Job Description

Posting number: 24-00223

Department: Probation & Youth Opportunity Center

Division: Probation

Job classification: Legal Clerk I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Probation

Summary

The Del Norte County Probation Office is seeking a qualified candidate to fill one (1) vacancy for the position of Legal Clerk. This position is classified as full-time.

Expected Hire Pay Scale:

Legal Clerk I: $1,483.52 - $1,635.59

Legal Clerk II: $1,558.63 - $1,718.39

Legal Clerk III: $1,637.54 - $1,805.39

*Current County employees may be eligible for a higher step placement per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Level I and II: To perform specialized and moderately complex legal clerical work and/or receptionist duties; and to perform duties and activities associated with departmental legal proceedings and matters.

Level III: To oversee and/or perform the more complex legal clerical duties related to the initiation, processing and recording of legal documents; to relieve departmental or divisional administrators of routine administrative details and to independently respond to various inquiries and correspondence. The work consists of routine to complex legal duties at a lead person level.

Examples of duties

Essential job duties may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Types reports, motions, pleadings, letters complaints, warrants, notices and/or a variety of documents gathering the information from various sources.
• Maintains case control as it pertains to proceedings with the court associated with departmental functions.
• Files various reports, statements and documents according to established alphabetical, numerical, and/or chronological systems.
• Contacts other agencies or individuals obtaining and documenting information as required.
• Complies and organizes reports court documents related to courtroom presentation.
• Assists in and/or prepares court documents related to courtroom presentation.
• Provides copies of investigative reports and documents used by staff in processing or prosecution of cases.
• Performs routine counter work; acts as information source for various agencies other departments and the general public.
• Prepares, files and distributes confidential reports.
• May arrange transportation and lodging for non-local witnesses or persons required to appear in court related to criminal prosecution.
• May transcribe opinions, pretrial orders, minute orders, jury instructions, verdicts, petitions, summons, and other legal/judicial documents.
• May interview persons coming into office with inquiries to evaluate the inquiry to refer to appropriate office action.
• May perform clerical work of a confidential nature.
• May maintain and process unit billing records, service statements, permits, applications and/or other related documents.
• Performs related duties as required.

Level III Duties:

• Performs the more complex legal clerical duties related to the initiation, processing and recording of legal and/or judicial documents and transactions as it pertains to departmental function.
• Assists in relieving departmental or divisional administrators of routine administrative details relative to function of the legal staff.
• Monitors the progress of legal documents through administrative and/or judicial process to ensure timely and proper processing.
• Oversees and participates in the maintenance of case control as it pertains to proceedings with the court associated with departmental functions.
• Supervises and participates in the maintenance of case control as it pertains to proceedings with the court associated with departmental functions.
• Oversees departmental files consisting of various reports, statements and documents according to established alphabetical, numerical and/or chronological systems.
• Oversees and assists in and/or prepares court documents related to courtroom presentation in processing or prosecution of cases.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation, filing and distribution of confidential reports, documents, etc.
• Assists in the selection of support staff, trains support staff in office policies and procedures.
• May assign, prioritize and evaluate the work of subordinate staff in office policies and procedures.
• May perform routine counter work; act as information source for various agencies, other departments and the general public.
• May perform legal and other clerical work of a routine, complex and/or confidential nature.
• May maintain and process unit billing records, services statements, permits, applications and/or other related documents.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Legal Clerk I: Graduation from high school or equivalent education with experience in responsible office and administrative support work.
• Legal Clerk II: Graduation from high school or equivalent education supplemented with college course work in a related field; A minimum of one (1) year experience in responsible clerical work, preferably with the use of legal terminology and court procedures. This work consists of varied and complex clerical and legal duties at a journeyman level.
• Legal Clerk III: Graduation from high school supplemented with college course work in a legal related field, three (3) years experience in a legal setting including some experience in direction or supervision of clerical personnel, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental information

Knowledge of:

• Legal terminology, statutory time limits, and procedures.
• English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Modern office methods, procedures, equipment and practices.
• In addition, level III knowledge of:
• English grammar, spelling, punctuation and composition at a level used in complex legal writing and editing.

Ability to:

• Type legal documents rapidly and accurately at a rate sufficient to perform duties satisfactorily (45 WPM minimum).
• Learn, interpret and apply policies, laws, rules and regulations for an operational unit.
• Perform responsible legal clerical work with speed, accuracy and confidentiality.
• Prioritize work to meet statutory time limits pertaining to cases.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with legal and judicial personnel, outside agencies, fellow workers and the general public.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• In addition, level III abilities:
• Respond to the support needs of the administrative staff.
• Assume responsibility for managing the procedural activities of the office and/or departmental units.
• Apply rules, regulations and legal procedures in making independent determination on the best possible resolution to office directed problems or situations.
• Type legal documents rapidly and accurately at a rate sufficient to perform duties satisfactorily (55-60 WPM minimum).
• Prioritize and direct the work of others to meet statutory time limits pertaining to cases.
• Oversee and maintain case files, reports, documents and various materials.
• Compose and/or process complex legal documents and/or letters.