Law Library Assistant

Josephine County•Grants Pass, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Operates the County Law Library; performs all library functions, including collection development. This position also performs secretarial duties requiring knowledge of legal terminology and procedures. An employee in this classification is distinguished from the department secretary in that in addition to general secretarial duties, incumbents routinely perform tasks requiring knowledge of legal terminology and judicial processes and work with highly sensitive and confidential information. Receives direction and training from assigned supervisory staff. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of positions in this classification. The incumbent may be required to train others to perform basic legal reference functions in the law library.

Requirements

Familiarity with all of the print resources available to law libraries, and with those resources maintained by Josephine County's Law Library.
Knowledge of the content, purpose, and coverage of each treatise, reporter, series, and text maintained by the law library.
Knowledge of electronic databases available for legal and non-legal research.
Knowledge of court procedures, in both trial and appellate courts at both state and federal levels.
Knowledge of process for locating court documents in federal district and circuit courts and state trial and appellate courts.
Familiarity with sources of non-legal research information for businesses, individuals and government entities.
Considerable knowledge of legal office and judicial procedures and terminology.
Considerable knowledge of legal forms and documents.
Considerable knowledge of English usage and grammar.
Considerable knowledge of general office methods and procedures.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, elected officials and administrative directors, attorneys and the public.
Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to organize files and retrieve materials and documents.
Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the public.
Ability to work accurately under pressure and deadlines.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to read and interpret legal information.
High school graduation or equivalency.
Two years secretarial experience preferably in a legal or judicial environment.
Any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to perform the above-described duties.

Nice To Haves

Legal studies and law library experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Staffs the County Law Library, assisting patrons with basic legal research.
Maintains current knowledge of print and electronic resources.
Performs basic legal reference service for attorneys, judges, and lay persons.
Tracks library usage for planning and budgetary purposes.
Maintains the Law Library’s print collection.
Maintains manuals and updates resource materials as needed.
Maintains professional relationships with information service vendors and other library professionals.
Answers phones, routes calls, takes messages and makes appointments.
Provides information following standard office procedures and policies.
Maintains calendars and assists with scheduling.
Coordinates activities with other county departments, public and outside agencies.
Receives, sorts, reads, and distributes mail.
Drafts a variety of letters and memos from verbal and written instructions.
Independently composes correspondence and memoranda related to responsibilities assigned, including basic legal documents.
Assists with maintaining computerized file tracking system.
Initiates, maintains and reviews legal files for accuracy to ensure files are complete and that case information is properly documented.
Performs related duties as assigned.