Legal Administrative Assistant

INTERNAL and EXTERNAL JOB POSTING

Full-Time - 40 Hours Per Week - Benefit Eligible
Non-Exempt – Teamsters Local 320 Courthouse Union Position

The expected hiring range for new employees in 2025 is $24.64 - $26.27 per hour ($51,251.20 - $54,641.60 annually), depending on qualifications, relevant experience, and alignment with internal equity. The full compensation range for this position is $24.64 - $31.82 per hour ($51,251.20 - $66,185.60 annually), with the potential for additional longevity-based compensation.

The applicant must fully complete the “Work Experience” and “Education” sections of the application, and a resume is required for all positions.

 After the closing date of the job posting, you will be notified by Human Resources via email to self-schedule an interview.

POSTED: Monday, January 27, 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, February 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. AA/EEO

Isanti County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: Group Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care), Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Accident Insurance, Hospital Confinement Insurance, Cancer Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Whole Life Insurance, PTO (vacation, sick, personal leave), 12 paid holidays, Deferred Compensation Plans, Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and an Employee Wellness Program.

To view the available insurance and benefit options, click here.

General Definition of Work

Performs legal administrative support work for the County Attorney's Office, managing attorney calendars, preparing legal documents and correspondence, composing and transcribing legal dictation, assisting with legal research, providing information and assistance via telephone, preparing and maintaining files and records, updating filing system, and related work as apparent or assigned.

Work is performed under the supervision of the Office Supervisor.

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prepares and composes, proofreads, on own initiative, correspondence, and the legal documents within required time frames; proceeds according to attorney's case and/or court notes; analyzes documents to determine which are discoverable under applicable court rules and state statutes; distributes documents to appropriate parties.
• Analyzes referrals for filing with the court to initiate judicial proceedings including civil, criminal, juvenile, child protection and commitment cases.
• Performs procedural tasks (i.e., requesting follow-up reports, copies of video and audio tapes, requesting certified driving records, criminal histories, etc.); reviews driving records, criminal histories, and motions; gathers information from law enforcement agencies, citizens and other sources as needed for criminal complaints and juvenile petitions; prepares supplemental pleadings.
• Provides litigation support; performs as legal administrative assistant in individual caseloads and manages own caseload; prioritizes work according to applicable deadlines.
• Maintains the physical and electronic filing system of all cases including confidential documents; prepares forms, and/or pleadings by determining readiness of file information for review by attorney; prepares and organizes exhibits for trial; arranges witness appearances; monitors cases from beginning to end; indexes and categorizes case files.
• Drafts motions; obtains discoverable information; drafts disclosure forms.
• Manages assigned case flow of felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, petty misdemeanor, juvenile delinquency, child protection, paternity, and/or civil matters; develops forms, pleadings, and procedures.
• Formats felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor criminal complaints regarding criminal matters; formats typewritten juvenile, child protection, and commitment petitions.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with employees and corresponding with other departments.
• Prepares and files writs of process including warrants.
• Prepares subpoenas; arranges witness appearances as directed by attorney; updates witness location for subpoena service.
• Answers telephones; screens and direct calls; answers questions and provides information to internal and external agencies and representatives and the general public; distributes incoming/outgoing mail; screens and safeguards data from incoming confidential written reports and documents.
• Obtains certified copies of driving records, previous court convictions/adjudications, and medical records, if necessary, following Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); obtains legal protective orders in accordance with governmental data practices rulings for safeguarding medical records.
• Schedules and calendars a variety of appointments, court hearings and special meetings for attorneys; maintains an accurate calendar system of court dates for all active case files.
• Preserves strict confidentiality in handling of files and disseminating information pursuant to Government Data Practices Act.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates/Technical degree in criminal justice, or related field and moderate experience in criminal justice and legal work, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Efficient and accurate keyboarding skills of 50 words per minute or more.
• Proficiency in computer software applications.
• Knowledge of operation of general office equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with the following criteria:

• Knowledge of court system, legal terminology, and drafting of legal documents.
• Ability to demonstrate strong organizational skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other agencies and the public.
• Ability to abide by federal, state and office confidentiality requirements and data practices.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, problem-solve, and meet deadlines.
• PBK experience.
• Commissioned as a Notary Public in the State of Minnesota.

Special Qualifications

• None

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of modern office procedures and practices including skill in operating of standard office equipment and personal computer.
• Knowledge of basic computer applications such as Word, Outlook, Excel, and Power Point.
• Knowledge of basic search engines and use of internet and its applications.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, criminal and traffic statutes and court rules of procedure including the Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rules of Child Protection Procedure and the Rules of Juvenile Delinquency, policies and procedures which affect the state court system, office of the county attorney, and services of the county.
• Knowledge of complex criminal justice related computer applications such as MNCIS, MGA, and PbK/Karpel.
• Knowledge of English, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and arithmetic.
• Ability to type rapidly and accurately from clear copy, rough drafts, and voice recordings.
• Ability to prioritize according to applicable deadlines.
• Ability to secure the attendance and coordinate the appearance of several witnesses per month for various hearings and trials, working under strict time constraints.
• Ability to work under pressure to perform a variety of tasks simultaneously including the ability to prepare correspondence, legal reports, organize materials for use by attorneys, draft pleadings.
• Ability to work independently with minimal or no supervision.
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, attorneys, court personnel and law enforcement.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential issues involving adults and children as both victims and witnesses in a professional manner.
• Ability to deal professionally with individuals under emotional distress including attorneys, defendants, witnesses, victims, law enforcement, and members of the public in a tactful and efficient manner.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive issues and deal with graphic images from crime scenes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, attorneys, probation officers, law enforcement officials, clients, court personnel, social workers, other county departments, and the public.
• Ability to maintain a regular and timely work attendance.

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements and Activity

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force.

Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires climbing or balancing and pushing or pulling.

Sensory Requirements

Work has standard vision requirements; 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.

Sensory Utilization

Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities.

Environmental Conditions

Work has no exposure to environmental conditions.
Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

The statements in this class description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

A fully completed Isanti County Online Application and resume must be received by Human Resources by the closing date and time listed on the posting.  Any materials received after the closing date and time will not be considered.

The application will be evaluated in a Training and Experience Assessment worth 100 points.  Veterans Preference will be applied in accordance with Minnesota law. A top group of qualified applicants will be invited to the interview process.

Final appointment is contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation including a criminal history search.  Costs of the background will be paid for by Isanti County.

Mission
Working Together to Deliver Quality Services Valued by the
Community, Today and for Generations to Come.

Salary

• $51,251.20 - $54,641.60/year