Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Serves as assistant to the Investigator/Administrator and independently performs essential tasks, such as interviewing clients and preparing files for follow-up by attorneys, usually with minimal involvement by attorneys. Additionally, does administrative work in the nature of clerical processing work prepared and other administrative tasks as appropriate and as directed by director of the Office of the Public Defender.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: Employee must be knowledgeable with legal procedures and the functioning of the criminal justice system. The employee must possess typing and clerical skills, to include all appropriate computer work and the ability to transcribe dictation. Possessing a commission as Notary Public is helpful. This individual must possess the ability to perform legal services, often independently, based upon direction from the attorneys. An essential function of the legal secretary of the Public Defender Office is to maintain client confidentiality because of the sensitive and privileged nature of the information necessary to represent indigent Public Defender clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: An employee in this position is responsible for performing clerical and secretarial work as generated by the employee, himself or herself, and other clerical and administrative responsibilities as necessary. Additionally, this employee is responsible for administration of screening and interviewing of prospective clients who face most of the routine and non-complicated cases and all responsibilities necessary in this regard.

Without limiting the foregoing, the job duties may include the following:

• Answers the telephone when necessary, and schedules appointments
• Handles inquiries as to eligibility for representation and status of cases.
• Handles basic interviewing and file preparation of non-complicated and routine cases; when cases appear to be complicated, the Investigator will perform the interviewing.
• Co-ordinates scheduling of attorneys.
• Assists attorneys to negotiate plea bargain offers when appropriate.
• Assist attorneys in drafting petitions and motions when appropriate.
• May assist attorneys in court presentations when appropriate.
• Provides day-to day supervision and management of other clerical staff, with coordination of Investigator and Director of the Public Defender Office.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL STANDARDS: The work environment and physical demand characteristics are representative of those, which an employee would encounter in a general office situation performing the essential functions listed above.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to sit for extended periods of time, to sit and operate a keyboard and computer, to operate a Xerox machine, to take notes, to write, to talk and to listen. It requires occasional standing and stooping and occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds, being duties required typically in filing and performing clerical duties of the office. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to low.

This job description should not be construed to imply that the above requirements are the exclusive standards for this position. The employee may be expected to do other functions similar to those listed above, and to perform similar related duties, all of which to be at the direction of the Director of the Public Defender Office.

ELIGIBILITY – ALL CANDIDATES MUST

Any combination of education and experience, which provides the required skill and knowledge, is qualifying. Typical qualifications are: being a high school graduate and having appropriate training or a minimum of 2 years experience in a law office or equivalent experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Somerset, PA 15501: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Experience:

• Legal: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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