Administrative Assistant - PDD Springfield

Committee for Public Counsel Services • Springfield, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the public defender agency for Massachusetts, is seeking to fill an Administrative Assistant position for its Public Defender Division (PDD) Springfield Office. PDD provides legal representation to adults in criminal court cases, including District and Superior Court. We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all. CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The PDD Springfield Office provides public defense services for Hampden County, and it services one of the busiest courts in the Commonwealth. Though one of the largest offices in the state, PDD Springfield is a close-knit office with a strong culture of teamwork and cooperation. The office has been at the forefront of cutting-edge litigation addressing police misconduct and counsel shortage crises. Attorneys in the office manage diverse caseloads in District and Superior Court; they also benefit from frequent in-office trainings and case mooting, and from having an in-house Spanish interpreter. The office has new facilities close to the courthouse, free parking, and staff social service advocates, investigators, and administrative assistants. The Public Defender Division is seeking to fill an Administrative Assistant position to work with attorneys who provide legal representation and advocacy to indigent adults in criminal misdemeanor and felony cases in area courts.

Requirements

• At least one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in administrative work
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely
• Highly organized, creative and detail oriented
• Enjoys interacting with people in a friendly work environment
• Communicating effectively with internal and external contacts at all levels, and across diverse and underrepresented groups
• Strong communication, organizational, and detail skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with diverse colleagues at all levels of the agency, and the ability to work as an effective team member
• Flexibility, and strict adherence to confidentiality

Nice To Haves

• Typing skill of 50 to 60 wpm preferred
• Familiarity with advanced Word formatting and editing, and Microsoft Excel
• Legal office experience a plus
• Foreign language skills are strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Opening and closing cases, including running conflict checks
• Word processing, including preparation of CORI requests, subpoenas, motions, letters, running sheet entries, etc.
• Filing, faxing, photocopying, scanning, and shredding documents, transcriptions and transcript requests and other document and record requests as necessary
• Providing telephone and reception services
• Communicating effectively with internal and external contacts at all levels, and across diverse and underrepresented groups
• Other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree