Legal Processing Assistant I (Flex) Joshua Tree

Essential Functions: Receives, sorts and processes legal documents and mail; receives, verifies and accounts for checks, money orders, credit and cash payments made in person or by mail; reviews documents for sufficiency of information, conformity, jurisdiction, completeness, timeliness, and all required supporting documents in accordance with prescribed filing requirements; returns unacceptable documents noting discrepancies and reasons for return. Creates case files; enters into and retrieves data from the automated case management system; assign and enter applicable statistical codes; files, scans and retrieves legal documents and related case materials; makes and certifies copies; maintains the order of documents in court files, register of actions, paper and electronic file; purges documents in accordance with pre-determined criteria; assembles documents, identifies and organizes documents for transfer to the archives; retrieves records from archives, if necessary. Enters case information on dockets; assists with preparation of court calendars; coordinates the flow of documents necessary for court hearings/calendars; prepares minute orders; enters actions from minute orders into appropriate records. Performs telephone and public counter duties; answers routine questions from the public and refers customers to appropriate court staff; responds to questions regarding court procedures and rules and explains legal filing procedures, calendaring procedures, fees, fines and other processes and requirements; receives and file-stamps documents; accepts filings; may schedule appointments and meetings and make meeting arrangements; assists law enforcement agencies or agents, attorneys and their staff, and other court employees with locating information, documents and other court-related materials. Processes payment transactions and accepts payment for a variety of items, including but not limited to copies, forms, fees, fines, court costs, and citations; prepares and issues receipts; posts payments in the case management system; reconciles and balances monies received against transaction totals. Prepares a variety of case type specific documents such as abstracts, judgments, clerk's transcripts, declarations, notices, letters and other legal documents into finished form; composes letters in response to requests for general information; prepares bench warrants, commitments and releases; issues subpoenas, prepares and certifies copies; checks for completeness prior to sending case file into the courtroom. Check in and process prospective jurors; distributes juror questionnaires; responds to questions concerning jury duty responsibilities, clarifying requirements and explaining the selection process; coordinates activities of the jurors in the jury assembly room; coordinates trial court needs, call in jury panels and prepare daily status calendar; and ensures the needs of prospective jurors are met and may process payments for sworn trial jurors. Performs other duties as assigned. At the Legal Processing Assistant II level: May act as a trainer or assist supervisor in familiarizing new and transferred court employees with assigned duties, processes, procedures and forms; provides technical assistance and guidance in more complex and non-routine activities.

Minimum Qualifications: Legal Processing Assistant I – Graduation from high school or GED equivalent, and at least six (6) months- of clerical support experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. One (1) year of coursework twenty-four (24) semester or thirty-six (36) quarter units) from an accredited college may substitute for a maximum of six (6) months of experience. Completion of college-level course work is highly desirable. Legal Processing Assistant I (LPA I): The probationary period for an LPA I is twelve (12) months (2,080 paid hours). To promote to Legal Processing Assistant II (LPA II): Incumbents must complete twelve (12) months (2,080 paid hours) in the classification of Legal Processing Assistant I; and Demonstrate competency in the required activities as noted in the Monthly Probation Progress Report; and At a minimum, receive a "Meet Standards" rating on incumbent’s Work Performance Evaluation in all rating categories of the performance appraisal; and Pass the required CORE and case-specific assessment testing. Incumbents must pass probation and be capable of meeting the proficiency criteria to promote to the Legal Processing Assistant II within twelve (12) months. Legal Processing Assistant II (LPA II) - Journey Level Incumbents are fully skilled workers capable of performing the full range of document processing activities. They are competent to work in the full range of performance areas. LPA II's provide technical assistance in more complex and less routine assignments, conduct technical review or work, and assist the supervisor in planning and implementing work procedures, staff training and similar tasks. There is no probationary period for employees promoting to LPA II from the LPA I level. Knowledge of: Standard office practices and procedures, including record keeping and filing; Customer service practices and telephone etiquette; Court ordinances, codes, procedures and practices regarding computer hardware, software and data security; Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation; Court and/or departmental business processes common for multiple case types; Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work. Ability to: Understand specialized information, including codes, rules, policies, procedures, forms and legal terms, and apply that knowledge in carrying out job assignments accurately and efficiently; Read, understand and explain legal documents and verify their completeness and accuracy in accordance with applicable procedures; Review, codify and index a high volume of official documents quickly and accurately; Verify authenticity of signatures; Perform cashiering duties, such as counting money, making change and reconciling daily receipts; Operate a computer and use standard business and complex operations support software with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency; Maintain confidentiality of court documents and records; Set priorities and exercise independent judgment within areas of responsibility; Understand, interpret, explain and apply rules, regulations, statutes, and procedures; Represent the court effectively in dealings with the public; Use tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive, complex and/or confidential issues and situations; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work. Physical Characteristics The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; and stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl. The employee is frequently required to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds unaided. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, use of eyes and the ability to adjust focus. Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; observes and interprets people and situations; learns and applies new information and skills; performs highly detailed work; deals with changing deadlines, constant interruptions and multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with the public.

Work Environment: The employee works in a court office environment or public counter where the noise level is usually moderate.