Special Counsel Legal Assistant

Agency

Indigent Defense Services

Division

Special Counsel

Job Classification Title

Special Counsel Legal Assistant (S)

Position Number

60002239

Grade

30013148

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $39,731.00 - $65,273.00

The Office of Indigent Defense Services seeks a legal assistant to provide clerical and secretarial support to the Office of Special Counsel in Raleigh, North Carolina. The successful candidate will join an office with four attorneys and three additional support staff.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Primary duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• E-filing through the eCourts system.

• Setting up- and maintaining records for court dispositions.

• Managing court documents.

• Retrieving IVC papers from email through the e-file system.

• Setting up and maintaining client files, and administrative records.

• Filing, copying, and retrieving materials and ordering office supplies.

• Answering office telephone calls and documenting messages to speak to Special Counsel.

• Entering client data into a Microsoft Access database of client records and preparing statistical reports required by the Office of Special Counsel and by Indigent Defense Services.

• Communicating with staff in the office of the Clerk of Superior Court, the Attorney General's Office, and facility personnel including private counsel for four Wake County inpatient psychiatric facilities.

This position is located in an office that provides legal representation to individuals subject to civil commitment proceedings in Wake County, North Carolina.  The office is located on the former Dorothea Dix Hospital campus.  Work hours are 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:

Knowledge of:  general office practices and procedures; NCGS Chapter 122C admissions requirements for involuntary and voluntary patients; rules pertaining to the confidentiality of client information; general knowledge of the role and mission of Special Counsel's Office and its relationship to the treatment facilities, to the Attorney General's Office, and to the Clerk of Superior Court's office.

Skills in:  operating computers, printers, copiers, telephones, fax machines and other office equipment; Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access; and effectively communicating both orally and in writing.

Ability to:  learn specific rules and State Regulations relating to verifying, processing, and maintaining office records and documents; communicate effectively with the Clerk of Superior Court's office, the Attorney General's office, and staff at the four facilities, to ensure accuracy of the court calendar; communicate effectively with clients who call the office; learn legal terminology, formats for orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents; and provide basic information and instructions regarding programs or office procedures to clients, attorneys and other court officials.  Also, the ability to learn new software systems including databases.

Supplemental and Contact Information: