Legal Secretary I - Superior Court

Whatcom County Superior and Juvenile court is recruiting for a Legal Secretary I.  

This position performs a variety of complex and diverse office, clerical and secretarial support work to facilitate the effective operations of the department.  Under general supervision, prepares court documents, pleadings, reports and correspondence and coordinates collection and distribution of paperwork.   

Key Duties Include:

• Provides clerical, office and secretarial support for assigned areas.
• Prepares pleadings and correspondence such as summons, subpoenas, jury instructions, briefs or other legal documents.  Performs basic research of documents and compiles data.   Date stamps and distributes documents as required.
• Answers, screens or routes telephone and other inquiries.  Identifies customer needs, explains services clearly and promptly responds to requests.   Evaluates priorities and independently addresses routine and diverse matters, inquiries and complaints.   Distributes, collects mail through numerous court runs daily and processes subsequent work related to the court runs.  
• Maintains case-tracking system of case files, records, calendars, schedules appointments, special hearings, court appearances, interviews and meetings.  Arranges, coordinates and attends meetings or hearings.  Prepares and distributes agendas, minutes and other material.
• Organizes, updates, maintains purges, and archives databases, files, records, and other documents according to guidelines.   Modifies processes and troubleshoots routine problems as needed. 
• Prepares, edits and/or updates routine contracts, agreements, correspondence, procedures, reports, and other documents.  Runs and compiles routine and diverse reports. 
• Collects, researches, verifies, enters, updates and retrieves computer data.
• Acts as liaison between assigned attorneys or probation officers and the courts, other criminal justice departments and agencies and with the public, with regard to assigned caseload.

Supervisor: Administrative Supervisor

• MCBA- Range 109.0

Requirements:

• Legal Secretary Certificate and six months of experience as a Legal Secretary;
  OR
  Two years of experience in a law office, the criminal justice system, or a related field;

• Proficiency in composing, editing, and proofreading legal pleadings, correspondence, and reports;

• Demonstrated ability to use computer software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases;

• Ability to organize and maintain legal files, schedules, and records accurately and efficiently;

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including use of legal terminology and proper grammar.

Preferred:

• Experience with court or legal procedures;

• Knowledge of legal terminology, courtroom procedures, and legal document formatting;

• Experience providing administrative support in a public-sector legal or justice-related environment;

• Notary Public license (or ability to obtain, depending on assignment)