Legal Specialist - Office Of Public Defense

This position provides various and diverse secretarial and support work requiring independent judgment. Performs a variety of clerical duties including preparing correspondence, records and files management, customer service functions in person and over the phone, in order to maintain the department's efficiency and service expectations.

This position requires applicants to pass the NCRC Work Keys - no later than 05/03/2024.

• Clerical Exam:

Applicant must pass Level 4 (Silver Level) or higher of each of the three (3) ACT/Work Keys

• National Career Readiness Test (NCRC) or current employees of Cowlitz County must have passed the Cowlitz County Clerical Exam.

Cowlitz County has partnered with Lower Columbia College (LCC) in Longview, WA, to facilitate the testing process.   Test scores are good for 5 years.

Test Cost is $90.00

LCC Testing is available 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday and closed on LCC observed holidays.

Testing is available by appointment only.

Applicants must take the NCRC tests no later than 3 business days after the job announcement closes.

To schedule testing, individuals can register at :  www.registerblast.com/lowercolumbia     or call the Testing Center directly at 360-442-2353

Benefits Information:

Cowlitz County offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• Medical/Dental/Vision  (includes dependent coverage)

• VEBA/Health Retirement Account for those who qualify

• Retirement through Washington State Public Employees Retirement System

• Life Insurance

• Deferred Compensation plans available (457b)

• Vacation, Bonus and Leave Days Paid

• 11 Paid Holidays

• Reasonable work hours

The County

Cowlitz County is a great place to live and work.  Located along the Columbia River less than an hour from the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cowlitz County provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and easy access to the Arts.  The I-5 corridor runs right through Cowlitz County providing quick access to the Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas.

• Prepare daily dockets and collaboration with the District Court Office. Prepare daily dockets and weekly trial calendars.

• Develop office routines, procedures and systems as necessary.

• Compose letters, responses, reports, memoranda and other official documents from dictation, verbal instructions, notes or on own initiative.

• Schedule appointments, special hearings, court appearances, interviews and meetings by notifying participants and preparing the necessary paperwork and/or files.

• Maintain timely and accurate files and records. Maintain yearly record statistics on all attorneys' trials and their specifics and their individual caseload.

• Perform extensive and regular data entry for all felony cases including trail settings, hearings, reviews and notes.

• Receive and process all incoming mail and prepare appropriate responses.

• Maintain adequate inventories of information, reference and resource materials.

• Perform a wide range of other clerical duties to support the operations and administration of criminal cases and department's functions including copying, faxing, assisting in preparing reports or special projects, setting up appointments or maintaining schedules for the staff. Extensive customer service activities related to cases and the office.

• Attend and participate in staff meetings. Contribute ideas to enhance/improve the department and secretarial activities.

• Attend and participate in employer sponsored training and seminars. Ongoing pursuit to upgrade skills and stay up-to-date with applicable legal changes. Share/communicate information/knowledge that will benefit the department.

• Ensure that databases and resource materials stay current in all matters of law, procedural requirements, documents and forms.

• Act as a confidential secretary, performing advance secretarial duties.

• Maintain communication with the department, keeping them appraised of all developments relating to matters of concern.

• Coordinate the paper flow process with the courts and other criminal justice departments or agencies for assigned cases.

• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

• Associate degree in legal secretary or related field and one (1) year experience as a legal secretary or closely related field.  Or, high school diploma with some legal field education and three (3) years experience as a legal secretary or related field.

• Experience in legal research, protocols and court rules.  Understand and utilize the law and standard legal terminology.

• Must pass Level 4 (Silver Level) of each of the 3 ACT/Work Keys

• National Career Readiness Tests (NCRC) through Lower Columbia College (LCC) or provide a passing NCRC Certificate or current employees of Cowlitz County must have passed the Cowlitz County Clerical Exam.

• Experience with personal computer applications including word processing, database and spreadsheets.

• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

• Interpersonal and customer service skills to attend and deal courteously with the public, county employees and agencies requiring services. Develop and maintain good working relationships with staff, other county employees, local/regional/state agencies, court staff, defense attorneys and their staff.

• Effectively work in a cooperative and multi-task work environment; work under date and time line requirements.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing in a professional business-like level. Maintain a professional appearance.

• Exercise loyalty to the department, discretion over sensitive or confidential issues related to cases and department's business.

• Effectively handle the exposure to difficult and unpleasant matters when dealing with cases and evidence.

• Work well in a collaborative, as well as individual, work environment. Foresee needs and be pro-active in addressing them.

• Skilled in time and task management in order to multi-task and work with frequent interruptions and while meeting date and timelines.