Senior Self-Help Center Specialist - Tenth Judicial District

Salary: $72,390.96 - $112,104.72 Annually
Location : Ramsey, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: FY24033
Department:Tenth Judicial District
Opening Date: 11/17/2023
Closing Date: 12/3/2023 11:59 PM Central
Description
The Minnesota Judicial Branch (MJB) is committed to providing fair and equal access to justice. If you share this same commitment, desire a meaningful career serving the public, and want the opportunity to make a difference for your community, consider a career with us.
The Tenth Judicial District, which includes eight counties in the Northern Suburbs of the Twin Cities Metro Area, is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Senior Self-Help Center Specialist to join the Litigant Services team. The team staffs the Tenth District's Self-Help Center (SHC), provides services to the Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) program, performs legal research for court administration and provides case type overview training to court administration staff. This position meets with various self-represented litigants (SRLs) district wide in person, by telephone, Zoom, email or mail to provide assistance with individual court actions and legal issues that can be addressed in District Court, pursuant to Minn. Gen. R. Prac., Rule 110 and without providing legal advice. The Litigant Services team also is responsible for maintenance of forms specific to the Tenth Judicial District.
This is a hybrid position. Work is conducted at courthouses in the Tenth District with some work from home. Position will office within one of the Tenth District Courthouses, but services will be provided to all eight Tenth District counties, including Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright. Primary location will be determined by district needs and county of residence. Travel is required in this position.
This position is classified as a Senior Self-Help Center Specialist. Core business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Initial days off: Saturday, Sunday, and Court Designated Holidays.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes benefits, ten paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, professional development opportunities, and tuition reimbursement. The employee-paid premium for a full-time employee with single coverage is only $39.66/month for the and $13.48/month for the Dental Plan. To learn more about the benefits we offer, go and click on the Employee Benefits tab.
Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB. To learn more about working for the Minnesota Judicial Branch, watch this video.
Example of Duties
Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.

• Meet with and assist SRLs in person, by telephone, mail, or electronically by gathering information, determining issues(s), providing forms where available, providing information on how to complete forms, reviewing forms for completeness, accuracy, adequacy and compliance, providing information on legal concepts and procedures, providing SRLs with information on legal aid organizations and/or how to search for private practice attorneys.
• Read, understand and regularly review and research applicable statutes, court procedures, court rules, appellate level cases and other resources to provide a solid foundation of knowledge in order to provide the most effective assistance possible.
• Perform legal research analysis, and writing duties on assignments that involve procedural and substantive matters, issues, or research and analysis. After complete and thorough research, written memorandums are prepared outlining issues, research and analysis, and suggesting an appropriate course of action.
• Gather SHC and ENE statistics to update reports to be used for the District Litigant Services Committee.
• Explore and present SHC outreach opportunities to District Administrator, staff and Litigant Services Committees. Work collaboratively with 10th District court administrators and staff, external justice partners such as low income legal service providers, law libraries, bar associations, as well as community and government organizations to educate them on SHC services.
• Provide staff services to judicial committees as assigned. This may include preparing and distributing notices and agendas, conducting research and analyzing documents, preparing meeting summaries, following up on issues and decisions of committees, and providing updates to District Bench.
• Develop and implement training and advanced ENE training sessions or opportunities if recommended by the Litigant Services Committee for judges and District ENE providers.
• Provide legal knowledge and review for specific District websites, forms, and outreach/educational materials. This may include the development of new forms.
• Serve as point person for troubleshooting, handling complaints and conflicts, and problem solving with ENE providers and other district justice partners.

Typical Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in social services, law, criminal justice, court administration, or a related field.

Licensing:

• Valid driver's license.

Experience:

• Two to three years of experience in a court or legal setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of substantive and procedural law.
• Knowledge of state statutes, rules of court, related case law and opinions, state policies and procedures, and alternative dispute resolution methods as well as sources of legal reference.
• Experience drafting and reviewing legal documents.
• Ability to analyze, appraise, organize, and present facts, law, and precedents as needed to prepare clear and concise memorandums, documents, or reports; and to present material clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to apply legal guidelines and specialized knowledge to individual cases and issues.
• Ability to research legal issues using printed and computerized sources and to operate competently and navigate a computer using Minnesota Case Information System (MNCIS), Microsoft products, Adobe, fillable forms, web based searches and legal search software.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters and records appropriately and in compliance with all applicable court rules, policies and statutes.
• Knowledge of local legal and community resources.
• Ability to deal sensitively with people in crisis and work with people from diverse backgrounds, personality types, and educational levels.
• Ability to work in a large Judicial District encompassing both urban and rural counties with varying levels of existing resources and support.

