Legal Office Specialist

Business Unit: 24100

Legal Office Specialist #00054435-24100, Full-Time, Perm, in Aztec, NM

# of Positions: 1

Opening Date: 03-20-2025 - Close Date: 04-04-2025

Target Pay Range/Rate: $25.062 per hour OR $52,128 annually

The Eleventh Judicial District & Magistrate Court is recruiting for a full-time, classified, Legal Office Specialist position #00054435-24100 in Aztec, New Mexico. This position will be located at our Aztec District Court location and will support two Staff Attorneys. This position may at times work at our other court locations in San Juan and McKinley Counties. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Acting under general direction, serve as a liaison providing legal support to court staff, attorneys, other state agencies and the public. Finalist(s) will be subject to criminal background checks.

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES

The Legal Office Specialist is responsible for providing routine legal support according to court rules and guidelines.

Composes correspondence, notices, and legal documents.

Performs administrative support functions.

Keeps court associates apprised of operational and procedural changes.

Manages and coordinates the timely processing of documents, case files, and statistics.

Researches legal material and records.

Analyzes and processes cases, maintains and manages case flow for rule compliance, and stamps and dockets pleadings and legal records.

Identifies cases for judgments and court orders pursuant to directives by the judge or commissioner.

Maintains calendar of deadlines and appointments, coordinates the timely processing of documents, and manages office files and records.

Creates agendas, schedules appointments, prepares materials for meetings, and manages administrative minutes.

Communicates and applies complex rules for case administration, filing, court procedures, and legal processes under the New Mexico State Law.

Utilizes and updates legal reference materials.

Reviews court rules and makes recommendations to address non-routine legal issues that may fall outside court rules and guidelines.

Provides guidance to, consults, and assists new law clerks and other legal office specialists in the technical and procedural aspects of the job.

Assists the judge or hearing officer in the courtroom.

Provides customer service and information to the general public, attorneys, and judicial partners.

Prepares transport list, data collection, and compiles and prepares statistical reports.

Prepares legal pleadings, proofreads documents, and follows up on overdue arbitrations.

Provides assistance for backup and serve as a liaison with state agencies and the public.

Prepares draft memoranda in areas of law and maintains law library.

May serve as a court monitor.

Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES/QUALIFICATIONS
The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of legal terminology; procedures, court rules, policies, and operations; case management systems and applicable software; authorized and unauthorized practices of law; Supreme Court Rules and Regulations; New Mexico One Source of Law and other electronic legal databases; New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA); New Mexico Judicial Branch Personnel Rules; Arbitration, Settlement Facilitation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), civil and criminal processes, Pro Se, On-Record Appeals, etc.; rules and statutes of Notary Public; office management and customer service practices; research methodology; filings in magistrate court; journal docket; sources for fact gathering; and data collection.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The following functions are representative, but not all-inclusive of the work environment and physical demands an employee may expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job. Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver's license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

This job description is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performed

BENEFITS

Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, Short, and Long Term Disability Insurance Programs, employee assistance program (EAP) [http://www.mybenefitsnm.com/]

State paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance

Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses

Paid time off, up to eight (8) weeks

Paid time off and retirement buyback

Eleven (11) paid holidays

Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave

Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan

Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan [http://www.nmpera.org/]

Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations*

Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the facility (Stay Well Health Center) in Santa Fe, NM

Bilingual compensation*

Training and career development opportunities

Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement

May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

May receive overtime holiday or shift differential pay*

May receive physical fitness leave*

*These benefits vary by job classification or need*

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field

Education Substitution: Two (2) years of experience as a legal assistant, legal office specialist, judicial specialist, or directly related field.

• Experience: Three (3) years of experience as a legal assistant, legal office specialist, judicial specialist, or directly related field.

• Experience Substitution: Additional relevant education may substitute for up to one (1) year of experience. Thirty (30) semester hours equals one (1) year of experience.

TO APPLY: Submit a Judicial Branch Application for Employment or a Resume with a Resume Supplemental form, along with proof of education by 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2025 to:

Eleventh Judicial District & Magistrate Courts

Human Resources

103 S Oliver Drive

Aztec, NM 87410

Fax: 505-334-7762

Email: 11thjdchr@nmcourts.gov

PROOF OF EDUCATION IS REQUIRED.

Application forms and job description may be picked up or dropped off at: Eleventh Judicial District Court 103 S Oliver Drive, Aztec, NM 87410

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER