EagleJobs

Job Description

This position is responsible for opening, preparing, organizing, maintaining and monitoring the ongoing status of legal case files. The job requires strong organization skills, attention to detail and knowledge of court systems, proceedings and legal documentation and terminology. Duties vary somewhat with job assignment with civil, felony or misdemeanor cases but include examining and correctly identifying legal documentation for the purpose of preparing legal documents and developing and maintaining full and complete case files. The work is performed under the direction of the Legal Services Supervisor, but latitude is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in performing the duties and responsibilities of the job. The principal duties of the class are performed in a general office environment.

Duties / Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (illustrative only and may vary by assignment)

Works closely with attorneys to ensure their case needs are met correctly, accurately and on schedule;
Manages assigned cases from intake through disposition, including discovery requests and responses, pleadings, data entry, etc.;
Monitors case files to ensure documents are ready for attorneys and data entry is complete and accurate; ensures that documents are filed into appropriate folders; updates and organizes file folders as needed and purges outdated files as directed and according to Department policies and procedures;
Calendars and schedules hearings and appointments for attorneys; schedules and coordinates meetings, Monitors calendar/schedule for required court appearances by staff and notifies staff in meeting scheduled hearing, court date, filing deadline, and other deadline dates;
Provides and manages communications with internal County staff, clients and external agency representatives to continually improve services, schedule appointments and appearances and request related information;
Prepares, formats and proofreads legal documents, correspondence, memos, motions, briefs orders and other legal documents;
Gathers statistics and prepares complex reports;
Researches client information on ISTARS computer system;
Distributes case information and court filings to appropriate attorneys for signatures and/or filing;
Receive notice of hearings, enter hearing date and reasons, notify appropriate others of hearing, monitor file throughout;
Operates standard office equipment, a personal computer, and operates and maintains specialized office and case data entry and tracking systems, and related equipment;
Operates case management system including electronic and paper files, reviews and verifies file notes for accuracy and inputs into case management system;
Answers inquiries and provides information from case files to law enforcement officers, defense attorneys, defendants, and appropriate parties according to Department policies and procedures;
Provides legal secretarial support to attorneys and co-workers as needed and/or requested.
Performs time management and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set project priorities;
Responds to Commissioners', County employees' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate co-workers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
Maintains strict confidentiality in all cases;
Interacts with County employees, customers, visitors and the general public effectively and professionally;
Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures and safety practices;

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Witness attorney/client meetings as needed;
Delivers documents to Court House or other County buildings;
Trains and/or guides other employees in the performance of legal assistant duties;
Performs the work of other legal assistants as needed;
Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for an individual to satisfactorily perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be successful in the position.

Knowledge of:

Legal, court, and judicial procedures, rules, terminology, methods, documents, practices, and objectives;
Operation of standard office equipment including a personal computer and job-related software applications;
Operation of legal case management system;
Department and County policies and procedures;
English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and composition.

Skill and Ability to:

Work cooperatively and constructively with attorneys, co-workers and members of the public to provide public service of the highest quality and quantity;
Perform legal secretarial and administrative support duties involving legal terminology and format;
Operate specialized case management and tracking system and general computer systems;
Transcribe, prepare, and proofread legal documents and exhibits;
Respond appropriately to public inquiries and provide good customer service;
Maintain records efficiently and accurately and to research and prepare clear and concise reports;
Proficiently operate computers, software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or similar office software to create documents and other materials, maintain information, and generate reports.
Listen carefully to, understand, and effectively communicate through oral, written, and interpersonal communication channels.
Follow verbal and written instructions.
Work independently and exercise initiative, with general guidance and supervision.
Use good judgment to make sound and reasonable decisions and problem-solving skills to respond to customer service needs in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established policies.
Maintain a professional demeanor at all times;
Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
Demonstrate integrity and ingenuity the performance of assigned tasks and solving problems;
Perform all duties in accordance with County policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.
Maintain confidentiality.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Graduation from high school, preferably supplemented with an Associate's Degree; and
Minimum of two (2) years legal experience that demonstrates thorough knowledge of the judicial system; or
An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
Must successfully pass background investigation relevant to the position and remain in good standing for the duration of employment with the County.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & 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 classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to keyboard or type, handle materials, or manipulate tools used in performing the classification, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this classification include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities required by this classification include those which permit the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person, by telephone. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee works in an office where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. An employee in this classification may be exposed to interviews, audio recordings and/or photos that are sexually explicit, violent or graphic. 

Benefits

Twin Falls County offers a highly competitive benefits package to full-time employees including holiday pay, paid vacation, paid personal days and paid sick leave. We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as short-term disability benefits, life insurance, and a PEHP plan. We are on the PERSI retirement plan and also offer a Deferred Compensation (voluntary retirement) plan.