Paralegal - Family Division

Calhoun County Government; Battle Creek (MI); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Holidays

Hybrid and flexible scheduling

401(k) with County match

Near-Site Clinic

Tuition reimbursement up to $3,000

Job summary

Calhoun County Government seeks an Office Assistant/Paralegal for the Circuit Court to handle clerical tasks, set up case files, process documents, schedule hearings, and manage notices.

The role involves data entry, filing, and coordinating with attorneys, parties, and the public, with hybrid work eligibility after probation.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential for ensuring accurate court records and smooth operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years experience in an office or clerical environment in a court or closely related setting preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.

Responsibilities

• Establishes case files and files documents; includes receiving petitions and examining for accuracy and completeness, entering case information into the case management system, and filing case reports and other documents.
• Schedules, prepares, and processes appointments, notices, and/or hearings.
• Prepares and issues notices and summons, appoints attorneys, and enters into court calendar.
• Ensures legal service of process, completed case reports and proper notice prior to scheduled hearings.
• Provides and collects information to/from coworkers, parties, parents, youth, attorneys, and the public regarding case status, scheduled proceedings, court policies and procedures, and related matters.
• Prepares and processes legal documents before and after court proceedings. Enters case or financial dispositions into case management system. Schedules for the next event.
• For Friend of the Court assignments – may assist with location of individuals for establishment or enforcement, DNA testing, child support calculations with approved software.
• Prepares and processes bench warrants, warrant recalls, writs of apprehension, validates warrants in LEIN when required.
• Prepares correspondence or financial documentation, memos, notices, reports, or letters for Court staff.
• Enters and modifies case financial information per court order.
• May record court proceedings or assist in courtroom with judge or referee.
• May perform a variety of other tasks, such as jury operations, case file and document management, and other related tasks.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Some college / Associate degree / Paralegal degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join Our Team at Calhoun County Government!
At Calhoun County, you’ll find more than just a job, you’ll find purpose. Our employees make a meaningful impact every day by serving our community. Whether you’re supporting essential services, improving local systems, or helping residents thrive, your work contributes to something bigger. We’re proud to foster a collaborative, supportive workplace where people are valued for their ideas and dedication to public service. If you’re looking for a career that makes a difference, we invite you to explore opportunities with Calhoun County Government.

Summary

Under the supervision of the assigned department unit managers within the Circuit Court, the Office Assistant/Paralegal performs a variety of legal clerical tasks involved in processing court cases. Job responsibilities may include setting up case files, processing legal documents, scheduling appointments and hearings, preparing correspondence, notice, and reports, data entry, and filing documents with the court clerk. Office Assistants/Paralegals are part of a large clerical support system within the Circuit Court. Specific job assignments for Office Assistants/Paralegals may be changed periodically to match the needs of the Court. The Office Assistant/Paralegal job description includes tasks that may be part of any job assignment, but each department assignment has a unique set of tasks. During the interview process, candidates will be informed of the open unit positions being filled.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Establishes case files and files case documents; includes receiving petitions and examining for accuracy and completeness, entering case information into the case management system, and filing case reports and other documents.
• Schedules, prepares, and processes appointments, notices, and/or hearings.
• Prepares and issues notices and summons, appoints attorneys, and enters into court calendar.
• Ensures legal service of process, completed case reports and proper notice prior to scheduled hearings.
• Provides and collects information to/from coworkers, parties, parents, youth, attorneys, and the public regarding case status, scheduled proceedings, court policies and procedures, and related matters.
• Prepares and processes legal documents before and after court proceedings. Enters case or financial dispositions into case management system. Schedules for the next event.
• For Friend of the Court assignments – may assist with location of individuals for establishment or enforcement, DNA testing, child support calculations with approved software.
• Prepares and processes bench warrants, warrant recalls, writs of apprehension, validates warrants in L.E.I.N when required.
• Prepares correspondence or financial documentation, memos, notices, reports, or letters for Court staff.
• Enters and modifies case financial information per court order.
• May record court proceedings or assist in courtroom with judge or referee.
• May perform a variety of other tasks, such as jury operations, case file and document management, and other related tasks.

Employees of Calhoun County Friend of the Court must submit to pre-employment fingerprinting and criminal history screening to determine eligibility to access federal tax information pursuant to IRS requirements.

Job Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required; some college, associate degree, or Paralegal degree preferred.
• Two years experience in an office or clerical environment in a court or closely related setting preferred. Customer service and sales experience also considered.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, desire to problem solve, improve processes, learn new computer software, personally engage with the public and co-workers both in person and electronically, interest in legal proceedings, desire to provide courteous accurate information to inquiries regarding court services.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Working Conditions

Hybrid Work Classification: Hybrid Eligible after probationary period
Flexibility Classification: Fixed Schedule

• Largely sedentary role with extensive computer work
• Frequent work with the public and customers

Wage Range

$18.76 - $27.24 USD

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Calhoun County Government offers benefits designed to support your wellbeing at work and beyond. Our employees enjoy competitive pay, health and retirement plans, generous time off, and opportunities for professional growth. Benefits for 40 hours/week positions are highlighted below:

• Paid Time Off: 6.47 hours per pay period (hourly) or 4.2 weeks annually (salaried)
• Holidays: Enjoy 14 paid holidays per year
• Flexibility: Hybrid and flexible scheduling for eligible positions
• Retirement: 401(k) with up to 7% County match
• Near-Site Clinic: Convenient preventative and primary care with on-site medications
• Education: Up to$3,000 annually in tuition reimbursement

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Calhoun County Government’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.