Juvenile/Magistrate Legal Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

Performs responsible administrative support to Juvenile and Magistrate attorneys to help ensure effective and efficient department operations. Assists the public and does related clerical work as required, always providing professional and courteous customer service. Work is performed under general supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Serves as liaison for the Juvenile Public Defenders with the SC Department of Juvenile Justice and outlying Magistrate attorneys.
• Enters Juvenile cases, filing Rule 5s with the Family Clerk of Court and Solicitor’s Office, preparing subpoenas, and notifying Solicitor’s Office of juvenile clients our office represents.
• Organizes and schedules detention hearings daily.
• Prepares necessary juvenile transportation orders and ex parte orders for experts.
• Enters outlying Magistrate cases; prepares and mails letters to defendants regarding court appearances.
• Drafts and files motions and coordinates with the Solicitor’s Office and Clerk’s Office.
• Enters Violation of Probation cases, mails letters of representation to clients, requests 1106 forms from the SC Department of Probation, and distributes files to attorneys.
• Arranges interpreters and trial experts for evaluations; provide necessary materials to trial experts for evaluations.
• Provides behind-the-scenes support in the courtroom at hearings and trials.
• Helps prepare for trial as needed by handling discovery and providing needed documents to clients.
• Organizes and manages files, documents, and exhibits; communicates with clients regarding court.
• Prepares Juvenile Appeal paperwork as requested by the Juvenile Public Defender.
• Maintains attorneys’ caseload, including monitoring the status of cases, noting any cases that have been conflicted out or are now being represented/handled by private attorneys, and providing any necessary documents/discovery to those attorneys.
• Updates probation files; assisting clients.
• Schedules and monitors emails for attorneys, composing letters and memoranda.
• Serves as backup receptionist, answers phones, and assists clients in the office.
• Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary office and legal practices, procedures, and technologies; proficiency in utilizing modern office assistance techniques; strong grasp of business English, and an in-depth understanding of the organization's structure, departmental functions, and current administrative policies; adept at maintaining up-to-date office records and generating accurate reports using various file sources. Must demonstrate ability to work independently, organize tasks efficiently, and handle a diverse workload; proficient typing skills at a competitive speed; skilled in crafting effective correspondence for routine matters and managing day-to-day office operations without constant supervisor guidance. Effective multitasking capabilities, adept at managing time-sensitive documents, and exceptional organizational skills suitable for a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Strong oral and written communication skills are essential, and proficiency with modern office software, particularly Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel), is required. The candidate should also have a proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and the general public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• May require Notary Public certification.
• All regular full-time and part-time employees of Spartanburg County are required by state law to participate in the South Carolina Retirement System.
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued in the state of South Carolina.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/BENEFITS

• Longevity pay increase after 18 months of employment (new hires)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $39,836.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person