Legal Assistant (Pt)

Salary: $23.07 Hourly
Location : Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 03042
Department: Commonwealth's Attorney
Opening Date: 11/22/2023
Closing Date: 12/6/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Under limited supervision, provides accurate and reliable support to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney. Provides advanced legal support to the Operation Ceasefire Prosecutor, including but not limited to, preparation of Response to Discovery, subpoenas, case files, correspondence, orders, briefs, Department of Motor Vehicles and criminal hearings research, and other legal documents. Requests and researches various data, information files, etc. from local state and federal agencies, including Department of Motor Vehicles, National Crime Information Center, Virginia Criminal Information Network, state police, etc. May maintain and prepare Circuit Court misdemeanor appeals and revocations. Reports to the Legal Services Coordinator. *This is a grant funded position not to exceed 20 hours per week.*
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Essential Job Functions

• Assists the Operation Ceasefire Attorney in all facets of their duties, as requested.
• Composes, drafts, types, prepares, or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, legal documents, orders, briefs, answers to discovery, jury instructions, indictments, and other documents. Compiles information for reports, documents and correspondence and coordinates copy preparation.
• Responsible for maintenance of litigation files, including preparing and setting up files; sorting and organizing documents to be filed; filing documents in designated order. Copies documents, records, pleadings, etc. with regard to litigation matters. Maintains all litigation files.
• Schedules court appearances including hearings, motions, trials; maintaining the calendar of assigned Attorney responsible for litigation.
• Files legal documents including, Notices, Motions, Memorandum of Law, Petitions, etc. with various Court Clerk's Offices. Responsible for delivery of correspondence to various City Departments; responsible for delivery of legal documents and correspondence to opposing attorneys involved in litigation with the City.
• Controls, manages and prepares various court dockets for the Commonwealth's Attorney's office; receives dockets and enters data into computer system database; reviews dockets for accuracy and completeness; distributes dockets; makes recommendations to the Operation Ceasefire Attorney regarding status of dockets.
• Maintains and prepares a variety of files for the attorney; receives case reports and retrieves and reviews case files to assist attorney in cases; receives and manages various records; routes files to appropriate personnel as required; prepares case files and misdemeanor appeal files.
• Enters a variety of data into computer databases and spreadsheets; creates, modifies, and archives database files.
• Assists in legal secretarial work including preparing and typing material from typed or handwritten copy or machine dictation, which requires use of a variety of complicated formats for preparing correspondence, lists, briefs, notices, memos, pleadings, orders, petitions, jury instructions, and other legal documents or routine documents, reports, files, and manuscripts; assumes responsibility for correctness of spelling, punctuation, format, and grammar; makes copies of all documents as required.
• Requests and researches various data, information, files, etc. from local, state and federal agencies including DMV, National Crime Information Center, Virginia Criminal Information Network, state police, etc.; records findings in approved log book; receives case reports from the Police Department.
• Maintains calendar and coordinates meetings and appointments for the attorney; files petitions and sets up interviews for; schedules court dates and hearings; updates information of same, anticipating and adapting to changes in the status of cases; reports problems requiring changes in dates.
• Coordinates and schedules medical/psychological interviews; prepares interview reports and submits to attending physician.
• Prepares, distributes, and records subpoenas for witnesses and files documents.
• Manages information regarding extradition matters; obtains necessary documentation in order to secure detainer; secures out-of-state transportation and requests travel orders, prepares forms, obtains Governor's warrants, and contacts other jurisdictions to ensure proper documentation of release or pick-up of prisoner.
• Coordinates transportation of prisoners to and from court; prepares and distributes prisoner list; coordinates special instructions for prisoners considered a high security risk.
• Designs forms to expedite routine office tasks.
• Assists other departmental personnel as necessary.
• Answers telephone calls and provides information to the public as appropriate.
• Attends staff meetings.
• Assists in troubleshooting computer problems in the office; performs routine maintenance on computer systems including changing printer cartridges, installing software, etc.
• Schedule and attend meetings and coordinate events with community partners
• Create and maintain spreadsheets of community contacts and statistical data
• Assist in execution of directed media campaign to promote the Operation Ceasefire grant program
• Discretion is essential.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Qualifications
Graduation from two-year college or vocational/technical school with major course work in secretarial science, and 1 to 2 years' experience in an administrative position in a law office, preferably in a local government; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Requires State certification through the Department of Virginia State Police for operation of the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) terminal and may require Notary Public designation.
Supplemental Information
***Please attach a letter of interest, resume (including references and/or letters of recommendation).***
Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;
Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.
Paid Time Off (PTO)Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.
Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.
Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.
Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.
Alternative Work ScheduleFor some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01
Which of the following reflects your highest level of education?

• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• No Degree

02
Did you graduate from a 2 year college or vocational school?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you certified through the Department of Virginia State Police for operation of the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) terminal?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have any experience working for a local government or municipality?

• Yes
• No

05
Are you currently a Notary Public certified through the Commonwealth of Virginia?

• Yes
• No

06
Which of the following best describes your experience working in a legal office?

• 0 to less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2 - 3 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 4 - 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• more than 6 years

07
Do you currently have an active Paralegal certificate or degree?

• Yes
• No

08
Please indicate your years of experience in an administrative position in a law office?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 years
• 3-4 years
• 5-7 years
• Greater than 7 years

09
Do you have any foreign language skills?

• Yes
• No

10
In reference to the previous question, what language(s) ? If none, please enter N/A.
11
What is your written proficiency level?

• N/A
• Basic
• Intermediate
• Fluent

12
What is your verbal proficiency level?

• N/A
• Basic
• Intermediate
• Fluent

Required Question