Legal Assistant I

POSITION SUMMARY The Legal Assistant I provides administrative, clerical, and case-support services to the City Prosecutor's Office. This is an entry-level legal support position responsible for assisting prosecutors, paralegals, and other staff with the day-to-day operation of a busy municipal prosecution office. The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, detail-oriented, comfortable working with computers, and able to communicate professionally with members of the public, law enforcement personnel, court staff, attorneys, victims, witnesses, and other City employees. Prior legal experience is not required. RECRUITMENT SUMMARY No legal experience? That's okay. The Bullhead City Prosecutor's Office is seeking an organized, dependable, and detail-oriented individual to join its team as a Legal Assistant I. This position provides administrative and case support to prosecutors and paralegals handling misdemeanor and municipal-code cases. Duties include maintaining case files, entering and updating information, preparing and processing documents, assisting with court-related materials, communicating with law enforcement, court personnel, attorneys, and members of the public, and providing general office support. Previous legal experience is welcome but not required. If you have solid administrative or office skills, are comfortable using computers, pay close attention to detail, communicate professionally, and are interested in learning about the legal system. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Provides general administrative and clerical support to prosecutors, paralegals, and other Prosecutor's Office staff. Receives, reviews, organizes, scans, files, and maintains police reports, citations, court documents, correspondence, photographs, electronic records, and other case-related materials. Enters and updates case information in computerized case-management systems, databases, spreadsheets, and other City applications. Assists with opening, maintaining, tracking, and closing prosecution case files in accordance with established office procedures. Assists in preparing routine correspondence, notices, forms, discovery materials, subpoenas, court filings, and other documents under the direction of prosecutors, paralegals, or supervisory staff. Processes incoming and outgoing mail, electronic correspondence, records, reports, and other documents. Assists with the preparation and organization of files and materials for court hearings, trials, pretrial conferences, and other proceedings. Tracks court dates, deadlines, case status, document requests, and other time-sensitive information. Provides appropriate information and assistance to members of the public, law enforcement agencies, court personnel, attorneys, victims, witnesses, defendants, and other governmental agencies while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality. Answers and routes telephone calls, responds to routine inquiries, takes accurate messages, and directs individuals to the appropriate staff member or agency. Assists with requests for reports, discovery, case documents, and other materials in accordance with applicable law, City policies, and office procedures. Coordinates and exchanges information with the Bullhead City Municipal Court, Bullhead City Police Department, defense attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and other criminal justice partners as directed. Maintains electronic and physical filing systems and ensures records are accurate, complete, organized, and readily accessible to authorized personnel. Performs data entry and assists with preparation of reports, spreadsheets, statistical information, correspondence, and other office documents. Uses Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Acrobat, case-management software, email, electronic filing systems, and other computer applications required to perform assigned duties. Operates standard office equipment, including computers, scanners, copiers, telephones, and multifunction devices. Handles sensitive, confidential, and criminal justice information in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures. Provides professional and courteous customer service to internal and external customers. Assists other members of the Prosecutor's Office as workload and operational needs require. Participates in training and cross-training to develop knowledge of prosecution procedures, legal terminology, court processes, and office operations. Performs other related duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE OF Entry-level knowledge of, or the ability to quickly learn Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment. Business English, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and professional correspondence. Recordkeeping, document management, and filing procedures. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and similar office software. General data-entry and database practices. Principles of professional customer service. Confidentiality and appropriate handling of sensitive information. Basic legal terminology, criminal justice processes, prosecution procedures, and court operations. City policies and Prosecutor's Office procedures applicable to assigned duties. SKILLS AND ABILITIES The successful candidate must have the ability to Maintain a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Learn legal terminology, court procedures, prosecution processes, and criminal justice information systems. Organize and prioritize multiple assignments while meeting deadlines. Work effectively in a fast-paced environment where priorities may change throughout the day. Enter, retrieve, review, and maintain information accurately using computers and electronic record systems. Read and understand routine reports, correspondence, forms, policies, and procedural documents. Prepare clear and professional written correspondence using proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Communicate professionally and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Follow written and verbal instructions and established procedures. Exercise good judgment and recognize when a matter should be referred to a prosecutor, paralegal, supervisor, court, law enforcement agency, or other appropriate party. Maintain confidentiality regarding criminal cases, victims, witnesses, law enforcement information, personnel matters, and other sensitive information. Remain professional and courteous when interacting with individuals who may be upset, frustrated, emotional, or involved in stressful circumstances. Establish and maintain productive working relationships with prosecutors, paralegals, City employees, court personnel, law enforcement officers, attorneys, victims, witnesses, members of the public, and representatives of other agencies. Work independently on routine assignments while functioning effectively as part of a team. Accept instruction, feedback, and training and demonstrate a willingness to learn new responsibilities. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE High School Diploma or GED and one (1) year of experience performing administrative, clerical, customer service, records management, data entry, or general office duties; OR any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Previous legal experience is not required. Experience working in a legal office, court, law enforcement agency, government office, or other professional office environment is desirable but not required. Ability to type approximately 50 words per minute is preferred. LICENSING AND TRAINING Valid State Driver's License, if required by the City for this classification. National Incident Management System (NIMS) training as required based on assignment. Must successfully complete any required City, criminal justice information, confidentiality, records management, or job-specific training following appointment. *Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certifications being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES The City Prosecutor's Office is particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate: Dependability and a strong work ethic. Excellent organizational skills. Attention to detail. Professionalism and discretion. Strong computer and keyboarding skills. Good written and verbal communication skills. A positive and cooperative attitude. Strong customer service skills. The ability to remain calm and professional under pressure. Initiative and willingness to learn. The ability to handle confidential information responsibly. An interest in public service and working as part of a criminal justice team. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment. The position involves frequent use of computers and other office equipment and regular interaction with City employees, court personnel, law enforcement officers, attorneys, victims, witnesses, defendants, and members of the public. Due to the nature of the Prosecutor's Office, the employee may occasionally encounter information, photographs, reports, recordings, or other materials relating to criminal offenses that may be sensitive or disturbing. The employee must be able to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate discretion when handling such material. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical demands described are representative of those generally required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities. Duties generally require prolonged periods of sitting and computer use; frequent speaking, hearing, typing, and use of hands; occasional walking, standing, reaching, bending, and lifting or moving office files, supplies, or equipment. IMPORTANT POSITION EXPECTATIONS Employees of the City Prosecutor's Office have access to sensitive and confidential information and are expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and accuracy. The Legal Assistant I does not provide legal advice and must refer requests for legal opinions or advice to appropriate legal staff. The duties listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of every responsibility, duty, or skill required. Duties and responsibilities may be modified as operational needs change.--- #J-18808-Ljbffr