Legal Assistant, Attorney’s Office

Salary

Stearns County Mission: Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All.
Stearns County Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & Equitable

Stearns County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Salary Hiring Range: $24.12-$28.81

Position Objective 
To provide skilled administrative and legal office support in a fast-paced, multi-task environment by preparing and maintaining deadline-driven and confidential documents for civil, criminal, delinquency, child protection, and general counsel cases. This position is responsible for maintaining files by reviewing information and routing and/or referring questions, concerns and documents to the proper sources.
  
Essential Duties and Responsibilities 
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.
 
1. Prepares and processes legal documents and forms to provide attorneys and court with professional and timely documents.
2. Reviews law enforcement reports to determine completeness, jurisdiction and type of crime and enters into database for review and disclosure to enable appropriate charging decisions. 
3. Prepares and files court exhibits using the State website to ensure accurate filing of exhibits.
4. Reviews and enters Expungement paperwork and related documents.
5. Prepares correspondence and briefs ensuring accurate and timely documents.
6. Establishes and maintains files for court cases, updates the electronic case management system, and prepares discovery for service to provide timely, accurate and efficient office document management.
7. Assists attorneys by maintaining calendars, documenting notices, filing and retrieving documents, notifying witnesses for hearings and trials, and contacting courts for scheduling of hearings.
8. Maintains the criminal, juvenile and civil case management system by creating documents, assisting with the development of procedures and entering data for statistics.
9. Processes incoming mail reviewing for court dates, requests for disclosure and follow-up on pending tasks for attorneys.
10. Obtains jury trial lists and screens jurors by researching information in office databases to assist attorneys in jury selection process.
11. Processes supplemental reports from various law enforcement agencies for review by attorneys.
12. Responds to inquiries from the public and partnering agencies to provide responsive public service.
13. Reviews legal documents, files, and notices to prosecutors for completeness.
14. Receives and processes truancy documents through regular contact with school district and social workers.
15. Images case files, maintains the file room, shreds and scans documents, and rotates records to facilitate professional file management.
16. Reviews incoming citations and reports to ensure case is eligible for diversion.
17. Completes BCA operator training and required continued education to gather accurate criminal history information by following BCA protocols.
18. Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.
19. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following: 

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Two years of post-secondary formal education in paralegal, legal secretarial/office support, office administration, or similar field OR four years of progressively related experience in a government, legal, law enforcement or office support setting 
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
• Typing speed of 55 words per minute
• Ability to comply with Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's criminal history-related security requirements 

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Knowledge of office procedures, data entry, and record keeping.
2. Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
3. Knowledge of the criminal, civil and juvenile justice system.
4. Knowledge of legal terminology and procedures.
5. Ability to work with material in a confidential manner.
6. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
7. Ability to exercise judgment and discretion and effectively complete tasks.
8. Ability to prioritize and organize work in a timely matter.
9. Ability to operate office equipment.
10. Ability to perform simple mathematical computations.
11. Ability to maintain filing systems.
12. Ability to pay close attention to detail.
13. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees
1. Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's mission and values.
2. Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
3. Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
4. Informs immediate supervisor of all important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
5. Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
6. Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
7. Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.
 
Work Environment and Physical Demands
The primary responsibilities for this position will be performed approximately 100% of the time indoors. Will have infrequent exposure to health hazards and accidents; requires a low level of physical effort. All employees are required to reside within the state of Minnesota.

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Office Services Supervisor.

Responsibility for Public Contact
Frequent.

Hours of Work
Normal work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; may include hours outside of normal work hours on occasion.  Potential to work hybrid location/flexible work hours.

Interview Date
If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025. Invitations to interview will be sent to the email address listed on the job application and will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. A job specific background check and/or physical, drug and psychological exam may be required before appointment.
 

Benefits

To view Stearns County benefits go to: Stearns County Benefits Page

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.