Legal Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

This position provides administrative and legal support to the County Attorney and provides courteous and efficient service to County residents. This position is also tasked with processing discovery materials.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Provides excellent service to guests on a daily basis via telephone and in person. This includes addressing and resolving questions as able, and referring complex inquiries, requests, or complaints as appropriate.
• Organizes and manages case files and electronic case management system. Enter and print incoming law enforcement reports. Drafts pleadings, briefs and other legal documents in all areas of practice of the County Attorney’s office. Reviews finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, compliance with policies and procedures. Files documents with the court as approved by the assigned attorney. Compiles suspect’s identifying information, criminal history and driving records. Coordinate office and court calendars.
• Identifies more critical and less critical activities and tasks and adjusts priorities when appropriate.
• Sorts, copies, and distributes a variety of correspondence, deliveries, and mail; opens, logs, and routes office mail; retrieves, delivers, and sends faxes.
• Reviews and completes all necessary steps to provide discovery to defense, including documents, photographs, media and body cam video from various law enforcement agencies. Maintains discovery database in case management system, showing discovery received and disseminated.
• Communicates with other jurisdictions for proof of prior offenses.
• Maintains highly confidential information in accordance with all policies, procedures and laws.
• Backup for Diversion Coordinator/Victim-Witness Coordinator. Provides assistance and support to other team members as needed.
• Keeps relevant people accurately informed and up-to-date of both positive and potentially negative information.
• Completes special requests or small projects, as necessary and upon request from attorneys.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's degree from an accredited college in legal studies and two (2) years of legal support experience.
• Eligible to obtain Notary Public designation.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS

Works under general supervision of the County Attorney. Employee may need to occasionally choose from defined alternatives to resolve problems but consults with the County Attorney on matters not covered by guidelines. Incumbent has no supervisory responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of standard and legal office practices, procedures, and clerical techniques. Understands administrative policies and procedures of the county.
• Competence in use of computer software consistent for this position.
• Skill in organizational and time management. Adapts well to changes in assignments and priorities. Adjusts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Approaches change positively and focuses on being part of the solution.
• Demonstrates a willingness to learn new methods, procedure or techniques, resulting from departmental or organization-wide changes.
• Ability to analyze a complex task by breaking it down into manageable parts in a systematic, detailed way.
• Ability to instruct and train in methods and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to instruct and train in methods and procedures.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain a schedule; promptly shows up to work on time and follows instructions, policies and procedures as well as meets productivity standards, deadlines and work schedule.
• Ability to participate as an active and contributing member of a team to achieve team goals. Provides assistance and support to other team members as needed.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.

• 
  Essential Physical Functions of the position are provided in the Functional Job Analysis Attachment.
• Ability to observe details at close range.
• Communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas so others understand.
• Work has no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.