Circuit Judicial Assistant (13th Judicial Circuit)

Hillsborough County•Tampa, FL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The essential function of the position is to provide responsible administrative support to the assigned Circuit Court Judge. This role involves managing the judge's court and professional calendar, scheduling various legal proceedings, and interacting with attorneys, defendants, and their families to resolve scheduling conflicts and case-related issues. The Judicial Assistant is responsible for preparing and distributing orders, reviewing case files for accuracy and completeness, and maintaining trial dockets. They also screen calls and visitors, provide information, and direct individuals to the appropriate personnel. Additionally, the position may involve performing research on defendants using various databases and conducting limited case law research. The role includes reviewing and preparing correspondence, memoranda, and other documents with strict confidentiality, organizing papers for filing, making travel arrangements, and preparing reimbursement vouchers. Interaction with a wide range of individuals including judges, clerks of court, litigants, law enforcement, and the public is expected to exchange information and facilitate task completion. Routine clerical tasks such as processing mail, data entry, ordering supplies, and maintaining records are also part of the duties. The Judicial Assistant is expected to attend staff and professional meetings and workshops to enhance professional skills.

Requirements

Four years of related work experience.
High school diploma or GED and two years of college or vocational school education in paralegal, secretarial skills, computer operations, or a closely related field.
Working knowledge of Trial Court rules and procedures.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and recognize and establish work priorities.
Ability to handle sensitive matters with integrity and confidentiality.
Possess strong writing and computer skills.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Ability to handle individuals who are under stress with courtesy, tact and patience.
Ability to organize and coordinate schedules of various individuals and/or groups on the court calendar.
Perform administrative and problem-solving functions following guidelines and rules; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or shifting priorities and workplace pressures.
Ability to operate standard office equipment including personal computers and data entry applications for case management.
Ability to become proficient in Westlaw.
Work requires a high standard of conduct. Incumbent must be professional in all regards.

Nice To Haves

Additional relevant education may substitute for the recommended experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Prepare and maintain the judge’s court and professional calendar; schedules motions, hearings, conferences, and trials at the request of the judge.
Interact with attorneys, defendants, and their family members to resolve problems such as scheduling conflicts or other case-related issues.
Prepare and distributes orders as directed by the judge; assists judge in preparing a calendar several months in advance.
Review case files for accuracy, format compliance, and completeness prior to submitting files to the judge; ensures presence of all required files; and maintains trial dockets, continuances, and trial orders.
Screen telephone calls and visitors to the judge’s office; provides information; resolves issues; directs caller/visitor to proper personnel; or takes messages.
Perform research on defendants utilizing various databases; may conduct limited case law research using an electronic database.
Review and prepares correspondence, memoranda, orders, reports, e-mails, and other documents observing strict confidentiality; organizes papers for filing; makes travel arrangements for conferences and meetings; and prepares compensation and travel reimbursement vouchers.
Interact with judges, clerks of court, litigants, law enforcement personnel, bailiffs, social services, witnesses, and the general public to exchange information or to facilitate task completion.
Perform routine clerical tasks such as processing incoming mail, performing data entry, ordering office supplies, maintaining files/records, faxing, scanning, or photocopying.
Attend staff and other professional meetings to exchange information.
Attend technical or professional workshops or seminars to improve professional skills.