Legal Secretary/Paralegal

Position Summary

This position is to perform skilled legal administrative support work to assist the District Attorney in the prosecution of criminal, traffic, and civil forfeitures, by independently gathering and maintaining prosecution files and maintaining communication to other parties for efficient handling of cases; and provides courteous and efficient customer services to County residents.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Provides customer service to internal and external customers; greets, receives and screens visitors and customers; addresses and resolves customer questions as able and refers complex inquiries, requests, or complaints to appropriate staff.

2. Sorts, copies, and distributes a variety of correspondence, deliveries, and mail; opens, logs, and routes office mail; retrieves, delivers, and sends faxes.

3. Composes routine correspondence; proofreads and edits documents; enters, scans, updates, and maintains information in spreadsheets, databases, and reports.

4. Maintains electronic and paper filing and record systems to provide easy access to records and information; provides retention of records as required.

5. Assigns and enters new referrals received from law enforcement agencies.

6. Independently drafts legal documents, criminal complaints, summons, warrants, ordinance violations, juvenile petitions, motions, discovery, orders, briefs and routine letters assisting in the prosecution of criminal, juvenile, traffic, and forfeiture cases.

7. Creates, prepares and maintains criminal, traffic, juvenile and forfeiture prosecutor files.

8. Contacts law enforcement and state and federal agencies to obtain essential documents and/or information needed for case preparation, management and/or prosecution.

9. Prepares and processes subpoenas, interstate subpoenas, Writs of Habeas Corpus, and Orders for Transport for upcoming court proceedings.

10. Schedules, coordinates, monitors, and resolves calendar conflicts in conjunction with the court calendar.

12. Generates criminal histories and driving records and maintains confidentiality pursuant to Crime Information Bureau guidelines. Researches prior offenses to assist in determining appropriate charging decision. This may require obtaining additional documents/information to assist with charging decision/case prosecution.

13. Provides in-courtroom assistance to prosecutors, as needed.

14. Receipts restitution payments as needed.

15.Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Knowledge, skill, and ability to understand and use legal terminology, legal format, and processes.

· Knowledge of standard and legal office practices, procedures, and clerical techniques.

· Knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes and ongoing statutory changes, procedural changes, and form changes.

· Ability to take and maintain accurate and legible notes and accurately incorporate essential details in preparing legal documents.

· Ability and skill to prepare Court documents in a timely and accurate manner.

· Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.

· Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.

· Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.

· Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.

· Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.

· Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.

· Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.

· Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.

· Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.

· Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.

· Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.

· Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.

· Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.

· Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records laws.

· Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications

· Associates degree in a paralegal, criminal justice, legal assistant, or closely related field with three (3) year’s clerical work experience; or a high school diploma/equivalent with five (5) years clerical/office support work experience.

· Previous customer services experience required.

· Previous work experience in a law office or legal setting required with an emphasis in criminal law or civil litigation.

· Must successfully pass criminal background check.

· Must be bondable.

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor. 

· This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.

· Work has standard vision requirements.

· Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

· Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.

· Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.

· May require dealing with persons who are hostile, aggressive, abusive or violent, posing threatening conditions.

· Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.64 - $32.51 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Free parking
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person