What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant position at COUNTY OF DODGE?
Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Starting Wage Range: $24.82/hr. - $27.32/hr.
Department: Corporation Counsel
Position Open Until Filled - Application Review Date: December 12, 2024
Please submit Resume and Cover Letter with application
*Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm*
Looking for a position in a small law office supporting attorneys who perform a wide range of legal services? This position offers a fast-paced, positive work environment with regular hours providing a variety of county legal services.
Dodge County offers a generous benefits package including:
- Paid Time Off (PTO) – available for use after 30 days of employment
- 10 observed paid holidays
- Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) – with employer contributions - HRA
- Life insurance, Long-term disability and Flex spending
- Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) – an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides customer service to internal and external customers; greets, receives and screens visitors and customers; addresses and resolves customer questions as able and refers complex inquiries, requests, or complaints to appropriate staff.
- Sorts, copies, and distributes a variety of correspondence, deliveries, and mail; opens, logs, and routes office mail; retrieves, delivers, and sends faxes.
- Composes routine correspondence; proofreads and edits documents; enters, scans, updates, and maintains information in spreadsheets, databases, and reports.
- Maintains electronic and paper filing and record systems to provide easy access to records and information; provides retention of records as required.
- Updates and maintains department electronic and paper files, databases, records, plans, lists and other related documents.
- Performs records management duties to ensure statutory timelines are met for all cases.
- Maintains scheduling calendars and reminder system for appointments, meetings, Court proceedings and deadlines for department attorneys.
- Updates legal resources with supplements and replacement pages.
- Sorts, indexes and files correspondence, legal documents, memoranda, reports, minutes.
- Establishes case files, creates files for trial, and contacts individuals for Court appearances, schedules hearing, trial dates and times.
- Arranges for transportation of individuals involved in mental commitments, chemical dependency, delinquencies, defendants, witnesses or guardianship proceedings with the appropriate parties or the Sheriff’s Department.
- Attends court hearings and trials to assist department attorneys with administrative functions.
- Assists at specific court hearings, such as traffic court and juvenile delinquencies, as assigned.
- Communicates and schedules with the Courts, dates and times of Court hearings.
- Organizes and manages case files; organizes pleadings, discovery, research and correspondence; prepares lists, exhibits, schedules and other information for Court proceedings.
- Drafts legal documents for review.
- Obtains and securely files criminal histories and driving records.
- Provides administrative assistance to the Senior Legal Assistant, as needed.
- Provides other administrative support for department attorneys, as requested.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge, skill, and ability to understand and use legal terminology, legal format, and processes.
- Knowledge of standard and legal office practices, procedures, and clerical techniques.
- Basic knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes with the ability to recognize statutory, procedural and format changes.
- Skill to take notes or dictation and accurately incorporate essential details in preparing legal documents.
- Ability and skill to prepare Court documents in a timely and accurate and error free manner.
- Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
- Ability to maintain accurate and legible notes.
- Ability to read and accurately interpret statutory language regarding administrative details of the legal process.
- Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
- Ability to understand and implement local court rules, local policies and procedures, written or oral instructions, general correspondence or directions.
- Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
- Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
- Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
- Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications consistent for this position.
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, calmly and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
- Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
- Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
- Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems, and interpreting policies and regulations.
- Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
- Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding confidential and sensitive files, reports, materials and conversations in compliance with applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
- This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
- Work has standard vision requirements.
- Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
- Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
- Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
- Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting.
- May require dealing with persons who are hostile or aggressive, posing threatening conditions.
Dodge County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants
Experience
Required- Must successfully pass criminal background check.
- Previous work experience in a law office or legal setting.
- Previous customer services experience.
- Degree in Paralegal, criminal justice, or closely related field with two (2) year’s clerical work experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience which provides necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education
Required- Associates or better in Paralegal Studies or related field
Salary : $25 - $27