Court Assistance Officer

at Bannock County in Pocatello, Idaho, United States

Job Description

Position summary:

The Court Assistance Officer provides paralegal services by answering general questions and assists with self-represented family law and civil case litigants regarding court processes, legal forms, and the legal system. This position also coordinates with Family Court Services for enhanced services and/or self-represented litigant guidance proceeding through to trial. The Court Assistance Officer does not offer legal advice or represent litigants in court and first attempts to refer self-represented litigants to available legal services. The Court Assistance Officer is also a liaison responsible for providing policy and procedure communication, training, coordination, and oversight of the Court Assistance efforts throughout the Sixth Judicial District. The Court Assistance Officer manages online resources that assist with family law filings and coordinates pro bono attorney workshop services. The principal duties are performed in an office environment in Bannock County working collaboratively with all Family Court Services employees, with occasional travel to other Sixth District counties as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (may vary by assignment)

The position assumes responsibility and performs tasks in the following areas:

1. Develops, maintains, and implements the district-wide court assistance office policy, procedures, and day day-to-day department operations and functions,
2. Assists the public with general questions concerning court-related and legal procedures, processes, resources and other relevant information by phone, mail, e-mail, or in person,
3. Provides inquirers with a selection of Idaho Supreme Court and other approved legal forms,
4. Analyzes specific situations to provide effective and appropriate paralegal services, or make appropriate referrals to legal assistance or legal services,
5. Provides and refers court patrons to educational material such as videos, brochures, forms, or computer programs designed to assist and educate self-represented litigants in court process,
6. Checks information provided on forms for completeness,
7. Regularly consults with Sixth District court assistance offices to provide support and to ensure compliance with established state and local policy,
8. Assists with training and mentoring of new and existing Court Assistance Officers,
9. Assesses operational needs and submits budget requests for district-wide court assistance projects and operational expenses,
10. Provides reports and updates to the Family Court Services Manager, Court Supervisor, and Trial Court Administrator regarding the status of district-wide efforts, ensuring effective communication, coordination, and implementation of court assistance services,
11. Creates and maintains statistical data and reports of all patrons served and services provided,
12. Provides correspondence to prisoners when they send mail to the court system, consulting with judges when necessary,
13. Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices and guidelines provided by Bannock County, the Sixth Judicial District, and the Administrative Office of the Courts, and
14. Other duties or responsibilities as assigned or necessary.

Competency Requirements:

This position obtains, possesses, and deploys the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively perform their responsibilities:

Knowledge Of:

1. Federal, State, and local court statues, codes, policies, procedures, rules, guidelines, processes, systems, and legal forms related to civil proceedings,
2. Principles and practices of court and legal services systems, legal assistance services, and resources available, and legal research practices and resources, and
3. Proficient verbal communication in English and the grammar, spelling, punctuation, composition necessary to draft clear written communication to patrons and/or service providers regarding legal pleadings and/or services as directed by court personnel.

Skills To:

1. Communicate effectively and professionally, verbally or in writing, while providing exceptional customer service to residents, court personnel, other agencies, and all others who visit, call, or write to the department,
2. Perform multiple tasks and responsibilities, including handling interruptions, with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines,
3. Operate standard office equipment including copier/scanner/fax machine, general computer applications used by the department, and software and technology to support in-person and remote customer service, to create workshops, education, provide and track statistical information, create forms, pamphlets, etc., and
4. Compute basic mathematical computations and budget department expenses.

Ability To:

1. Read, research, and interpret laws, regulations, rules, guidelines, procedures, processes, and terminology related to general court practices,
2. Diffuse difficult interpersonal situations and calmly deescalate and resolve the concerns of customers and others who may not initially understand court cases or standard legal processes,
3. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, patrons, customers, legal professionals, supervisory personnel, court personnel, state and local elected and appointed officials, and other County employees under occasionally stressful conditions, and
4. Work independently, as part of a group or team, or under supervision to implement general or specific oral or written directions, or needs of the department.

• A current Idaho driver's license,
• High school graduate or GED equivalent, and
• Four (4) years' experience in the legal environment of family or civil law or related, OR
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

• A Notary Public certification is preferred,
• An associate's degree in paralegal studies is preferred, and
• A Paralegal certification is preferred.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, use a telephone, and effectively communicate with others,
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, evaluate, and prepare and review a variety of written documents, legal forms, and other materials,
• Sufficient manual dexterity, flexibility mobility, and agility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate office equipment, computer systems, work in an office environment, and
• Sufficient ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to occasionally travel to outlying locations, training events, and other needed travel.

Bannock County is an equal opportunity employer.

Veteran's Preference eligible position pursuant to Idaho Code.