Legal Assistant, County Attorney's Office

Position Description

SALARY:
Hiring Rate: $24.12/hourly
Full Range: $24.12 -$35.41/hourly
Grade 13, Non-Exempt Position, Teamsters-General Unit

Our Mission: "Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All"
Our Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & Equitable

Stearns County derives strength from the diversity of its workforce and provides a welcoming environment where all are respected and valued. Are you looking for a fast-paced work setting where you can problem solve, help attorneys, and move quickly from one task to the next? As a Legal Assistant, you will be involved in the juvenile, criminal and civil areas of the office. You'll work directly with law enforcement, school officials, court administration, other county agencies and members of the public. Regular hours range from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with the potential for flexible hours and hybrid working locations. If you are interested in making a difference in the justice system, enjoy a rewarding career in public service in a high energy office, apply now!

Position Objective
To provide skilled administrative and legal office support by preparing and maintaining documents for civil, criminal, juvenile, child protection, and general counsel cases. This position is responsible for maintaining files and processing reports and forms under daily timelines and constraints in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.

1. Prepares and processes legal documents and forms to provide attorneys and court with professional and timely documents.
2. Prepares correspondence and briefs ensuring accurate and timely documents.
3. Establishes and maintains files for court cases, updates the electronic case management system, and prepares discovery for service to provide timely, accurate and efficient office document management.
4. Assists attorneys by maintaining calendars, documenting notices, filing and retrieving documents, notifying witnesses for hearings and trials, and contacting courts for scheduling of hearings.
5. Maintains the criminal, juvenile and civil case management system by creating forms and documents, assisting with the development of procedures and entering data for statistics and billing.
6. Processes incoming mail reviewing for court dates, requests for disclosure and follow-up on pending tasks for attorneys.
7. Obtains jury trial lists and screens jurors by researching information in office databases to assist attorneys in jury selection process.
8. Processes supplemental reports from various law enforcement agencies for review by attorneys.
9. Assists with answering the telephone and assists the public and partnering agencies with inquiries and legal matters.
10. Reviews legal documents, files, and notices to prosecutors for completeness.
11. Receives and processes truancy documents through regular contact with school district and social workers.
12. Images case files, maintains the file room, and rotates records to facilitate professional file management.
13. Assists with training new staff in the office services division and new attorneys on administrative office procedures and office protocol.
14. Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.
15. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications and Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Two years of post-secondary formal education in paralegal, legal secretarial/office support, office administration, or similar field OR four years of progressively related experience in a government, legal, law enforcement or office support setting
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
• Typing speed of 55 words per minute
• Ability to comply with Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's criminal history-related security requirements

Preferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience with electronic filing and service of legal documents
• Working with voice dictation and transcription programs
• Working within a government agency

Accountabilities, Work Environment and Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees
1. Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's mission and values.
2. Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
3. Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
4. Informs immediate supervisor of all important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
5. Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
6. Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
7. Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
The primary responsibilities for this position will be performed approximately 100% of the time indoors. Will have infrequent exposure to health hazards and accidents; requires a low level of physical effort. All employees are required to reside within the state of Minnesota.

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Office Services Supervisor.

Responsibility for Public Contact
Frequent.

Hours of Work, Testing and Interview Dates

Hours of Work
This position has a usual work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; may include some evening and weekend hours. Potential to work hybrid location/flexible work hours.

Interview Date
If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Invitations to interview will be sent to the email address listed on the job application and will be based upon an assessment of education and experience.

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.