Preferred Qualifications:
Education:

• Juris Doctorate.

Licensing:

• Current Minnesota Attorney License.

Experience:

• Extensive experience working in a Self-Help Center or directly with self-represented litigants.
• Experience working directly with ENE litigants, providers and/or programs.
• Experience creating forms, instructions, and educational materials on legal topics for non-lawyers.
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.

Working Conditions
Work is provided remotely and in an office setting or at a public counter. Work involves contact with persons who may be confused, irritable, and anxious.
Physical Demands
Maintain a stationary position for extended periods of time with occasional moving to various locations, transporting items up to 25 pounds, such as papers and court files.
Travel is required to all Tenth Judicial District Counties. Additional travel may be required for meetings, trainings, and appointments at the Tenth Judicial District offices in Ramsey, Minnesota or throughout the state. A successful candidate must have access to a vehicle and possess a valid driver's license.
Supplemental Information
Instructions to Apply:
Please apply for this position online by clicking the Apply link near the top of this page. (For instructions on creating and submitting your online application, click on the How to Apply link in the left-hand menu at the top of this page).
All employment offers may be rescinded if the required criminal background check identifies job related convictions.
Contact Information:
Please contact the Tenth District Human Resources Department with questions regarding this posting via email at 10thDistrictHumanResources@courts.state.mn.us.
It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting Human Resources at 10thDistrictHumanResources@courts.state.mn.us.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employee. It is the policy of the Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee. Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family's wellbeing. We also offer many opportunities for your continued career growth through development opportunities, supporting your long-term success at the branch.
We are proud to offer these benefits to compensate our employees for the excellent work they do for the cause of justice in Minnesota.
Our wide-ranging benefits package includes the following components:
Health & Wellness
Medical Insurance

• The employee-paid premium for the is only $38.50/month for a full-time employee with single coverage, or $262.66 for family coverage
• Employees can choose from three different carriers: Blue Cross/Blue Shield Minnesota, Health Partners, or Preferred One
• The and the for the Advantage Health Plan are on the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) site
• helps employees manage weight loss and reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and , a benefit that reduces out-of-pocket costs for diabetes-related medical treatment
• Employees may also choose a
• Pharmacy benefits provided by CVS Caremark

Dental Insurance

• The employee-paid premium for this plan is only $13.50/month for a full-time employee with single coverage, or $55.40 for family coverage
• Employees can choose from two carriers: or the
• The and the are on the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) site

Vision Insurance

• The employee-paid premium for this plan is only $5.76/month for a full-time employee with single coverage, or $16.54 for family coverag
• Additional information on can be found on the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) site

Pre-Tax Spending Accounts

• Contributions to pre-tax accounts are taken from your paycheck before taxes are deducted, and since you pay less in taxes, your net income may be increased.
• Use to pay eligible medical and dental expenses, eligible dependent day care expenses, and transit expenses including parking and bus passes. Other benefits may vary by location.

Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance

• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability

Paid Sick Leave

• Eligible full-time employees accrue sick leave at four hours per two-week pay period
• Sick leave may be used for purposes such as medical and dental appointments, maternity leave, illness or injury for certain family members

Retirement Benefits
Pension

• In addition to your contribution, the Minnesota Judicial Branch contributes 6.25% of your annual salary to your pension, administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS). Employees are fully vested in their pension after three years of employment at MJB.

Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan

• Retirement saving plan in addition to your pension plan

Health Care Saving Plan

• Post-employment health care saving plan that can be used to pay for medical expenses

Work & Life Balance
Paid holidays

• 11 paid holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
• Additional floating holidays may also be offered

Paid vacation leave

• In addition to paid sick leave, employees accrue generous paid time off that increases with years of service.

Paid Parental Leave

• Eligible employees may receive up to six weeks of paid time off following the birth or placement of a child.

Employee Assistance Program

• Our no-cost provides health coaching, worksite wellness initiatives, financial planning assistance, and several free counseling sessions for personal or professional use for employees and their families.

Additional Benefits