Legal Assistant: Part

Park County; Livingston (MT); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Park County in Livingston, MT seeks an administrative support specialist to assist the County Attorney and staff attorneys. Duties include proofreading, filing, serving subpoenas, and routing inquiries with accuracy and discretion.

The role requires experience with court procedures, cash handling, and confidentiality in a busy legal environment. Responsibilities encompass drafting basic documents, handling money related to assessments, and coordinating with law enforcement and other agencies.

Qualifications

• The required knowledge and abilities typically come from a high school diploma (or GED) plus three years of related work experience.
• Ability to provide good customer service, handle cash, and maintain confidentiality.
• Familiarity with common office equipment and basic computer use is expected.

Responsibilities

• Proof, copy, distribute, and file documents for court dates in criminal, youth, civil, or mental cases.
• Serve subpoenas and forward paperwork to appropriate agencies with accuracy.
• Provide discovery materials to defense counsel or defendants when requested.
• Coordinate pre-omnibus meetings and manage non-sufficient fund processing and related deposits.
• Assist the public by directing questions to the right department or staff.

Skills

Multi-tasking

Customer service

Cash handling

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or GED

3 years related work experience

Tools

Copiers

Printers

Phones

Fax machines

Calculators

Job description

ASSIGNED DUTIES AND TASKS

Position overview: The position is responsible for performing a wide variety of administrative support functions for the County Attorney and staff Attorneys as they prepare for and try civil and criminal cases in Park County. This support includes ensuring paperwork is proofed, filed, copies and forwarded, as applicable, to parties involved; that witness subpoenas are served and paperwork forwarded to appropriate agencies with a high degree of accuracy.

This position requires multi-tasking, independent work performance, independent problem solving, and screening of incoming calls and drop-ins to determine priority level for attorneys. This position also requires a comprehensive level of understanding of the court system, legal terminology, confidentiality and services available on a local and statewide basis to assist the public. The position is responsible for receiving and properly processing monies for assessments and bad checks for merchants and the public. This position also deals with the public, defense attorneys, the courts, and other departments and provides them with assistance independent of the attorneys. In addition, the position requires some legal drafting of documents and independent research for documentation requested by the attorneys.

This position is subject to a fingerprinting process and a comprehensive background check to ensure compliance with legal and organizational standards. Candidates must consent to these requirements as a condition of employment.

Each essential duty listed below makes up a portion of the job, and all other functions are included in Other Duties as Assigned. Duties of the position are not all inclusive and subject to change.

Daily duties:

• To proof, copy, distribute and file all necessary documents related to criminal, youth, civil or mental cases, on a timely basis for court dates.
• To ensure that paperwork to be served on a witness or defendant is sent to the appropriate law enforcement agency for personal service in a timely manner for court dates.
• To provide discovery to defense counsel or to the defendant if requested, on each defendant’s case. Make copies of all reports, narratives, forensic results, and any other information directed by superior.
• To make appointments for pre-omnibus meetings with Deputy County Attorney for all defendants not having counsel.
• To process and handle non-sufficient fund checks (NSF). Issue certified letters to NSF check writers demanding payment. Make receipt of payments, reimburse merchants and, if necessary, issue complaints and warrants. Make deposits and balance accounts in a timely fashion.
• To assist the public by referring them to the right individual or department for resolution of their question or problem.
• To draft legal documents, such as motions to dismiss, subpoenas, etc.
• To screen telephone calls and drop-ins to determine whether assistance can be provided by the county attorneys and/or coordinator, the level of priority of the assistance needed, and/or referral to other appropriate agencies and/or services. Call back parties with information after consulting with attorneys.
• To conduct independent research into documentation for attorneys as requested, including research of old court files, documents from the clerk and recorder’s office, or calling other agencies to request documentation be forwarded.
• To prepare drafts of legal documents for extradition of defendants from other states, including requesting governor’s warrants.
• To track and process the opening and closure of all files.
• To perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED:

Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by the County Attorney. This includes participating in special projects, filling in for other employees, participating in ongoing training, and a variety of other functions as needed. Attends approved seminars/workshops.

KNOWLEDGE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school (or GED) plus three (3) years job-related work experience. Experience working directly with the public, ability to balance cash draw accurately is preferred along with familiarity with legal terminology required for this position (State of Montana). Must have the ability to multi task while providing good customer service. Basic knowledge of general office equipment such copiers, printers, phones, fax, and calculators is necessary. Demonstrated skills with computer, and Microsoft applications, data entry, typing accuracy with a minimum speed of 40+ wpm, and the ability to work in and deal with high stress situations; and the ability to keep all matters confidential. Notary Public helpful.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Carries out standardized practices and procedures, guidelines, and methods are available to ensure compliance with statutes, rules, requirements, and laws. This position must be able to learn, retain and understand Montana Laws. Specific laws, regulations and processes are available and must be followed.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The position requires handling non‑public confidential information. The person in the position acknowledges the confidential nature of non‑public information regarding county employees and elected officials. Consistent with applicable policy and guidelines, this position will respect and safeguard the privacy of employees, elected officials and Park County and the confidential nature of information in accordance with Montana state law, without limiting the general nature of this commitment. This position will not access or seek to gain access to confidential information regarding any past or present employees, elected officials, and Park County in the course of fulfilling job responsibilities. The person in the position hereby acknowledges that the person understands that in this context, confidential information is considered all non‑public information that can be personally associated with an individual.

INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION

The position works within established office structure. Work may be reviewed while in progress or upon completion. The County Attorney is available to provide assistance as needed. This position carries out some assignments independently, and uses judgment and initiative to solve problems. Will work to develop and recommend new processes and procedures in the office identifying inefficiencies, frequent errors, etc. Work objectives and priorities are defined by Park County Attorney.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

This person has contacts with attorneys, other county employees, and members of the public to exchange factual information, coordinate routine activities, resolve problems, and respond to various inquiries that may require some interpretation of agency policies. The contacts must be friendly, professional, tactful and courteous at all times.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by and successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee is frequently required to stand, sit, and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. On a regular basis, the employee is required to reach with hands and arms, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.

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