Legal Assistant- Public Defender (0425)

Coconino County Public Defender's Office is inviting applicants to apply for our Legal Assistant position.

At Coconino County, public service matters. Our dedication to public service promotes a culture that elicits employee growth, cultivates inspiration, and creates future leaders by empowering employees to solve internal and external customer needs and exceed customer service expectations.  As an award-winning organization with high regard for cultural diversity and the positive contributions of the many thriving cultures within our county, our nation, and our society, Coconino County leads a variety of initiatives that celebrate diversity; from our Annual Diversity Day, and monthly Heritage Lunch & Learns, to book clubs, and professional development academies which target diverse workforce segments. Coconino County's respect for diversity is shared throughout the organization. Be part of this optimistic, innovative team where outstanding customer service creates dynamic solutions and engages leadership at every level.   

(Illustrative only)

• Provides legal support work to attorneys for law-related tasks
• Prepares and edits documents as requested by attorneys and staff
• Maintains and updates files
• Files court documents 
• Keeps documents organized in the interim before they are filed
• Follows procedure for calendaring of events, notifies, and sends reminders to appropriate staff and clients and maintains the master calendar of deadlines
• Enters, updates, and retrieves information using multiple systems and databases. 
• Collects, organizes, and prepares files and materials for attorneys for use in court appearances or for transacting other legal business
• Receipts and processes emotionally traumatic and graphic material
• Schedules appointments and maintains calendars
• Coordinates witness travel
• Arranges for proper waiting location for witnesses, greet, support, and update all witnesses needed for trial
• Provides administrative support to include but not limited to, stamping files, filing, answering telephones, faxing, creating communications and making copies
• May prepare and process new cases for review
• May run conflict checks on new cases assigned to the office

Two years’ experience in a clerical or administrative position; OR any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

This position is non-exempt from overtime.

The ideal candidate will have prior legal assistant experience directly supporting attorneys, prior supervisory experience, excellent customer service skills and the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a diverse legal office setting.

Preferred Qualifications: Prior Legal Assistant experience directly supporting an attorney; possess a working knowledge of the justice system and legal terminology; and proficiency in the use of Word, Excel and Power Point.

Considerable knowledge of:

• Legal and technical resources available to enhance and improve units within office
• Business English, spelling and arithmetic, punctuation, and grammar
• Office procedures and protocols
• Legal procedures and terminology

• Principles and techniques of effective mentoring, coaching, and training of staff
• Audio/visual equipment and software programs and preparation of same
• Duties of other units to ensure proper coverage
  

• Use of word processors, computer systems and other office machines
• Report preparation

• Compose correspondence dealing with legal and complex matters
• Maintain composure working with individuals in a heightened emotional state under strict time constraints
• Field complaints and concerns from the public specific to the office and elected official
• Understand legal procedures and terminology
• Exercise sound independent judgment on a variety of problems in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures
• Prioritize, plan, and carry out assignments
• Convey terminology and procedures to train staff and communicate effectively with other departments and agencies
• Uphold a high level of professionalism and ethical behavior
• Work safely and support the culture of workplace safety
• Communicate effectively with law enforcement agencies, court personnel, victim witness advocates, defense counsel, witnesses, victims, defendants, probation, pretrial services, other county departments and the public
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, governmental, criminal justice, other agencies, and the public
• Follow written and verbal instructions
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing