Judicial Assistant

State of Nebraska•Omaha, NE

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Judicial Assistant provides advanced judicial and/or administrative support to judges and judicial administrators under limited supervision. The role handles sensitive judicial and administrative matters, coordinates court schedules, prepares case files and legal documents, and may perform courtroom clerk duties. It involves complex secretarial and clerical work, including decision-making that requires considerable knowledge and independent judgment. The position is based at the Douglas County Courthouse in Omaha, Nebraska. The starting salary is $45,007.11 annually. A 2.5% pay increase may follow successful completion of probation for employees starting at the hiring rate; higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to management approval. Annual cost-of-living adjustments are subject to State Legislature approval.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Four years of progressively responsible experience in legal or other administrative support work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
Educational credits must be from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; office administrative and secretarial practices; legal terminology, procedures, and concepts; court policies and procedures; courtroom forms and documents; customer service principles; modern office practices; filing systems; and computers and related software.
Skills in maintaining records and files; assembling and organizing data; composing correspondence; researching, compiling, and summarizing information; operating computers and software; providing customer service; managing case files; processing information using established procedures; preparing reports and forms; using proper English, grammar, punctuation, and spelling; and communicating and interacting effectively with coworkers, supervisors, the public, and others.
Primarily sedentary work, with any slight physical effort not exceeding 20 pounds.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the judge’s schedule with court administration, attorneys, prosecutor’s staff, law enforcement officials, and other case participants.
Ensure case files and related materials are available; review documents, obtain required signatures, and distribute documents to appropriate offices or individuals.
Research and compile informational materials, contact County department representatives for materials, and research legal information to ensure appropriate documents are provided for judges’ signatures.
Summarize compiled information and prepare periodic or specialized court reports.
Compose legal documents, correspondence, reports, and forms from drafts, notes, dictated tapes, or brief instructions; independently compose standard correspondence and other materials. Take and transcribe dictation when required by the assigned judge.
Organize and maintain files, locate information, track official documents, and, when applicable, purge files or prepare information for long-term storage.
Prepare and coordinate protective orders, including verifying information and preparing orders and affidavits for the judge.
Enter and retrieve data and prepare reports using computer systems; may operate and maintain databases or other automated files and systems.
Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
Potentially perform courtroom clerk duties, including testing recording equipment, ensuring proceeding recordings reflect closing arguments and orders, and maintaining transcripts and proceeding recordings.

Benefits

79% employer-paid health and prescription insurance
Dental and vision insurance plans available to purchase
Short-term and long-term disability coverage available to purchase
Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account
State-matched retirement contributions: 156% match on the first 4.8% contribution
Free $20,000 life insurance policy
Optional life insurance and AD&D available to purchase
13 paid holidays annually
Paid vacation and sick leave accruing immediately
Military leave
Funeral/bereavement leave
Paid training
Free continuing education credits to maintain professional certifications
Access to specialized courses through Judicial Branch Education
Opportunity for bilingual pay
Potential 2.5% pay increase after successful completion of probation for those starting at the hiring rate
Potential annual cost-of-living adjustments, subject to State Legislature approval