Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

COUNTY OF STEUBEN, INDIANA

  POSITION: Paralegal

DEPARTMENT: Public Defender

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY: COMOT (Computer, Office Machine Operation, Technician)

STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Steuben County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Paralegal for the Steuben County Public Defender’s Office, responsible for

providing legal research, litigation support services, and other duties in preparation for court

proceedings.

DUTIES :

Prepares drafts of various documents, including pleadings, responses, motions, legal memorandums, briefs, agreements, exhibit and witness lists, subpoenas, and discovery requests.

Supervises assigned staff, including providing orientation and training, making

work assignments, reviewing completed work for accuracy, evaluating performance and

providing correction instruction as needed.

Interviews clients and obtains background and case specific information, including preparing and providing client correspondence as requested and responding in writing to clients’ legal questions and concerns.

Maintains assigned caseload and assists attorneys representing persons in appointed cases, including but not limited to criminal, juvenile Department of Child Services, mental health, and delinquent child support cases.

Assists attorneys in preparation for court hearings, including but not limited to bond hearings, pretrial conferences, jury trials, sentencing, CHINS fact-finding hearings and termination of parental rights hearings. Assists attorneys with coordination for problem-solving courts.

Assists attorneys in preparation of case related tasks, including but not limited to client meetings, depositions, and reviewing previous pleadings and discovery.

Performs factual and legal research, utilizing computer and library resources as assigned. Coordinates with investigators on analysis of evidence.

Compiles and shares case load data with Public Defender Board Administrative Assistant, to be included with the Quarterly Reimbursement Request.

Prepares and files cases for appeal, including drafting of briefs, preparing appendix for appeal, monitoring and ensuring deadlines, and responding as needed. Works with trial court and Clerk’s Office regarding requirements to ensure that delays are minimal.

Assists clients with applying and entering into substance abuse and mental health treatment, including providing clients with information and applications for various options, assisting in completing applications, processing applications, and following up with providers regarding acceptance and bed availability. Files appropriate documentation with and/or providing testimony to Courts to facilitate client release to treatment facility.

Communicates with attorneys, courts, probation and community corrections and other counties regarding release options, including work release and home detention options for clients.

Assists attorneys with communication with in-custody clients utilizing video computer equipment, and communicates with client’s family, service providers, and other relevant parties as requested or needed.

Locates, contacts, and communicates with witnesses, and law enforcement personnel. Obtains and compiles records, including but not limited to court, medical, psychiatric, school, employment, military, and prison records. Evaluates and provides written summaries of records and prepares subpoenas for records as needed.

Reviews court hearing recordings and prepares summaries and/or written transcripts as requested.

Performs various administrative support duties, including maintaining files, preparing and typing correspondence, delivering documents to courts and other departments, collecting, sorting, and distributing mail, and notarizing documents.

Attends conferences, seminars, workshops and related professional education and development programs as required.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK :

Associate Degree in related field. Baccalaureate Degree, in field of criminal justice, social, or behavioral sciences, or related field preferred.

Possession of or ability to obtain Paralegal certification.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances to a wide variety of individual situations and circumstances for the preparation of cases and defense of clients before the court.

Thorough knowledge of standard legal procedures and practices of Steuben County Court with ability to effectively assist individual attorneys in the preparation of cases before the court.

Working knowledge of standard office policies and procedures with computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, email, internet, and Department-specific software systems, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare documents, and reports, and conduct research as assigned.

Ability to supervise assigned staff, including providing orientation and training, making work assignments, reviewing completed work for accuracy, evaluating performance and providing correction instruction as needed.

 Ability to type with speed and accuracy, and properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, printer, scanner, recording device, transcriber/Dictaphone, and telephone.

 Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time and work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure. 

 Shall comply with all employer and Department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, and personal conduct.

 Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, department information and records according to State requirements.

 Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

 Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, law enforcement, clients, court personnel, other Federal, State and local government agencies, Prosecutor’s Office, Office of Family and Children, CASA, deposition providers, attorneys, defendants, witnesses, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

 Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations, plan/layout assigned work projects,

 Ability to compute and perform arithmetic calculations.

 Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to occasionally work extended, evening, and/or weekend hours and travel out of town for conferences and seminars, but not overnight.

  II. RESPONSIBILITY :

Incumbent receives indirect supervision with assignments guided by definite objectives using a variety of methods and procedures. Occasionally, decisions are made in the absence of specific policies and procedures, and/or guidance from supervisor. Errors are primarily detected or prevented through legally defined procedures and notification from other departments, agencies, or the public. Work errors could result in loss of time to correct error, work delays in other departments, and/or inconvenience to other agencies.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS :

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, law enforcement, clients, court personnel, other Federal, State and local government agencies, Prosecutor’s Office, Office of Family and Children, CASA, deposition providers, attorneys, defendants, witnesses, and the public for the purpose of exchanging information, conducting legal research, and rendering service.

 Incumbent reports directly to Chief Public Defender.

IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment, involving sitting/standing/walking at will, sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing under 25 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, crouching/kneeling, reaching, keyboarding, close/far vision, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communications.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended, evening, and/or weekend hours and travel out of town for conferences and seminars, but not overnight.

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