Organize and set priorities within areas of assigned responsibility; complete assignments in a timely and accurate manner.
• Compile, prepare and maintain clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain accurate records, databases and other related legal and office administrative support files.
• Organize and maintain specialized legal files.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, public officials and the public.
• Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in performance of duties.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential personnel issues and employee situations.
• Learn the operation, policy and procedures of the City Attorney's office.
• Deal with City officials, employees and the public concerning matters which involve a high degree of sensitivity and confidentiality.
• Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.

Willingness to:

Complete mandated training and continuing education, including at least four hours of legal ethics and four hours of general or specialized law courses every two years. Supervising attorneys certify that paralegals have completed the continuing education requirements.

Licenses/Certificates:

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• California paralegal certification.
• Experience in a law office of a California public agency.

Supplemental information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESS

The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume, employment history provided elsewhere in the application, or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the posting will close after receiving 75 qualified and complete applications or by Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 5:00pm, whichever is first.

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026. (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in an in-person selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of November 9, 2026.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts) and a written declaration from a supervising attorney that states the candidate is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense to determine its equivalency in the United States. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this classification are not represented by a bargaining group and are designated as confidential: CONF Benefits

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job - YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or recruitments@sunnyvale.ca.gov.