Salary: $24.03 Hourly
Location : Courthouse Complex - Frederick, MD
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: FY24-00689
Department: Circuit Court
Division: Family Law
Opening Date: 06/20/2024
Closing Date: 7/3/2024 4:00 PM Eastern
JOB INFORMATION

Non-exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday ; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. may require some evening work; full-benefits; grant-funded

This Legal Assistant position is assigned to provide administrative and clerical support and legal analysis, legal research to the Family Services Law Attorney and occasionally to the Family Services program. The legal assistant will interview litigants, review documents, prepare documents for review, and assist with organizing and preparing litigants for hearings. This position is located in a fast-paced environment and must perform client based interviews, case screenings, and must be able to handle sensitive-confidential information and comply with laws, rules, guidelines and procedures. This position may encounter difficult topics and exposure to domestic violence, child abuse, and animal abuse. This position reports to the Family Services Family Law Attorney and is supervised by the Family Services Administrator.
Pursuant to Section 2-501 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, this position serves at the discretion of the Circuit Court Judges. This means that this position is at will and that either an employee, or the court, may terminate the employee relationship at any time, with or without cause. There are no contractual relationships between the Circuit Court and an employee; letters, benefit or policy statements, performance evaluation, handbooks, or other employee communications should not be interpreted as such. The at-will relationship remains in full force and effect notwithstanding any statements to the contrary made by court personnel or set forth in any documents.
Frederick County Government recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service (effective 7/1/2024)
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.

Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, etc.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Greet and assist clients seeking legal assistance from the Help Center with a professional demeanor, both virtually and in-person
• Perform initial interview/intake of litigants
• Review case information to narrow legal issues based on facts collected
• Draft and prepare legal documents for review and approval by attorney
• Research and analyze applicable substantial and procedural law
• Assist with providing and requesting discovery; assist with organizing and hearing preparation
• Maintain and track names of clients, including walk-ins, and search database to find matches with past clients
• Schedule virtual meetings with client and attorney
• Track client information for case progress
• Maintain inventory of center supplies, brochures, and other written material; review on-line resources for accuracy regarding Family Services available; oversee law library resources
• Open and close center daily; arrange furniture, post notices, prepare devices for use, etc.
• Assist clients with organizing and preparing for trial explicitly as directed by Family Law Attorney
• Perform research of related case information and any resources that may be available within the community
• Assist parties with the public assess computers; provide direction to sites and resources available
• As needed, provide administrative support to the Family Law Attorney and Family Services Supervisor
• Assist with overseeing and giving direction to Interns
• As needed, provide administrative support to the Family Law Attorney and Family Services Supervisor
• Perform data entry, filing, reception duties; including answering phone calls and emails
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Associate's degree
• Minimum 2 years progressively responsible administrative work experience in a court or legal environment
• Experience working with the public
• Intermediate skills in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
• NOTE : Additional related work experience may substitute for a portion of the education requirement

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of legal terminology and preparation of legal documents specifically Family Law
• Knowledge of Maryland Court documents and filing process with Maryland Courts
• Ability to narrow legal issues based on facts collected
• Ability to effectively perform legal research and summarize findings
• Ability to communicate effectively with attorney's, associates, clients and other agencies; provide support and assistance as needed
• Discretion and impeccable judgment in dealing with sensitive information and confidential matters
• Ability to deescalate angry or distraught visitors
• Ability to think clearly and maintain a pleasant, professional demeanor under crowded and chaotic conditions (e.g., children crying or misbehaving, multiple people insisting on your attention, simultaneously)
• Ability to create and edit forms, court documents, tables, signs, spread sheets
• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities, perform multiple tasks concurrently, and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision and instruction
• Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, with the ability to effectively create, update, and maintain paper and electronic files, records and filing systems
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with internal and external professionals and with the public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Para-legal certification or degree from an accredited institution and/or related education/experience pertaining to the legal field
• Maryland Judiciary work experience
• Work experience with family law matters
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit and perform repetitive motions; occasionally walk and reach; and rarely stoop, lift up to 20 pounds and drive
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Available to work evenings and varied hours when needed

EXAMINATION MAY INCLUDE:

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews
3. A pre-employment job observation
4. A background check conducted through Maryland Judiciary

This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.
Health Insurance :
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.
Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.
Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.
Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.
Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.
Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.
Leave
Annual Leave - Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 - 2 years 11 days
2 - 10 years 17 days
10 years 24 days
Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.
Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.
Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.
Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.
For additional information on Frederick County Governments benefit package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at
All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.
01

Which best describes your level of education?

• Less than high school diploma or equivalency
• High school diploma or equivalency received
• Some college
• Associate's degree or higher received

02

Have you earned a para-legal certification or degree from an accredited institution and/or related education/experience pertaining to the legal field?

• Yes
• No

03

Which describes your level of proficiency with MS Office Suite software?

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

04

How many years of progressively responsible administrative work experience do you have?

• Less than 2 years
• 2 years work experience
• 3 years work experience
• 4 or more years work experience

05

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the requirement.
06

Was your progressively responsible administrative work experience in a court or legal environment?

• Yes
• No

07

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the requirement.
08

Do you have experience working with the public?

• Yes
• No

09

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the requirement.
10

Do you have Maryland Judiciary work experience?

• Yes
• No

11

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the preference.
12

Do you have work experience with family law matters?

• Yes
• No

13

Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the preference.
14

Do you have bilingual skills in English and Spanish?

• Yes
• No

Required Question