Litigation Assistant - Public Defender - COMOT III

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Litigation Assistant for the Tippecanoe County Public Defender, responsible for providing support services to attorneys and departmental personnel during all phases of litigation process, and administrative assistance to the Chief Public Defender in overseeing and coordinating departmental systems.

DUTIES:

• Ensures timely exchange and documentation of all case related discovery material, providing litigation support services to staff attorneys and other departmental personnel, assigning cases, organizing and maintaining client case-files, and preparing, reviewing, and indexing discovery materials.
• Designs and maintains databases, such as tracking statistical information required to comply with Indiana Public Defender Commission Standards, monitoring attorney caseload assignments, and tracking Court ordered Public Defender fees, and preparing related financial reports, needed.
• Assists departmental attorneys and other personnel as needed, including managing client’s electronic discovery database, organizing client files, documenting and updating flow of incoming discovery documents, and converting audio/video files. Identifies documents for scanning and uploading and preparing closed cases for electronic storage.
• Assists Administrative Assistant with preparing, verifying, and submitting departmental payroll, departmental expenses and vendor claims to County Auditor for processing and payment.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

• High school diploma or GED with prior legal/criminal justice setting experience preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of federal, state and local laws, standard procedures, rules of evidence, and rules of court.
• Working knowledge of standard office and court policies, procedures and related legal requirements and terminology, and ability apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks and operations.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare financial reports as required.
• Knowledge of criminal justice system, including types of cases assigned to Public Defender’s Office.
• Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, printer, typewriter, and telephone. 
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.
• Ability to comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, defendants and their families, attorneys, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment.
• Ability to occasionally work weekends and/or evening hours.

II. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs a variety of similar and standard duties and tasks within the prescribed policies and procedures of the department. Some discretion is needed in selecting the appropriate approaches and methods to successfully complete assigned tasks. Errors in decision making or accuracy are detected by means of supervisory review of standard departmental checks and safeguards. When errors occur, they may result in some loss of time within the department to correct error and/or inconvenience to other department employees or members of the public.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains communication with co-workers, other County departments, defendants and their families, attorneys, and the public, for purposes of exchanging information, and explaining policies and procedures,. 

Incumbent reports directly to Administrative Assistant/Office Manager, Chief Public Defender, and/or Director of Client Services Investigator.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard office environment involving sitting/standing for long periods, sitting/walking at will, close vision, hearing communication, speaking clearly, keyboarding, lifting objects weighing less than 25 pounds, and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent occasionally works weekends and/or evening hours.