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Legal Assistant III- Criminal

Salary

$56,305.60 - $67,537.60 Annually

Location

Iowa City, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

00840

Department

County Attorney

Opening Date

04/03/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

+ Description

+ Benefits

Definition & Duties

Under general supervision, researches and prepares various litigation-related documents for the County Attorney’s Criminal Division. Performs litigation support services for the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys. Prepares schedules for performance of department business by others, responds to inquiries for information from the public requiring thorough knowledge of departmental policies, and coordinates inter-departmental communications.

Knowledge of & Ability to

+ Basic criminal law

+ Iowa Civil and/or Criminal court procedures

+ Current office practices and procedures, including legal terminology

+ English language to include grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and vocabulary skills

Ability to:

+ Learn, apply, and articulate departmental policies and procedures

+ Represent Johnson County and perform duties in a professional, responsible and trustworthy manner

+ Perform clerical tasks with a high degree of speed and accuracy

+ Maintain confidentiality and security of information as appropriate

+ Make decisions requiring interpretation and judgment

+ Follow verbal and written instructions

+ Collect data, keep accurate records, and prepare specialized reports

+ Be detail-oriented when working with documents and information

+ Operate common office equipment such as photocopiers, including scanner and fax functions, calculators, postage machines, and multi-line telephones

+ Type a minimum of 55 wpm

+ Organize and present facts, ideas, and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing

+ Provide customer service that is courteous and responsive

+ Establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, public officials, law enforcement personnel, victims of crimes, witnesses, other departments, agencies, and members of the public

+ Interact effectively with persons representing widely divergent backgrounds, interest, and points of view

+ Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias

+ Organize and prioritize multiple time-sensitive responsibilities

+ Handle moderate levels of stress, meet deadlines and solve problems appropriate to the position

+ Stand, sit, squat, kneel, bend, twist, reach, and use a step stool as needed

+ Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds as needed

+ Have clarity of speech and hearing which permits effective communication

+ Have sufficient vision which permits moderate to heavy production and review of a wide variety of materials in both electronic and hardcopy forms

+ Have sufficient manual dexterity to make handwritten notations and which permits moderate to heavy use of keyboards and mouse

+ Sufficient personal mobility to complete field work at various facilities

+ Read and understand pleadings, including dispositional orders, complaints, charging documents, probation and contempt documents and other litigation documents

+ Draft documents for filing in court and related to litigation

+ Become certified to access criminal histories

+ Maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials, law enforcement personnel, victims of crimes, witnesses, other departments, agencies, and members of the public

+ Use a computer for the purposes of word processing, research, data entry, spreadsheets, and creating presentations

+ Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology

+ Create filing systems; maintain files and important documents in accordance with departmental guides and practices

+ Work occasional overtime as needed

Minimum Education, Training & Experience & Special Requirements

Associate’s degree in paralegal studies, legal assistant program or related field AND at least three (3) years of experience with the court system in a criminal law office or litigation support OR any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special requirements: Valid driver’s license and insurable under county liability coverage.

Obtain and maintain Notary Public certification within 1-year of hire.

Specific Duties

To be performed satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation.

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

+ Provides litigation assistance to attorneys, including reviewing charges for accuracy, and docketing court deadlines.

+ Provides legal support services for the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys by preparing pleadings in routine cases.

+ Manages initiation of all new criminal cases in a timely manner and reviews criminal complaints to provide accurate information and deadline compliance in each case.

+ Reviews and interprets all initial appearance orders, including waivers and appearances.

+ Process intake documents, warrants, and reports for new and existing cases.

+ Profiles court documents, reports, and warrants.

+ Maintains demographic information.

+ Reviews and interprets all routine and substantive orders, including but not limited to; sentencings, restitution orders, search warrant application, and no contact orders

+ Reviews and interprets all search warrant applications.

+ Responsible for entry of case outcomes and charge statistics.

+ Maintains and manages court docket for criminal attorneys to ensure adequate coverage.

+ Composes and sends correspondence for attorneys.

+ Performs general clerical duties such as photocopying, e-filing, filing, faxing, typing, sorting and distributing of mail, and making deliveries.

