LEGAL ASSISTANT I

Thurston County•Olympia, WA

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Legal Assistant I in the Criminal Division. In the Criminal Division, this position may serve as a primary point of contact by providing assistance in explaining detailed regulations, procedures, and complex requirements within the legal or judicial system. Research and answer questions or inquiries from the public, law enforcement, or other agencies. Review files, set up files, and input case information into database system. Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Serves as primary point of contact by answering multiline incoming telephone calls. Provides assistance to the public, including attorneys, law enforcement, court and community agencies by answering inquiries and explaining the detailed regulations, procedures and complex requirements of the legal or judicial process. In order to determine the nature and urgency of requests, screens and refers telephone calls and inquires, and reads and routes incoming mail to the appropriate office or person. Responds to questions and provides answers to the public accessing readily available information from office records and in accordance with regulations on public records and confidentiality. Analyzes case specifications and assists in the selection of appropriate mandatory forms required to proceed in court. Receives, monitors and processes case files and legal documents and maintains records. Reviews incoming documents and processes according to procedures. Files and records legal documents, obtains required signatures and authorizations, maintains case files, and records dates on which subsequent actions must occur. Verifies appropriate information is included on paperwork or in file to ensure accurate processing. Verifies the accuracy/completeness of legal documents identifying inconsistency with statutes and provides technical information for compliance. Enter, reviews, and retrieves case information using the appropriate computer-based data system. Sets up and monitors case files to assure timely action or review. Identifies appropriate RCWs, court rules and procedures before entering judgments and filing legal documents. Tracks, updates, logs and monitors activities of cases. Provides and requests information to and from agencies and other jurisdictions. Tracks and monitors files as prescribed and closes, purges and archives files according to policies and procedures. Obtains and prepares case files for court sessions ensuring appropriate documentation is in the files. Maintains frequent contact with clients, witnesses, law enforcement agencies, judges, court personnel, attorneys, and support staff as appropriate. Generates basic legal documents for court proceedings according to established formats, policies and procedures. Transcribes legal correspondence and documents following instructions and within established formats and/or by reference to similar documents. May evaluate customer’s need for domestic violence, harassment and/or restraining orders. May set appointments or court hearing dates. Answers or refers procedural questions of technical nature.

Requirements

Must have a high school diploma or GED.
Associate’s degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program; or, two (2) years of progressively responsible customer service experience in a court or legal office environment; or any combination of education and relevant experience which demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
Must be able to type 55 words per minute.

Nice To Haves

Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, forms, polices and techniques; general office practices and procedures; appropriate business and legal grammar; word processing and database applications; operation of general office equipment such as copiers, faxes, telephones, personal computers.
Ability to generate and proof legal documents with few errors; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and accomplish work within established timeframes.
Ability to adhere to prescribed office routines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials, clients, and the general public; and maintain a neat personal appearance and demeanor toward the public and fellow employees.

Responsibilities

Serves as primary point of contact by answering multiline incoming telephone calls.
Provides assistance to the public, including attorneys, law enforcement, court and community agencies by answering inquiries and explaining the detailed regulations, procedures and complex requirements of the legal or judicial process.
Screens and refers telephone calls and inquires, and reads and routes incoming mail to the appropriate office or person.
Responds to questions and provides answers to the public accessing readily available information from office records and in accordance with regulations on public records and confidentiality.
Analyzes case specifications and assists in the selection of appropriate mandatory forms required to proceed in court.
Receives, monitors and processes case files and legal documents and maintains records.
Reviews incoming documents and processes according to procedures.
Files and records legal documents, obtains required signatures and authorizations, maintains case files, and records dates on which subsequent actions must occur.
Verifies appropriate information is included on paperwork or in file to ensure accurate processing.
Verifies the accuracy/completeness of legal documents identifying inconsistency with statutes and provides technical information for compliance.
Enters, reviews, and retrieves case information using the appropriate computer-based data system.
Sets up and monitors case files to assure timely action or review.
Identifies appropriate RCWs, court rules and procedures before entering judgments and filing legal documents.
Tracks, updates, logs and monitors activities of cases.
Provides and requests information to and from agencies and other jurisdictions.
Tracks and monitors files as prescribed and closes, purges and archives files according to policies and procedures.
Obtains and prepares case files for court sessions ensuring appropriate documentation is in the files.
Maintains frequent contact with clients, witnesses, law enforcement agencies, judges, court personnel, attorneys, and support staff as appropriate.
Generates basic legal documents for court proceedings according to established formats, policies and procedures.
Transcribes legal correspondence and documents following instructions and within established formats and/or by reference to similar documents.
May evaluate customer’s need for domestic violence, harassment and/or restraining orders.
May set appointments or court hearing dates.
Answers or refers procedural questions of technical nature.