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Form of workThe first review of applications will be April 15, 2024 Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:
- Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor's name/phone number for each position.
- Cover Letter
- Three Professional References
When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For a complete job description, please email Katie.Erickson@mt.gov
The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.
Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch:
- Work/life balance
- Family friendly policies
- Dedicated and caring colleagues
- Health coverage
- Retirement plans
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
- Opportunities and room for professional growth
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF
This position is in Bozeman, MT. Bozeman exists as a crossroads between past and present, tame and untamed, mountainous wilderness and hometown warmth. A place where you can hike for miles without seeing a soul, stroll through our charming downtown, and enjoy breweries with breathtaking views-all in the same day.
Bozeman is a city in Montana's Yellowstone Country, neighbor to Yellowstone National Park1. It is a college town set in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, with a vibrant community and a booming tourist attraction2345. Bozeman is known for its world-renowned fly fishing, dramatic mountains for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, hunting, and backcountry exploring, Yellowstone National Park, and impressive wildlife4. It is also trending as a tech hotspot12.Learn more by visiting https://www.visitmt.com/
Job Overview:
This is legal and administrative office support and judicial process coordination work for the Honorable Peter B. Ohman, District Court Judge for Gallatin County District Court in Bozeman, Montana.
Work includes providing legal/executive/administrative office support services to one or more judges, generally in a multi-judge district court, or a board of judges. Although the primary purpose of positions in this classification is to provide support services to judges, the employee may be assigned to provide support services to a district court administrator or other court departments. Work is performed in accordance with legal reference manuals and dictionaries, district and Judicial Branch rules and regulations, state statutes, and verbal or written instructions. Work is performed with considerable independence after a brief orientation to the workflow of the office. Work is reviewed for the effective and timely processing of information through the office and for the accuracy, completeness, and adherence to court and legal procedures of documents generated on computers or in writing.
Job Duties: (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)
Formats court orders in word processing software and maintains accurate service lists. Types, edits, and proofreads a variety of legal and court documents for grammar, style, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and format.
Updates electronic docketing system and verifies accuracy of data needed for effective reporting and case management activities.
Reviews water right abstracts and ensures accurate processing of abstracts.
Detailed review of orders and comparison of abstract to orders.
Assists Water Judge or Water Master with the consolidation of cases. Assists with running reports and organizing data on water rights to identify related claims efficiently and accurately.
Reviews incoming pleadings, motions, correspondence, and telephone messages for proper action or proposed response from the court; communicates with counsel, parties involved, DNRC, and other agencies as authorized.
Arranges for meetings and conferences by notifying participants, preparing, and distributing agendas and accompanying materials, and assists with follow-up of decision items; makes and coordinates travel arrangements.
Organizes and coordinates incoming paperwork to keep appropriate individuals informed and to ensure timely and accurate processing of information.
Maintains hard copy and/or computerized calendars of case status, conferences, and other events or activities; schedules cases for the judge; reminds judge and others of dates and events; pulls files and obtains other information required for court, conferences, and meetings; maintains filing systems; maintains the exhibit library.
Receives, screens, and routes incoming telephone calls and callers and provides information as authorized; screens mail; schedules matters for hearing, and maintains judge's personal calendar.
Answers telephone in a professional, confidential, and courteous manner; screens calls, takes messages, and provides information as authorized.
May arrange for, attend, and electronically record evidentiary hearings.
Coordinates and compiles tabulations for enforcement projects. Provides district court judges and water commissioners with distribution information in a timely and professional manner.
Makes corrections to abstracts in DNRC database.
Enter operating authority date from orders in DNRC database.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):
Thorough knowledge of legal terminology and format.
Thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, and punctuation.
Thorough knowledge of legal office practices, procedures, equipment, and standard secretarial techniques.
Thorough knowledge of court procedures.
Ability to understand and carry out complex verbal and written instructions.
Ability to recognize and maintain the need for confidentiality in work assignments.
Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines.
Ability to operate a personal computer with word processing software.
Ability to communicate effectively and accurately, both verbally and in writing with a diverse group of people.
Ability to accurately maintain extensive file systems.
Ability to work well in cooperation with others, execute tasks promptly as assigned, be self-directed and well-organized and work well under pressure.
Ability to deal with irate or upset people in a calm manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys and their staff, other judges and water masters, DNRC employees, and the public.
Skill in the operation of office equipment.
Skill in transcribing from machine dictation.
Working Conditions:
Position requires activities such as sitting for long periods, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, lifting, moving, and carrying light to medium objects, and operating office equipment.
Physical Demands:
The work is performed primarily in an office environment and involves exposure to normal, everyday risks which require normal safety precautions typical of offices.
Licensure and Certification Requirements:
Possession of a valid Montana driver's license may be required for some positions; proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle on State business.
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
The position requires an associate degree in business or clerical studies or a similar field and at least two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience, which demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position. Experience in a legal setting is required and can substitute for the associate degree. Experience as a high-level Assistant Is preferred.
