Legal Assistant I (1st Review 8/20/24)

at  Crook County

SUMMARY:

The Crook County District Attorney’s Office represents the State of Oregon prosecuting adult and juvenile criminal cases and child support enforcement in Circuit Court. It is the mission of the Crook County District Attorney’s Office to seek justice, promote community safety, and uphold the law. We vigorously and impartially pursue this mission with fairness, integrity and honor and in a manner that promotes public trust in the criminal justice system and serves our community.
Under the direct supervision of the Office Manager, this position performs specialized legal assistant functions for the Crook County District Attorney’s Office; performs a variety of duties associated with general office assistance in a legal setting. This position performs a variety of experienced legal support duties, technical, and administrative support functions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. It is not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the Crook County District Attorney’s Office (“DA Office”). This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

• Performs legal administrative duties within scope of authority, and in compliance with DA Office and County policies and the law; job duties may vary according to work assignment and training.
• Must have ability to form and build good working relationships with co-workers, supervisor, court staff, law enforcement, and the general public.
• Examines legal documents for accuracy and completeness, tracks deadlines and processing requirements.
• Assists attorneys with trial preparation, schedules interviews, hearings, meetings, and attorneys’ calendar, notifies clients, Law Enforcement Officers, legal experts, and witnesses as needed.
• Processes, reviews and maintains case files, supporting documentation, legal documents, correspondence, and maintains confidentiality.
• Assists attorneys with clerical and administrative support functions as requested.
• Composes and creates legal documents; creates and updates case files and computer database.
• Receives and sends information to and from other agencies and jurisdictions; reviews, sorts and distributes mail, telephone calls and other correspondence and accommodates walk-in clients.
• Balance petty cash on a weekly basis, including all online payments, making deposits and reconciling the cash box.
• Utilize specialized computer software, compose and create letters, memoranda, and legal documents from general direction by Attorneys, Office Manager, or as directed by the Child Support Enforcement Agent.
• Index and electronical file correspondence, pleadings, discovery, notes, memoranda, reports, and other materials according to a prescribed system for restitution, probation and child support matters.
• Assist attorneys with all aspects of case preparation, including trial and preparation for court hearings. Organizes exhibits, files, and other supporting documents, coordinates trial logistics, and assist attorneys in the courtroom.
• Performs a wide variety of paralegal work including document preparation, maintenance of accurate and detailed records, verifying accuracy of information, researching discrepancies, and recording information.
• Perform other duties as business needs necessitate.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• County policies and procedures
• DA Office policies, procedures, organization, and operations
• Relevant statutes, policies and procedures, and specialized computer software applications.
• Basic legal system and law enforcement agency procedures and terminology.
• Principles of record keeping, case files, and records management.
• Basic laws and regulations governing the release of information and confidentiality.

Skills:

• Coordinating and performing a variety of technical legal support functions
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized business software programs along with Microsoft Office products.
• Reading legal documents and extracting relevant information.
• Learning to draft, prepare, file and distribute various types of legal documents
• Dealing tactfully and courteously with people seeking information about DA Office functions and activities.
• Effectively handling hostile, angry, and emotional customers
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and other participants in the criminal justice process.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to:

• Collaborate, communicate effectively, organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines, work with direct supervision and apply common sense to carry out detailed written or oral instructions.
• Promote the goals and priorities of the DA Office, act in an honest manner and uphold the ethical standards of the District Attorney’s Office, including respecting the confidential nature of information and records.
• Ability and skill to contribute to a positive work environment

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• One (1) year of office clerical support and computer experience; OR any satisfactory combination of experience and training that demonstrates the knowledge and abilities to perform the above-described duties
• Possession or ability to obtain valid Oregon driver’s license within 30 days of hire date.
• Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) and CJIS certification from the State of Oregon within six months of hire.
• Must have Notary Certification or be able to complete within 90 days of employment

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

• Able to complete a thorough employment and/or criminal history check and drug screen.
• Final candidates will be required to provide official proof of college degree and certified transcripts (not required for all positions).

• Performs legal administrative duties within scope of authority, and in compliance with DA Office and County policies and the law; job duties may vary according to work assignment and training.
• Must have ability to form and build good working relationships with co-workers, supervisor, court staff, law enforcement, and the general public.
• Examines legal documents for accuracy and completeness, tracks deadlines and processing requirements.
• Assists attorneys with trial preparation, schedules interviews, hearings, meetings, and attorneys’ calendar, notifies clients, Law Enforcement Officers, legal experts, and witnesses as needed.
• Processes, reviews and maintains case files, supporting documentation, legal documents, correspondence, and maintains confidentiality.
• Assists attorneys with clerical and administrative support functions as requested.
• Composes and creates legal documents; creates and updates case files and computer database.
• Receives and sends information to and from other agencies and jurisdictions; reviews, sorts and distributes mail, telephone calls and other correspondence and accommodates walk-in clients.
• Balance petty cash on a weekly basis, including all online payments, making deposits and reconciling the cash box.
• Utilize specialized computer software, compose and create letters, memoranda, and legal documents from general direction by Attorneys, Office Manager, or as directed by the Child Support Enforcement Agent.
• Index and electronical file correspondence, pleadings, discovery, notes, memoranda, reports, and other materials according to a prescribed system for restitution, probation and child support matters.
• Assist attorneys with all aspects of case preparation, including trial and preparation for court hearings. Organizes exhibits, files, and other supporting documents, coordinates trial logistics, and assist attorneys in the courtroom.
• Performs a wide variety of paralegal work including document preparation, maintenance of accurate and detailed records, verifying accuracy of information, researching discrepancies, and recording information.
• Perform other duties as business needs necessitate