Judge Unit Paralegal - Beltrami County - Honorable John Melbye (Temporary)

The Honorable John Melbye, chambered in Beltrami County, is seeking a motivated, professional individual to serve as a short-term temporary Judge Unit Paralegal.  (Temporary term is expected to commence on or before February 18, 2026, and may continue for up to 20 weeks).   

Nature of Work

This is professional legal support work provided to a district court judge.  Work includes assistance with legal research and other related clerical/administrative work. Work also involves assistance with preparation of memoranda, opinions, or orders for judges or court officials concerning the cases before them.  Work is performed under general supervision of a judge and is reviewed through conferences and reports for accuracy, completeness, quality and adherence to guidelines.

This position has opportunities for a flexible work environment with the ability to work remotely. 

Paralegals are at-will employees, and the work is performed under the supervision of a District Court Judge.

What You Will Do

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)

• Conducts legal research.
• Drafts legal documents, orders, dispositions, and other documents, reports, and correspondence for the judge.
• Receives, screens, and routes incoming telephone calls and callers; screens mail; schedules matters for hearing and maintains the judge’s personal calendar.
• May perform courtroom duties including calling the calendar; swearing in jury panels and witness; taking court minutes; and assisting in various court proceedings such as arraignments, motions, hearings, pre-trial conferences and trials.
• Performs a variety of confidential, technical, and general clerical tasks, and administrative work for the judge or referee; transcribes dictation.
• May prepare outlines and orders reflecting pertinent court proceedings; may perform a variety of technical clerical activities in court as required by the judge or referee.

What You Must Have

Qualifications

(Any combination of training and work experience, which indicates possession of the knowledge, abilities, and skills listed above. An example of an acceptable qualification for this position is:)

• Certification as a paralegal or possession of an Associates Degree from an accredited college or university in law, criminal justice, court administration, or a related field.  Experience in a legal setting is required.

Licensure and Certification Requirements

• Certification as a paralegal through an approved ABA program or through the PACE or CLA/CP certification exams is required in lieu of an Associates Degree.  Certification as a qualified neutral, as required by the position.

What You Will Bring 

• Knowledge of laws, court rules, and sources of legal reference
• Knowledge of court practices and procedures
• Knowledge of legal terminology and concepts
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people including attorneys and pro se parties 
• Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles
• Ability to represent the court in a respectful manner
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer with work processing and legal research software
• Ability to professionally exhibit cultural sensitivity, patience, and understanding in the course of work duties

Supplemental Information

• The hours for this position will be between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday; hours may vary depending on business needs.  Part time hours and a flexible schedule are also available.
• May be eligible for State of Minnesota benefits depending on hours per week and term of employment.

Instructions for Applying

Complete and submit your online application by January 23, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. 

In addition to completing the online application, please upload and attach your resume, as well as a list of professional references.

It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting HR, Ruth.Bender@courts.state.mn.us

If you have questions about this position, please contact us at:

Ruth.Bender@courts.state.mn.us