Legal Assistant - Franklin/Smithfield

Commonwealth of Virginia; Franklin (VA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

State benefits

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Virginia is seeking a Legal Assistant in Franklin/Smithfield to provide administrative and clerical support for attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists within the Public Defender Office. This at-will position reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Smithfield Office and emphasizes organized filing, call handling, and client coordination.

The role requires proficiency in Word, Excel, and Google Suite, with strong communication skills and the ability to work

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of office practices and procedures (letters, memos, legal documents)
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel
• Familiarity with Google Suite apps (Gmail, Google Docs)
• Experience creating/managing electronic and manual filing systems; keyboarding skills
• Strong oral and written communication; able to work independently and in teams
• Ability to communicate compassionately with clients and other stakeholders in a legal setting

Responsibilities

• Greeting visitors and operating a multi-line phone system
• Screening calls, scheduling appointments, and forwarding information
• Typing, editing, and reviewing memos and legal documents
• Maintaining filing and record-keeping systems
• Distributing mail and coordinating mail handling
• Interacting with clients, public defender colleagues, and judicial personnel

Skills

Office procedures

Communication (oral/written)

Independent & collaborative work

Typing/keyboarding

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Google Suite

Job description

Title

Legal Assistant - Franklin/Smithfield

State Role Title

Admin and Office Specialist I

Hiring Range

$42,145.00 + State Benefits

Agency

Indigent Defense Commission

Location

FRANKLIN 313

Agency Website

www.vadefenders.org

Recruitment Type

General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC), a Commonwealth of Virginia Independent Agency, is dedicated to protecting and defending the rights of our clients through zealous, compassionate, high-quality legal advocacy. The Smithfield Public Defender Office is committed to providing dedicated, compassionate, client-based, and community-embedded representation for our indigent clients. The Smithfield Public Defender Office is now accepting applications for the administrative position of Legal Assistant. The qualified candidate will provide administrative and clerical support for attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists in the Public Defender office. The Legal Assistant position reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Smithfield Office and is employed at-will.

• ● Greeting persons entering the Public Defender Office and operating a multi-line telephone system.
• ● Screening and forwarding calls, providing information to callers, taking messages, and scheduling appointments.
• ● Typing, editing, and reviewing memos, letters, and various types of legal documents.
• ● Maintaining a filing and record-keeping system.
• ● Collecting, sorting, distributing, and preparing mail.
• ● Communicating and interacting with public defender office colleagues, clients, and judicial system personnel.

The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our workforce. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• ● The position requires a working knowledge of office practices and procedures including creating and editing letters, memos, and legal documents.
• ● The position requires experience using Microsoft applications, specifically Word and Excel.
• ● The position requires familiarity with Google Suite applications, including Gmail, Google Docs, etc.
• ● The qualified candidate will have experience creating and managing an electronic and manual filing system and skills in keyboarding.
• ● The qualified candidate will effectively communicate both orally and in writing and work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-driven environment.
• ● The Legal Assistant position also requires the ability to communicate both effectively and compassionately with clients as well as their support networks and other participants in the legal system.

Additional Considerations

Prior Experience within the criminal justice system will be strongly considered. Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish will be strongly considered.

Eligibility & Background

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) depending on your type of loan.

Contact Information

Name: Ashley Washington

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.