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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegal TechnicianJob Title: Department: Reports To: FLSA Exempt (Y/N): Union: BBP: Salary Level: Location: Approved By: Approved Date: 1.0 SUMMARY JEFFERSON COUNTY Job Description Legal Technician Prosecuting Attorney Prosecuting Attorney NO UFCW NO Grade 22 Courthouse Human Resources .Manager ��- January 2022 This position is the initial public contact with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and is responsible for providing direction and information in a thorough and efficient manner. Direction for this position is guided by statute. The duties of this position involve heavy telephone communication with the public and virtually all law enforcement and County agencies. Performs advanced technical clerical work to provide administrative and legal technical support in the Prosecuting Attorney's Office by performing the following duties. 2.0 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. The following duties may occur on a daily basis with little supervision or upon request from an attorney or other member of the prosecution team. Serves as receptionist, answering phones and if unable to answer question(s), directs to appropriate Person, voice mail, or email; greets people at the reception counter, ascertains their business or request need and either assists them or refers them to the appropriate person or department. Receives and logs all law enforcement reports; delivers them to appropriate Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Legal Assistant or Lead Legal Assistant for review and decision. Mail duties. Outgoing Mail — on a daily basis, collect mail from Prosecutor's staff, complete certificate of mailing; applies proper postage; delivers to courthouse mailbox or post office as required. Incoming Mail — collect mail from courthouse mail center; open mail and screen for urgency and proper destination; scan mail and place in file when appropriate; deliver mail to appropriate party in office. Accesses law enforcement databases to ensure all discovery has been provided and provides on demand updated criminal history background information. Enters data on all cases filed and closed into computerized system for statistical purposes; tracks bench warrants, probation violations, deferred prosecutions. Assists in preparing annual report that goes to the Governor's Office. Obtains driving and criminal records via various State databases. Provides discovery to defense counsel; provides copies of domestic violence cases to the Victim/Witness Advocate; obtains restitution information from victims on cases charged regarding the losses suffered as a Jefferson County Job Description: Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Legal Technician Page 2 result of the crime, prepares and files restitution documentation prior to sentencing and/or restitution hearing. Creates initial electronic files, and transfers them to the appropriate department. Prepares letters, reports and memoranda for attorney staff as requested. Files or places in the appropriate binders and legal texts, all new legal materials. Coordinates the pre -file diversion program; prepares forms for mailing to defendant's; monitors license status of defendant's in the program; notifies Deputy Prosecutor when defendants fail to comply with the pre -file program. Coordinates office recycling and shredding programs. Complies with confidentiality requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), including RPC 1_6, RPC 3_6, and RPC 3_8. RPC 1.6 prohibits disclosure to any person outside of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) of information obtained from clients, except under limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. For purposes of this job description, "clients" are the County and its employees, and the Port Townsend Police Department and its employees. RPC 3.6 prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO about the investigation or communication of a matter being handled by the PAO, except in limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. RPC 3.8 discusses the special responsibility of prosecutors in the justice system and prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO that could have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused in a criminal case. Performs other duties as assigned or required. 3.0 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities. 4.0 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 4.1 Education and/or Experience High School Diploma or general education degree (GED) supplemented by course work in general office practice, and bookkeeping; and one (1) year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Legal experience preferred. 4.2 Language Skills Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Jefferson County Job Description: Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Legal Technician Page 3 4.3 Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. 4.4 Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. 5.0 CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Washington State Driver's License at time of hire and throughout employment. 6.0 OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to plan and organize work and determine operational needs in advance. Ability to work independently. Ability to use tact and judgement in responding to the public, law enforcement, defendants and officials from other agencies. Knowledge of standard office equipment including a multiline phone system, fax machine, postage meter and copier. Ability to use a personal computer and software programs. Knowledge of Knowledge of MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to remain calm and productive in a busy office under stressful conditions with high volume, multiple interruptions, and numerous deadlines. Ability to maintain, produce and analyze a wide variety of statistical data. Ability to secure and impart information accurately. 7.0 PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 8.0 WORK ENVIRONMENT Jefferson County Job Description: Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Legal Technician Page 4 The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work level varies from fast -paced and high -intensity requiring creative problem solving on short notice, to moderate pace carrying out routine daily duties. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud. 9.0 CAREER LADDER POSITION This position is the entry level position in a career ladder for legal support staff. The next position in the career ladder is a Legal Assistant. Advancement from Legal Technician to Legal Assistant within the career ladder requires completion of the requirements for a Legal Assistant and a positive recommendation from the Prosecuting Attorney. 10.0 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Jefferson County is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. The Prosecutor's Office makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.