Legal Assistant – District Court

Job Description

Legal Assistant – Prosecutor’s Office
Full Salary Range:
Step 1 $3,468.15   Step 2 $3,677.27   Step 3 $3,899.40   Step 4 $4,133.20   Step 5 $4,378.70

Hiring Salary Range: Step 1 $3,468.15/mo. – Step 2 $3,677.27/mo. DOE

**Required: Submit a cover letter and resume with the employment application**

Benefits include: Subsidized medical insurance for the employee. Optional dental, vision, and medical coverage for dependents. Washington State retirement pension is applicable, plan choices vary. County-paid benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program, and 12 Company-paid holidays. Pend Oreille County offers a wide range of optional benefits, we are sure that there is a plan to suit your needs.

 

JOB SUMMARY:    This position performs varied legal support work and receptionist duties for the District Court Division of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Responsible for word processing of standard legal documents and other routine clerical support work in the legal office environment. Works cooperatively and effectively with law enforcement, the public, and other County employees.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  None

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Provide administrative support to the District Court Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and the Prosecuting Attorney as needed.
• Provide administrative support to other staff attorney’s as necessary.
• Proofread documents prepared by attorneys.
• Assist attorneys in the preparation of exhibits for use at trials or hearings.
• Prepare and type legal documents and correspondence; processes documents to meet legal requirements and deadlines; files documents with the various state, federal, and appellate courts, commissions and boards; forwards documents to other agencies/parties as necessary.
• Set up and maintain legal files and filing systems; files and retrieves information and materials as necessary.
• Manage legal discovery by assisting with the collection, documentation and tracking of discovery documents and digital media to ensure compliance with court rules.
• Enters data in case management system; proof and correct work entered; retrieve information from case management system or hard files.
• Locates, reviews and retrieves information from various software systems.
• Answer all incoming calls on the office main phone line and assist the person calling, or transfer call to appropriate staff member.
• Handle initial contact with all County, city, and state officials, policy officer, attorneys, and the public in a professional and courteous manner.
• Direct people to appropriate person, department or organization.
• Process and distribute all incoming and outgoing mail when Office Manager is unavailable.
• Mark all documents “Received” with date stamp that are provided at the office window.
• Monitor incoming fax documents for the office.
• Close, scan and archive files; purge files of obsolete or incorrect information and perform special projects as directed.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relations as necessitated by work assignment.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Prosecutor / Office Manager.

 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, documents, and principles related to legal support work; Legal office practices and procedures including standard formats.
• Ability to prepare complex legal documents and correspondence using appropriate formatting, terminology and references.
• Knowledge of criminal law.
• Knowledge of rules of civil and/or criminal procedure.
• Knowledge and experience working with procedures of state courts.
• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of basic office equipment and software programs.
• Must possess excellent spelling, grammatical, proofreading and editing skills.
• Ability to accurately and timely manage a high volume of work.
• Ability to manage time and tasks efficiently and effectively and complete projects within deadlines.
• Ability to accurately prepare and process all types of legal documents.
• Ability to accurately keyboard a minimum of 60 words per minute.
• Ability to rapidly prioritize and accurately complete multiple tasks.
• Ability to maintain all ethical and professional standards of the office and county.
• Must observe strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained in course of employment.
• Ability to produce work product that meets professional standards of quality, neatness accuracy, and promptness.
• Ability to maintain necessary records and prepare required documents/reports.
• Must be able to operate standard office equipment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and courteously.
• Must be able to work calmly under pressure, meet deadlines and cope with interruptions.
• Must be able to interact with distraught or difficult individuals.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills for dealing with clients, attorneys, court staff, and the public.
• Able to set up and maintain office files.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree or the completion of an accredited legal secretarial or related program preferred.
• A minimum of one (1) year of work experience in the legal field as a legal assistant, legal secretary or related legal staff support function.  Other education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute for the recruiting requirements.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must be 18 years or older.
2. Maintain a valid driver’s license.
3. Successfully pass security background check and driving record check.
4. Must accurately type 60 words per minute.
5. Must pass all job-related tests.

 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL ABILITIES: 

Work is performed in an office setting and in court rooms. There is daily use of computers and frequent dealings with other Offices and Departments. Position’s duties are performed with frequent interruptions and deadlines. Position may be required to attend professional conferences and meetings outside of the office setting. The workday is Monday through Friday 8am – 4:30pm. Travel within the County is possible. The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak, and lift up to 50 lbs. of unequal weight. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Because of the nature of this position, duties must be performed during regular hours within the department (no telecommuting).

 

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: 

Respectful, courteous, and friendly to customers, other County employees, and County leadership. A team player that helps the organization meet its objectives. Takes initiative to meet work objectives. Effectively communicates with customers and other County employees. Builds relationships with co-workers and managers. Positively represents the County, maintaining the trust County residents have placed in each of us. Demonstrates honest and ethical behavior.