Senior Paralegal
Senior Paralegal
SALARY: $6800 - $8266/mo.
FILING DEADLINE: September 25, 2026
THE POSITION
Under direct supervision, incumbents perform a variety of complex and difficult paralegal services pertaining to civil and/or criminal litigations on behalf of the City of Fresno. Senior Paralegal is an advanced working/lead specialized class in the City Attorney’s Office. Incumbent prepares complex and difficult legal documents and pleadings, including proposed interrogatories, replies to interrogatories and summaries of deposition and trial testimony transcripts, and responses to Public Records Act requests.
Incumbents also prepares real estate documents, complex contracts, Public Records Act request responses; conduct investigative work, respond to citizen complaints and participate in a variety of administrative proceedings. The Senior Paralegal work involves frequent public contact, lead direction to other paralegal staff ensuring City codes, regulations, policies and procedures are enforced; ability to present and appear before the hearing officer and/or administrative bodies for administrative appeals, exercise sound, independent judgment, and discretion within general guidelines and operating parameters.
One vacancy exists in the City Attorney’s Office. Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.
THE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination.
Completion of a paralegal training program from an accredited school, and four (4) years of paralegal experience in a law office;
OR
Completion of two (2) years of juris doctorate course work from a school of law, which included course work in writing and research, contracts and civil procedure, and (2) two years of paralegal experience in a law office.
A copy of degree, college transcripts or course work must be uploaded and included in your on-line application for verification of meeting the educational requirement. Applicants lacking the documentation may be rejected.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required at time of appointment. Candidates considered for hire must provide proof of a valid driver’s license and current copy of their driving record.
The selected eligible candidates certified will be required to successfully pass a Department interview and a Department of Justice fingerprint prior to employment with the City of Fresno, and sign a confidentiality agreement
THE EXAMINATION PROCESS
The examination process may consist of the following:
Application Review - Qualifying Only: Applications submitted will be reviewed and a limited number of the most qualified candidates will be invited to the panel interview. Selection of the most qualified candidates will be based upon those applications demonstrating the greatest breadth and depth of applicable training, experience, and education. Therefore, applicants are urged to submit sufficiently detailed information in their application materials for a proper evaluation.
Oral Examination - (100%): A panel of subject matter experts will conduct a job related oral examination to assess a candidate's knowledge of legal terminology and procedures related to the court systems and civil process; ability to conduct research, prepare legal documents and make clear and persuasive oral presentations; exercise sound, independent judgment and establish effective working relationships or other topics related to a candidate’s training, experience and qualifications for the position of Senior Paralegal. Candidates must achieve a passing score to qualify for the eligible list.
The Oral Examination is tentatively scheduled for the week of October 12, 2026.
PAY, BENEFITS, & WORK SCHEDULE
BENEFITS: UNIT 13 Classification – City of Fresno Professional Employees Association (CFPEA)
HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE: 60 hours per fiscal year for exempt employees.
ANNUAL LEAVE: Accrue 15.5 hours per month with cash out provisions.
SUPPLEMENTAL SICK- 40 hours per fiscal year. 80 hours lifetime maximum
HOLIDAYS: Ten (10) City-observed annual holidays plus birthday and two (2) personal days.
LIFE INSURANCE: Benefit equal to annual salary; premium paid by the City.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY: Benefit equal to 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days of disability; premium paid by the City.
BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $100 per month
HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: To reimburse retirement medical insurance and qualified medical expenses.
RETIREMENT: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other CA public agencies. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.
DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.
Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at
https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1
HOW TO APPLY
Please visit www.fresno.gov/jobs to apply. ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS ARE ACCEPTED and must be submitted by midnight on the closing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.
ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail. All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application. Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis.
It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the junk mail or spam folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders as well. For other City of Fresno employment opportunities, please view our Careers Homepage. Effective April 1st, 2026, the City of Fresno is transitioning to a new recruitment system, NEOGOV. An account in the new system will be required to apply for the City of Fresno job opportunities after this date. If you have recruitment questions, please call our office at 559-621-6950. Our office is located at 2600 Fresno Street, Room 1030, Fresno, CA 93721.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period. Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service. Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested. Qualified veterans who pass the examination will have five (5) points added to their final score.
EOE
The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.