Judicial Assistant

Job Summary
Reporting to a Circuit Court Judge, the Judicial Assistant performs highly responsible, complex and confidential administrative assistance. Serves as a liaison between the Circuit Court Judges, callers and office visitors, including but not limited to news media, attorneys, litigants, local, state and federal officials and the general public; coordinates the day-to-day operations and functions of the Court.

Each judicial assistant is the face of their respective circuit court branch and requires an individual with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail is a must.
Essential Duties
Types correspondence, orders and decisions, court appointments; prepares travel vouchers, reports, dispositions, memoranda, pretrial worksheets, briefing schedules and notices. Composes and types correspondence and forms. Reviews attorney billing statement to ensure compliance with guidelines. Notarizes documents and processes confidential reports.

Learns, uses and understands Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP). Enter data, scan and e-file documents and information into Court Record and, if necessary, route to other court staff or judge for further action. Provides computer assistance to Circuit Court Judge.

Performs calendar management activities which includes scheduling court hearings, trials, meetings and judicial education of the Circuit Court Judge. Conducts civil and family scheduling conferences with litigants and/or attorneys which include determining which cases are to be scheduled by utilizing pending case list. Contacts attorneys and relevant parties to schedule court dates. Works with Department of Corrections’ employees to arrange telephone appearances for inmates.

Updates weekly calendar which includes checking to ensure accuracy. Responsible for making sure the calendar is distributed to court staff. Creates and prints the judges’ specific case calendars; coordinates judicial education and lodging, vacations scheduled and arranges for coverage on scheduled and unscheduled time off.

Receives, screens and places telephone calls, direct calls to proper individuals, provides information and assistance to callers and the general public. Deals directly with the public and attorneys to provide information and answer inquiries. Assist pro se litigants.

Performs jury management, orders jury panels, prepares jury instructions and verdicts for jury trials, order meals for jurors during jury trials, schedules bailiffs for jury trials, maintains jury supplies. Schedules interpreters and security for court hearings, when needed; schedules bailiffs for court calendars.

Performs administrative duties related to alternative treatment courts—Drug, Mental Health, OWI and Veterans Courts.

Performs case management; reviews pending case list; initiates action on cases. Manages out-of-county case assignments and requests for substitution of judge.

Processes mail and other correspondence. Utilizes dictation equipment.

Maintains judge’s library.

OTHER DUTIES:
Prepares and mails out monthly divorce mailings.

Maintain attorney list for Dean appointments.

Take in Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports from Probation and Parole and enter into Court Record. Provide PSI to appropriate judge.

Schedule Courthouse weddings and answer wedding line on rotating basis.

Fills in for Office Manager when she is not available to take minutes from meetings.

Provides coverage for other courts and Office Manager as needed.

Assists law enforcement when presenting subpoenas, warrants, etc. to Circuit Court Judge.
Minimum Qualifications Required
Education and Experience:

Associate Degree in Paralegal studies with three to five years of legal clerical experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.

Licenses and Certifications:

None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of general office skills, practices, procedures and equipment.

Knowledge of practices and procedures of the Court and law in general.

Knowledge of legal terminology.

Knowledge of secretarial practices and procedures.

Knowledge and ability to utilize a computer and the required software.

Knowledge of CCAP.

Ability to effectively utilize a Dictaphone to take and transcribe dictation.

Ability to type at a minimum rate of 60 net words per minute.

Ability to use computerized records management; verify status of cases and accuracy of records.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to independently answer inquiries and complaints effectively with tact and courtesy and resolve public relation problems as necessary.

Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality, discretion and integrity.

Ability to work independently on a variety of work assignments, exercise judgment and diplomacy, and prioritize duties with minimal supervision.

Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple tasks at a given time.

Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with the public, legal community, judges and other employees.

Ability to compose and prepare effective correspondence and reports and create new forms, as needed, as well as revise correspondence and improve existing forms.

Ability to work the required hours of the position.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/browncounty

Deadline Note: