Administrative Assistant

UNKNOWN; United States; On-site; USD 48,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania is seeking an Administrative Assistant to provide administrative and legal support to the Office of Chief Legal Counsel (OCLC). The role includes managing opinion filing, case information, routine orders and correspondence, and coordination with chambers and other Court offices.

You will independently handle established administrative processes under attorney supervision, review opinions for accuracy, post opinions electronically, maintain PACMS records,

Qualifications

• Four years of progressively responsible experience in a court or government legal office handling legal documents and case records.
• An associate degree or paralegal certificate and two years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Satisfactory criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Review opinions for administrative and technical accuracy before filing, including votes, captions, docket information, formatting, citations, and filing requirements.
• Coordinate electronic opinion posting with AOPC and distribution to publishing services; verify before publication.
• Maintain PACMS queues, case assignments, votes, filings, and deadlines; monitor matters through disposition.
• Prepare routine orders, case management orders, notices, memoranda, correspondence, and reports.
• Answer routine procedural questions from chambers staff; refer novel questions to an attorney or manager.
• Organize and move work through shared queues and provide backup coverage during absences or high-volume periods.
• Maintain accurate records and process guides; use Court technology to track work and prepare reports.
• Identify recurring workflow problems and assist with approved improvements while preserving review controls.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Knowledge of legal terminology

Clear writing and communication skills

Education

Associate degree or paralegal certificate

Tools

PACMS

Microsoft 365

Job description

Established in 1968, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania is an intermediate appellate court responsible for matters involving state and local governments and appeals from state agencies and the Courts of Common Pleas. You will be joining a distinguished and well-respected organization that provides employees with appropriate compensation, excellent benefits, and opportunities to learn and grow.

The Commonwealth Court is seeking an Administrative Assistant to provide administrative and legal support to the Office of Chief Legal Counsel (OCLC). The employee helps manage opinion filing and publication, case information, routine orders and correspondence, and coordination with judicial chambers and other Court offices. The employee independently handles established administrative processes and refers legal or substantive issues for attorney or management review. Legal work is performed under attorney supervision and final review.

Typical Duties

• Review opinions for administrative and technical accuracy before filing, including votes, captions, docket information, formatting, citations, and filing requirements; refer discrepancies to the appropriate judicial or legal staff.
• Coordinate electronic opinion posting with AOPC, distribution to publishing services, verification before publication, and access to unpublished opinions.
• Maintain OCLC queues, case assignments, votes, filings, and deadlines in PACMS; monitor assigned matters through disposition.
• Prepare routine orders, case management orders, filing notices, memoranda, correspondence, argument materials, and reports, including for election and other time-sensitive matters.
• Answer routine procedural questions from chambers staff about opinion circulation, voting, filing, and publication; refer novel or substantive questions to an attorney or manager.
• Help organize and move work through shared queues and provide backup coverage during absences or high-volume periods.
• Maintain accurate records and process guides; use Court technology to track work, standardize recurring documents, and prepare reports.
• Identify recurring workflow problems and assist with approved improvements while preserving required review controls.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four years of progressively responsible experience in a court, law office, government legal office, or comparable setting involving legal documents, case records, or regulated administrative processes; or
• An associate degree or paralegal certificate and two years of relevant experience; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Satisfactory criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal education in paralegal studies, legal studies, public administration, or a related field, including an ABA-approved paralegal program.
• Experience with PACMS or another electronic case management system, legal filings, appellate court procedures, or routine legal documents.
• Experience developing templates or process guides, improving workflows, or cross-training colleagues.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal terminology, documents, and court procedures, and the ability to learn the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Court’s Internal Operating Procedures.
• Ability to review detailed documents and case information for accuracy and completeness, manage competing deadlines, and respond to urgent matters.
• Sound judgment, discretion with confidential information, and the ability to recognize issues requiring attorney, judicial, or management review.
• Clear writing and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with chambers, Court staff, attorneys, publishers, and the public.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and the ability to learn PACMS, document management, and web publication systems; ability to work independently and provide backup coverage.

Salary: $48,128-$62,834 Starting salary will vary depending upon the qualifications and employment history of the selected candidate.

In the Pennsylvania Courts, people are our priority. Become part of a dynamic and diverse branch of government focused on promoting access to justice for all. Discover fulfilling opportunities that align with your passion, and be part of a team dedicated to making a positive impact through public service. Explore the possibilities with us at the Pennsylvania Courts – where career meets purpose.