Legal Office Associate I - Circuit Court Receptionist

JOB INFORMATION Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; full-benefits This position performs entry-level legal administrative, receptionist, clerical, and customer service duties in support of the Circuit Court Division of the State’s Attorney's Office. The position serves as a primary point of contact for visitors, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, court staff, and the public; receives and routes telephone calls and visitors; processes criminal and traffic case information; prepares documents and materials for court proceedings; manages mail and records; maintains calendars and databases; and provides general administrative support to attorneys and case management staff. Supervision is received from the Chief Legal Office Associate and State’s Attorney. NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate. The State’s Attorney’s Office strives to ensure equal opportunities and access for its workforce, applicants, and community members. Total Compensation Package Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee. 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays) Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan Vesting after 5 years of service Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc. Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year. For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage. Essential Duties And Job Responsibilities Greet visitors, respond to inquiries, and provide customer service to attorneys, law enforcement personnel, court staff, and the public Answer, screen, route, and document incoming telephone calls and messages using a multi-line telephone system Receive, review, process, distribute, and track criminal and traffic charging documents, court records, and related case materials Prepare, organize, and distribute bond hearing materials, court documents, case files, and supporting documentation for attorneys and court proceedings Receive, sort, distribute, scan, file, retrieve, and maintain paper and electronic records, correspondence, mail, and legal documents Maintain calendars, schedules, leave requests, continuances, case tracking systems, spreadsheets, databases, and related administrative records Enter, update, verify, and retrieve information from judicial databases, case management systems, spreadsheets, and other electronic records systems Research case information and determine appropriate routing, filing, distribution, or processing of legal documents and correspondence Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive legal, criminal justice, personnel, and case-related information Assist attorneys, investigators, case managers, and other staff with administrative, clerical, and document management functions Perform other related duties as required To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee’s position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions. Qualifications And Requirements The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. High school graduation or the equivalent Minimum of 1 year of work experience in office administration, customer service, or clerical support Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience is any level college degree could substitute for the required work experience described above or completion of the State Attorney internship program with a High School Diploma could substitute for the required work experience described above. Knowledge, Skills And Abilities A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following: Basic knowledge of office operations, processes, and procedures Basic knowledge of legal terminology and court processes Basic knowledge of State’s attorney staff in order to appropriate direct inquires Knowledge of judicial case management systems and database navigation Knowledge of confidentiality standards applicable to legal, criminal justice, and personnel information Skilled in written and oral communication Skilled in customer service Skilled in standard office software and applications Ability to organize and distribute information in a variety of ways Ability to use office equipment and technology Ability to apply legal terminology and court processes to routing, processing, and preparing case materials Preference May Be Given For A college degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Legal, or a related field Work experience in a law office or legal system environment Work experience in a criminal prosecution or criminal defense environment Physical Demands/Working Conditions While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit, walk and perform repetitive motions; and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors Additional Information / Examination Process Available for varied working hours when needed to accommodate meetings or other commitments KIND OF EXAMINATION (may Include) An evaluation of training and experience Related office skills testing One or more interviews Pre-employment background investigation conducted by the State Attorney's Office Pre-employment drug test to include marijuana Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to View email address on click.appcast.io. Retirement Plan A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability. Health Insurance County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment. Dental Insurance Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee’s completion of 30 days of active employment. NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance. Flexible Spending Accounts The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $3,400 per year for Health Care Spending and $7,500 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors’ services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses. Life Insurance Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Supplemental Life Insurance is also offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, their spouse, and their dependents. Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee’s direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time. Contribution maximums are set each year by the IRS. Educational Reimbursement Program County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may apply for education reimbursement for courses that can improve or develop an employee’s capabilities related to their current job or for a promotional opportunity within Frederick County Government. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If an employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn’t remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG. Employee Assistance Program This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related issue or concern. Leave Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: 0 – 2 years 11 days 2 – 10 years 17 days 10 + years 24 days Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year. Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee’s child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement. NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours. Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, and Military. Holidays The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections. For additional information on Frederick County Government’s benefits package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013. Application Questions 01 I have read and acknowledge the above instructions. 02 Less than high school graduation High school graduation, GED or the equivalent College degree received 03 Yes No 04 Yes No 05 Yes No 06 Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed. NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be considered further. 07 Yes No 08 Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed. NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the preference credit. 09 Yes No 10 Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed. NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the preference credit. Required Question #J-18808-Ljbffr Frederick County Government, Maryland