+ Assists with telephone answering; responds to questions from callers and walk-ins seeking assistance or information.

+ Attends court hearings and work-related meetings; participates in committees, conferences, and seminars as requested.

+ Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.

+ Attends work at the designated place and time.

Resume and cover letter must be attached to online application.

For questions regarding this position please contact Ines Beltre at [email protected] or 319-688-8076

Employee Benefits

The following is a summary of benefits for full-time, non-bargaining County employees. Benefits, privileges and duties for employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement may vary depending on specific contract provisions.

Compensation

Employees serve a six-month probationary period and are eligible for meritorious performance compensation increases based upon performance evaluations. Across the board compensation increases are considered by the Board of Supervisors, and are made effective July 1 annually.

Vacation

+ During 1st through 4th years: 3 working weeks

+ During 4th through 9th years: 4 working weeks

+ During 9th through 19th years: 5 working weeks

+ During 19th or later years: 6 working weeks

Holidays

12 paid holidays per year plus 2 personal holidays:

+ New Year's Day

+ Martin Luther King's Birthday

+ President's Day

+ Memorial Day

+ Independence Day

+ Juneteenth

+ Labor Day

+ Veteran's Day

+ Thanksgiving Day and day after

+ Christmas

+ Floating Christmas holiday

Sick Leave

Accrues at the rate of 18 days per year on a per-pay period basis to a maximum accrual of 120 days. After accumulation of 90 sick days, employees may convert sick leave to vacation on a 4:1 basis.

Parental Leave

A paid two-week (80 hour) paid parental leave is provided to full-time benefit eligible parents to allow for child bonding time. This includes child's birth, adoption, placement in the home or court appointed guardianship.

Wellness Program

Voluntary wellness activities, screenings, educational opportunities and incentives are offered throughout the year for employees and their families.

Employee Assistance Program

Employees and their families may contact Synchrony for free EAP counseling and referral services.

Health Care Coverage

Eligible employees may elect health care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment.

+ Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa is the third party administrator for this self-funded plan

+ PPO with 90/10 in-network and 80/20 out-of-network co-insurance; $275 deductible single or $550 deductible family; $1000 out-of-pocket maximum single or $2000 out -of-pocket maximum family

+ Single coverage is $32/month for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is $112.00/month.

Dental Care Coverage

Eligible employees may elect dental care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment. Single coverage is paid by the County for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is a cost between the County and employee.

Vision Care Coverage

Eligible employees may elect vision care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment. Single coverage is paid by the County for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is a cost between the County and employee.

Flexible Spending

Eligible employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket health, dental and vision expenses that are not reimbursable through another source. Employees may also set aside pre-tax dollars for dependent care expenses.

Life Insurance

Eligible full-time employees are covered after 60 days of employment. Coverage is 1 times annualized compensation rounded up to the nearest thousand in group term life insurance and AD&D. Max covered salary $100,000.

*Supplemental Life Insurance

The County offers to all benefit-eligible employees additional life insurance coverage that may be purchased for employees, spouses and children at guarantee basis.

Long-Term Disability

Eligible full-time employees are covered after 60 days of employment. County provides up to 2 years of long term disability coverage at 66 2/3% of the employees wages as a result of injury, sickness or pregnancy; employees may opt to purchase additional coverage.

IPERS

Iowa Public Employee Retirement System is a mandatory defined benefit retirement plan designed to supplement both Social Security and private savings. Non law-enforcement employees contribute 6.29% and the County contributes 9.44%.

Deferred Compensation (457)

A deferred compensation plan is offered that provides tax advantages and an additional means in which to save for retirement with an easy payroll deduction. Employees may select from several companies offering deferred compensation. The County will match up to $40/biweekly, and employees are vested on day 1.

Discounted Bus Pass

Full-time and part-time employees are eligible to purchase discounted bus passes for Iowa City Transit and Coralville Transit for commuting to/from their jobs as Johnson County employees. Bus pass availability is subject to available funds and continuation of the program.

Johnson County is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.

Women, minorities and elderly are encouraged to apply.

Employer

Johnson County

Address

913 S Dubuque St Suite 103 Iowa City, Iowa, 52240

Phone

319-356-6003

Website

https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/

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