Legal Processing Support - Public Defense Services

Legal Processing Support

This recruitment is to establish a register for current and future legal processing support vacancies which serve all levels/assignments of processing clerk in the offices of the Pima County Public Defense Services Department (Legal Advocate; Legal Defender; Mental Health Defender; Office of Children's Counsel; Public Defender).

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5912 - Legal Processing Support

Salary Grade: 4

Pay Range: $19.74 - $26.64 Per Hour

The legal processing support classification processes legal documents of a specialized nature with some instruction with respect to details of the assignment. Some positions involve the review and redaction of body-worn camera footage. The mission of Pima County Public Defense Services (PDS) is to deliver excellent value of court-authorized legal services and ensure fair treatment for all those in need. The legal processing support position may work in the following PDS offices: Legal Advocate, Legal Defender, Mental Health Defender, Office of Children's Counsel, and/or Public Defender. The legal processing support position is an integral part of the PDS department as this position helps to keep an office running smoothly. This position is often the first person with whom clients and visitors interact and presents an important image of the office. Duties of this position may include managing the front desk, handling incoming and outgoing calls from/to clients, as well as other involved parties, scheduling appointments for attorneys, completing court runs, processing case minute entries and disclosure, and maintaining calendars for attorneys. Excellent communication skills, organization, attention to detail, and ability to change tasks quickly and handle interruptions are desired abilities in a candidate.

Essential functions:

• Answers procedural questions from the public and staff regarding specialized documents, policies, and services, and researches relevant information;
• Compiles confidential information and prepares legal documents;
• Maintains and updates records, file folders, logs, and status records, ensuring processes are accurately reflected and purged as necessary;
• Indexes, classifies, codes, and files records, reports, and documents;
• Conducts computer searches to obtain or verify information such as criminal histories, asset information, and employment details using restricted access resources;
• Interviews clients to obtain or verify general information for case records;
• Retrieves and provides case disposition information to concerned parties, determining further action as needed;
• Creates and maintains new records and client files, managing data input and retrieval using computer systems;
• Develops and manages spreadsheets and databases using software or computer programs;
• Schedules and arranges meetings, conferences, interviews, appointments, and travel;
• Gathers information and prepares routine legal documents such as complaints, warrants, and depositions, as well as handling routine correspondence;
• Reviews case files to ensure completeness and contacts relevant parties to obtain missing documents;
• Assembles daily court calendars, prioritizes trials or hearings, and relays information to judges and concerned parties;
• Receives payments, issues receipts, and verifies daily cash intake against receipts;
• Coordinates processing actions with other units, departments, or outside agencies, and assists clients or applicants in completing the service process.

Minimum qualifications:

Six months of legal clerical experience.

OR:

One year general clerical experience.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Selection procedure: Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised preferred qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental information:

Licenses and certificates: Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special notice items: Some positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical/sensory requirements: Frequently must lift, push, pull, and carry items up to 20 pounds. Occasionally lifts, pushes, pulls and carries items up to 50 pounds. Speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies, in-person and/or on the phone. Other physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position.

Working conditions: Continuously works in a professional office setting. Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Frequently remains in a stationary position. Frequently moves about inside an office. Other working conditions will be determined by position.

EEO information: Pima County Government is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.