JOB DESCRIPTION

The City of Saratoga Springs currently has an opening for a Legal Assistant under the direct supervision of the City Attorney. This is a Full-time position working 40 hours per week, 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8 am to 5 pm on Friday. This is a professional position requiring knowledge of the criminal justice system and court policies and procedures. This position conducts preliminary evaluation of case information to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures. This position also performs legal research and prepares files for review by Assistant City Attorney and City Attorney.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience:

• An associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, or two years of post-high school academic study in paralegal studies, pre-law, English, writing, office administration, criminal justice, or a related field, or closely-related experience
• Three (3) years of experience as a legal secretary, legal assistant, or paralegal, or closely related experience.

Certifications Required:

• Must possess a valid Utah driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Prosecution and court procedures in order to prepare, with minimal supervision, cases filed for the City Attorney’s office, including Information, motions,responses, summonses, subpoenas, warrants, criminal histories, Protective Orders, lab results, DOPL reports, certified driving records, and Orders to Show Cause
• Computer programs for the City Attorney’s office including the prosecution document preparation system and all other systems implemented by the Attorney’s office

Ability to:

• Type at the rate of 50 wpm net
• Utilize good decision making skills
• Perform work with attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Utilize very effective organizational skills
• Utilize effective verbal and written communications skills Computer skills including the ability to operate computerized accounting, spreadsheet and wordprocessing programs, and email at a highly proficient level
• Maintain confidentiality and interact diplomatically with department personnel, the public, defendants, and outside attorneys
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, exercise initiative and sound judgment to react resourcefully and responsibly under pressure
• Create, organize, and maintain all City Attorney office files and indexes
• Ensure compliance with state and federal rules and regulations for the Criminal Justice Information System and the Bureau of Criminal Identification system
• Operate various types of typical office equipment and computer software necessary to perform all other legal assistant functions for the City Attorney’s office, such as transcription, copying, and reception duties

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

• Maintain composure when confronted with hostile, emotional, or angry people and tactfully answer routine questions from the public and city staff
• Performs legal research for opinions
• Performs court record research
• Conducts preliminary evaluation of case information to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures
• Prepare cases for filing and prosecution in court
• Draft, obtain, and prepare Information, motions, responses, summonses, subpoenas, warrants, criminal histories, protective orders, lab results, DOPL reports, certified driving records, continuances, and orders to show cause
• Respond to discovery requests
• Interact with and accurately gather information from police officers, defendants, victims, court personnel, and outside attorneys to ensure proper preparation of cases
• Prepares summonses and subpoenas for witnesses for pretrials and trials
• Maintain proper decorum and work ethic of the City Attorney’s office
• Ensure compliance with state and federal rules and regulations for the Criminal Justice Information System and the Bureau of Criminal Identification system
• Performs other duties as assigned

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions-including but are not limited to the job functions, qualifications, and competencies listed herein-of this job in the working conditions below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The successfully candidate must be able to perform under the physical demands and work environment of a typical office environment including but not limited to the following:

• Sit at a desk or table to operate a computer and related equipment and to type, read, proofread, interpret, and apply information obtained therefrom
• Stoop and/or bend to move items into and between file drawers
• Regularly walk, stand, or stoop
• Lift, carry, push, pull or move boxes weighing up to 30 pounds
• Lift, carry, push, pull, or move carts of items weighing up to 100 pounds
• Work at a computer for sustained periods of time while maintaining efficiency, attention to detail, alertness, proficiency, and accuracy