Senior Legal Assistant (Civil Division)

The City of Coeur d'Alene is hiring a Senior Legal Assistant to refill an upcoming retirement in our Civil Department.
First review of applications will be after July 16, 2026. The filing deadline may be extended if additional applications are deemed necessary.

(illustrative only and may vary by assignment)

• Oversees, plans, organizes and manages the operational work of administrative support for civil and criminal attorneys;
• Provides objective analysis of current administrative functions and processes and identifies opportunities for change to improve processes and procedures;
• Compiles information from a variety of sources to general comprehensive and complete legal documents;
• Assists with establishing and accomplishing department goals;
• Handles telephone calls of a sensitive, confidential and/or difficult nature and respond to citizens and agencies in a timely and informative manner;
• Prepares and proofreads for accuracy a variety of written documents, correspondence and legal documents including discovery, supplemental discovery, request for production and interrogatories, contracts, leases, easements, zone changes, deeds, resolutions, ordinances, etc.;
• Compiles statistical reports;
• Maintains filing system and records of briefs and case files;
• Performs routing investigative duties including redaction, editing and copying of video and audio media;
• Updates and maintains the legal library;
• Oversees budget records and monitors general office purchasing;
• Responds to management's, supervisor's, co-workers' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous, thorough and timely manner;
• Performs time management and scheduling functions, meets deadlines, and sets project priorities;
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all matters;
• Performs Notary Public duties;
• Assists other department and City employees as needed or requested.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.

• Prepares bills and monitors and administers the department budget;
• Prepares documents for Council packets;
• Makes all travel and training arrangements for department;
• Reviews department timesheets for accuracy;
• Provides legal support in civil matters;
• Updates code changes into database system; communicates changes to appropriate personnel;
• Provides direct administrative support to the City Attorney;
• Provides back-up to the Mayor's Executive Assistant.
• Supervises Legal Assistants, paralegals and interns.

• Supervises Legal Assistants, paralegals and interns, including recruiting, interviewing, training, assigning work and reviewing performance;
• Prepares and manages case files by gathering various information and evidence from other sources to build comprehensive and complete legal files;
• Update and maintains court calendar including assignment of dockets to attorneys and managing officer and staff leave requests to ensure availability for trial and hearings;
• Performs victim advocacy duties including the collection and management of restitution information to ensure compensation for victims;
• Performs basic paralegal duties;
• Creates and maintains office policy procedures and ensures they are followed;
• Reviews cases after court and completes appropriate documents for completion of case, and updates the court calendar;
• Designs, implements, maintains and provides training for office databases, including maintaining and creating forms/macros for paperless system;
• Processes and tracks multiple case files from start to finish, including overseeing case files of legal assistants;
• Performs routine investigative and research duties;
• Complies with CJIS and ILET security regulations;
• Prepares audio and video for presentation at trial;
• Ensures that all exhibits are clearly viewable;
• Prepares jury instructions for trial;
• Performs all duties of a Legal Assistant as Senior Legal Assistant handles own caseload while performing supervisory and administrative duties.

• May serve on various city committees as assigned;
• Performs the duties of Legal Assistants as needed; Criminal handles own caseload as a Legal Assistant
• Attends and takes minutes at meetings;
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• May attend Court proceedings as requested by the Attorney.

• High School diploma or GED equivalency; preferably supplemented with business and legal secretarial training; and
• Three (3) years of legal secretarial experience, with at least one year supervisory experience; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.

• Legal, court, and judicial procedures, rules, terminology, methods, documents, practices, and objectives;
• Operation of standard office equipment including a personal computer and job-related software applications;
• Operation of legal case management system;
• Principles and practices of supervision and office management;
• English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and composition.

• Perform essential job functions independently and keep managers informed;
• Maintain confidentiality related to the area of work;
• Exhibit initiative and problem solving skills;
• Prioritize and carry out multiple tasks;
• Manage the office effectively and supervise the work of others;
• Communicate effectively with diverse persons and interests;
• Use a high degree of tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned or upset individuals;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with city managers, employees, and outside agencies;
• Proficiently operate computers, software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or similar office software to create documents and other materials, maintain information, and generate reports;
• Type 70 words per minute;
• Use English and speak clearly for understanding;
• Listen carefully to, understand, and effectively communicate through verbal, written, and electronic communication channels;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Perform all duties in accordance with City policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.
• Work in a fast paced environment with numerous interruptions.
• Exercise initiative in managing own caseload and meeting deadlines.