Legal Assistant- County Attorney

Nature of Work

Who We Are:

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is a public law office in Northern Arizona located in the heart of Flagstaff. We are a team of approximately 20 attorneys and 30 legal staff who are dedicated to the vigorous and fair prosecution of crime throughout Coconino County, the protection of the rights of crime victims, and effective legal representation of the County and County special districts. We believe in working for something bigger than ourselves, providing us with incomparable job satisfaction.

Our Mission:

We preserve and protect the Community's sense of Justice and Fairness. When injustice occurs you can have confidence in us to pursue remedies that are Just; and Fair; and Reasoned; and Complete. We contribute certainty and stability to our local governments every day in the advice we deliver and the services we offer.

Our Values:

Justice: We advocate for fair and equitable outcomes.

Service: We value working for something bigger than ourselves.

Trust: We inspire confidence with truth, reliability, and respect.

Integrity: We honor our commitments with courage.

Connection: We invest in each other and our community.

Excellence: We strive to be our best every day.

Under supervision performs work of moderate difficulty in supporting and assisting criminal and civil attorneys; performs related work as assigned.

PLEASE NOTE :

The Coconino County Attorney's Office is using this posting to fill two Legal Assistant positions. One regular full-time position and one limited appointment full-time position ending December 31, 2024.

Typical Duties

LEGAL ASSISTANT I:

TYPICAL DUTIES:(Illustrative only)

* Provides legal support work to attorneys for law-related tasks
* Prepares and edits documents as requested by attorneys and staff
* Maintains and updates files
* Files court documents
* Keeps documents organized in the interim before they are filed
* Follows procedure for calendaring of events, notifies, and sends reminders to appropriate staff and clients and maintains the master calendar of deadlines
* Enters, updates, and retrieves information using multiple systems and databases.
* Collects, organizes, and prepares files and materials for attorneys for use in court appearances or for transacting other legal business
* Receipts and processes emotionally traumatic and graphic material
* Schedules appointments and maintains calendars
* Coordinates witness travel
* Arranges for proper waiting location for witnesses, greet, support, and update all witnesses needed for trial
* Provides administrative support to include but not limited to, stamping files, filing, answering telephones, faxing, creating communications and making copies
* May prepare and process new cases for review
* May receive payments and reconcile accounts
* May run conflict checks on new cases assigned to the office

LEGAL ASSISTANT II

TYPICAL DUTIES: (Illustrative only)

* Performs the duties of Legal Assistant I
* Formats, composes, and types correspondence and other documents from written drafts and verbal directives on routine to moderately complex legal documents and confidential matters
* Gathers, reviews, and verifies case documentation
* Develops and secures evidence and documentation
* Prepares for depositions and trials
* Prepares subpoenas
* Assists attorneys, and witnesses with coordination of criminal and civil case matters and documents for court proceedings
* Facilitates compliance with criminal and civil procedures in accordance with state and federal statute
* Maintains statutorily required confidentiality of case matters
* Files court documents both electronically and physically
* Enters data and tracks statistical information
* Processes criminal and civil case management
* Disseminates dispositional information
* Assists in training Legal Assistant Is
* May secure defendants from other jurisdictions to resolve pending charges
* May verify and validate court personnel and attorneys
* May assist in processing case assignments to contract attorneys
* May assist in processing vendor payments

LEGAL ASSISTANT III

TYPICAL DUTIES:(Illustrative only)

* Performs duties of Legal Assistant I and II
* Conducts investigative research
* Participates in witness and victim interviews
* Acts as a liaison between attorneys, courts, clients, witnesses, other agencies, and the public
* Preparation of subpoenas, monitoring and updating subpoena tracking system.
* Assists and attends court hearings, depositions, and meetings with attorney as needed.
* Trains and monitors interns and temporary personnel in legal functions
* Provides input and recommendations for revisions to procedure manuals
* Acts as a case management and database subject matter expert, training others on system usage and best practice.
* Assists in training Legal Assistant I and II

Essential functions of the position include but not limited to: sitting; working with and around others; dealing with interruptions; repetitive motion (hand/wrist, elbow/shoulder) for computer work, filing; vision acuity (near/far) for computer work and filing; hearing and speech for ordinary conversations; finger dexterity for typing. Must be able to lift 40+ pounds and push 75+ pounds.

Minimum Qualifications

LEGAL ASSISTANT I:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Two years' experience in a clerical or administrative position; OR any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

This position is non-exempt from overtime.

LEGAL ASSISTANT II:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Three years' experience in a clerical or administrative position with two years' experience in a legal environment; OR any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

This position is non-exempt from overtime.

LEGAL ASSISTANT III:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Four years' experience in a clerical or administrative position in a legal environment; OR any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

This position is non-exempt from overtime.

Preferred qualificationsinclude prior clerical or administrative experience in a legal environment supporting attorneys; records management experience; data-entry experience; possess working knowledge of the criminal justice system and legal terminology; and advanced proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

The ideal candidatewill have prior clerical or administrative experience in a legal environment supporting attorneys, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to work effectively and efficiently in a diverse office setting, as well as be organized, detail oriented. The Ideal candidate will dedicate required time and energy to assignments or tasks to ensure high standards of performance and will solve problems quickly and effectively with minimal assistance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of:

* Business English, spelling, arithmetic, punctuation, and grammar
* Office practices and procedures
* Legal procedures and terminology

Skill in:

* Use of computer systems, software programs, and other office machines
* Report preparation

Ability to:

* Compose correspondence dealing with legal and complex matters
* Maintain composure working with individuals in a heightened emotional state under strict time constraints
* Field complaints and concerns
* Understand legal procedures and terminology
* Exercise sound independent judgment on a variety of problems in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures
* Prioritize, plan and carry out assignments
* Work safely and support the culture of workplace safety
* Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public
* Follow written and verbal instructions
* Communicate effectively verbally and in writing

Coconino County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.