Lead Legal Assistant

The following duties are typical of those performed by the incumbent in this classification.   However, other duties may also be required.

• Organizes, coordinates, schedules, trains, and assists in directing the work of Self-Help Center Legal Assistant personnel

• Trains staff in legal terminology and procedures, document preparation, customer service, and various legal topics

• Provides lead guidance to Self-Help Center staff in the provision of, or may personally provide, assistance to litigants regarding more complex legal issues, procedures, and referrals

• Supports the Supervising Legal Assistant in the daily operations of Self-Help Center services, schedules, and calendars at all locations

• Monitors, maintains, and oversees a variety of workshops and Self-Help Center services

• Prepares, or assists in the preparation of, presentations, spreadsheets, and statistical reports

• Monitors operations to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations

• Assists with maintaining inventory at all locations

• Assists litigants with scheduling of appointments with Self-Help Center attorneys and by offering referrals to appropriate agencies

• Serves as subject matter expert in the services provided by the Self-Help Center to the public, assisting the Supervising Legal Assistant and the Family Law Facilitator/Managing Attorney in the development of operational policies, procedures, and services in response to service needs, judicial requests, workload necessity, and/or legislative actions

• Maintains strict confidentiality

• Demonstrates continuous efforts to improve operations, streamline work processes, and reduce turnaround times

• Works jointly and cooperatively to provide seamless, quality customer service

• Prepares correspondence in response to inquiries regarding court rules, procedures, timelines, and statutory requirements

• Performs general administrative duties as required, including but not limited to compiling data; completing and processing various forms; creating databases and charts; composing, preparing, maintaining and/or processing a variety of records, reports, plans, correspondence, agreements, and contracts, etc.

• Performs routine office duties as required, including but not limited to copying, filing, and assembling documents; data entry; answering phones; processing mail, etc.

• Performs other related duties as assigned

• Family, civil, and probate law

• California Judicial Council forms

• Legal terminology, principles, precedents, procedures, and research methods

• Preparation of legal reports and forms

• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; business letter writing and report preparation

• Modern office practices and technology

• Telephone etiquette

• Learn the organizational, procedural, and operating details of the Superior Court

• Learn and apply applicable statutes, California Rules of Court, and Local Rules relating to court procedures

• Prepare accurate documents and legal reports

• Understand legal terminology, forms, and procedures; accurately gather and report pertinent information

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work

• Exercise tact, diplomacy, and flexibility; work in a stressful environment and exhibit a professional demeanor in difficult situations

• Multi-task amongst a variety of duties; maintain confidentiality; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

• Travel between court facilities or other assigned locations when required

• Operate a variety of office equipment including a personal computer, copier, and telephones

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:  Two (2) years of experience as a Legal Assistant, Paralegal, or other equivalent position; practical experience in family, civil, and probate law, civil litigation and procedures, and legal research and writing are desirable.

Education:  Equivalent to an associate degree in law, paralegal studies, or related field; or a combination of experience and training equal to completion of a two-year legal assistant program supplemented by courses and/or practical experience in civil law, civil litigation and legal research and writing; paralegal certificate is desirable.

Additional Information   

Criminal History Requirement: Candidates are required to pass a criminal history background check.

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required or the ability to provide alternate transportation that meets job requirements.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. 

Personal mobility to work in various office settings, locations and in confined work spaces; manual dexterity to use computers and standard office equipment; ability to lift and carry items occasionally weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds; pushing objects weighing up to 200 pounds and pulling objects weighing up to 100 pounds; physical ability to sit for extended periods of time; stoop, reach overhead, bend, crawl, climb stairs and occasionally climb ladders to access equipment; vision which can be corrected to a level sufficient to read hand-written, typed and computer generated information and data, as well as computer terminal displays; hearing and speech ability sufficient to enable communication by telephone and in person.  

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of this classification, the following work environment characteristics are representative of the environment an employee will encounter. 

Incumbents will perform work inside of buildings, in an office environment and in a controlled environmental facility, with little exposure to outdoor temperatures, dirt, or dust.  The working conditions are typically quiet but may be loud at times at some locations and will require working alone or closely with others.  The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. This role requires heavy use of a computer or laptop, including keyboard and mouse, and routine use of other standard office equipment.

Travel to visit other branches within the county, or neighboring counties, and travel to attend professional meetings and trainings in and outside of the county may be required on a frequent basis.

Normal court business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Projects, maintenance work, and other position duties which impact court operations may necessitate this position working beyond normal business hours or on the weekend.  Alternate work shifts may occur.

Disclaimer: This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an incumbent assigned to this job classification.  It is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of incumbents so classified.

Reasonable accommodations may be available to a qualified individual with a disability which will enable them to perform the essential functions of the classification.

Application Process

Please submit a complete online application, including responses to the required supplemental questions, at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/buttecourt.  Applications will not be accepted by other means.

This recruitment will remain open until November 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM.  The best-qualified candidates will be selected to advance to an interview.