Judicial Assistant - District Court

Compensation: $25.11 - $29.89 hourly DOE ($52,228.80 - $62,160.80 annually DOE)

Application Period Ends: Open Until Filled

General Statement of Duties

Performs a variety of highly responsible, confidential, and complex executive level administrative duties required to assist District Court Judges; provides general information to and communicates with counsel, court staff and the public; facilitates office management processes as an intermediary on delegated administrative matters affecting the department and court operations. Duties also include scheduling, calendaring, and preparing legal documents. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon the requirements of the assigned judges.

Classification Summary

This position performs varied, complex legal administrative, secretarial, and clerical duties under the supervision of the Trial Court Administrator or their designee. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.

Examples of Work (Illustrative Only)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (may vary with specific positions):

•Manages administrative and legal operations for the courts and assigned department to include assigned judges;

•Assists in resolving non-judicial administrative questions and problems which do not require the personal attention of the assigned judges or department head;

•Acts as an administrative liaison when conferring with other judicial departments and units;

•Independently composes letters and responds to general correspondence;

•Receives, compiles, organizes and prepares documents and reports as assigned;

•Maintains a detailed calendar for the assigned department and the assigned judges by setting court matters, arranging and scheduling matters to include daily activities, interviews, appointments, meetings, conferences, travel arrangements, and itineraries;

•Ensures critical deadlines are met;

•Develops office procedures and work processes based upon priorities, needs, and established time frames;

•Recommends organizational or procedural changes and improvements in workflow and forms to maximize support of the department and the assigned judges;

•Serves as a primary source of information regarding court policies, procedures, objectives, and operational functions in the assigned department;

•Responds to inquiries in person, via e-mail, or by telephone;

•Communicates accurate information using sound judgment and professional knowledge;

•Manages, monitors and maintains document control and tracking systems on all files and matters in progress and expedites completion;

•Works closely with other court and department personnel such as staff attorneys, court clerks and judicial marshals;

•Works with counsel to set trials, hearings and settlement conferences;

•Completes necessary forms and inputs necessary electronic information;

•Maintains confidentiality when necessary and acts with appropriate discretion;

•Reviews and works with department personnel to facilitate review of files scheduled for hearing, including pleadings and other papers to ensure strict adherence to standards and specifications regarding form and content.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

•Ability to operate virtual meeting platforms, such as Zoom;

•Ability to effectively perform the functions of the assigned position in a remote working environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

•Court terminology, operations, and procedures;

•Applicable federal, state, and local court statutes, codes, and ethical standards;

•Services within the courts and community;

•Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including administrative and department policies and procedures;

•Principles and practices of office management;

•Principles and practices of data collection, record keeping and report preparation;

•Effective time management skills;

•Software programs and applications such as Microsoft Office and Navigator;

•Effective communication skills and techniques used in public relations;

•English grammar, spelling and punctuation;

•Basic mathematical skills.

Ability to:

•Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

•Exercise judgement when acting independently and with limited supervision;

•Handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis;

•Serve the public and others with business before the court in a courteous and professional manner;

•Prioritize task and duties;

•Research, compile, analyze, interpret, and accurately prepare a variety of routine and complex fiscal, statistical, and administrative reports;

•Compile and maintain complex and extensive records and files;

•Independently prepare correspondence and memoranda;

•Type a minimum of 50 wpm with accuracy;

•Operate a multi-line telephone system;

•Handle multiple concurrent projects and manage priorities and tasks under pressure;

•Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs;

•Deal tactfully and courteously with the public and other court employees regarding policies, procedures, and functions;

•Communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally both orally and in writing;

•Maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Acceptable Experience and Training

•Minimum of five (5) years of experience working as a judicial assistant or legal assistant, preference may be given to those with seven (7) or more years of experience;

•Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, and/or paralegal certification preferred;

•Any combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Special Qualifications

•Must successfully complete a background investigation through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC);

•Must adhere to the Idaho Judicial Branch Code of Conduct for Non-Judicial Employees.

Essential Physical Abilities

•Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;

•Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, prepare, and organize documents and files;

•Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a personal computer and standard office equipment;

•Sufficient personal mobility, agility, strength, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to lift up to 25 pounds, sit and work at a keyboard for an extended period of time, and work in an office environment.

EOE Statement

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.