Law Office Assistant 1/2 Flex

What you will be doing:
This position provides clerical support to attorneys and Agency administrators. Law Office Assistants maintain case file information digitally and in physical files, process police reports and evidence, answer phones, file pleadings with the Court and opposing counsel, prepare routine legal documents, and assist clients. Law Office Assistants play a significant role in ensuring that administrative tasks are handled effectively, and the office runs smoothly. This position is one of two Law Office Assistants in the Nome Office of the Public Defender Agency.

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in many types of cases and the Public Defender Agency is appointed by the Court to represent people who are unable to afford counsel on their own. Law Office Assistants are an integral part of providing that representation and protecting our clients' rights. Law Office Assistants work closely with attorneys and other Agency staff to make sure evidence and case materials are processed and distributed quickly. They often serve as important points of contact for the Court system, opposing counsel, and the public.

The benefits of joining our team:
Support staff at the Public Defender Agency have the opportunity to learn about the legal system and hone their administrative and clerical skills to further their career development in the legal field. Most importantly, they get to do this while working as a team to provide meaningful contributions to Alaska, as the work we do impacts people’s lives and protects the constitutional rights of all Alaskans. This important work helps improve case outcomes for individuals charged with crimes, helps re-unify families, and provides the foundation for successful re-entry into communities. Many Law Office Assistants use the skills and experience they gain to promote to paralegal, investigative, and administrative management positions within the Agency, the State of Alaska, or the private sector.

Your first 6 months in the Agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal and on-the-job training with your supervisor and your colleagues.

The working environment you can expect:
The office is located in Bethel. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM with an hour lunch at noon. The position works with Agency attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and other assistants in the Bethel office.

Who we are looking for:
To be successful in the position, the ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities and experience:

• Technological Competency: Competency with standard office equipment is expected and computer literacy and fluency with Microsoft Office is essential to handling the large volume of digital documents and evidence in cases and utilizing the digital case management system.
• Effective Communicator: Clear and professional oral and written communication is essential to anyone working in the legal field.
• Prioritization: The ability to handle shifting priorities in high-pressure situations will enable success in the position.
• Ability to Maintain Confidentiality: Strict confidentiality is required due to the nature of the work performed.
• Independent Worker: Taking initiative, exercising sound judgment, and following directions is critical in our offices.

Special Note:

• Alaska Driver’s License desired.

• The Public Defender Agency`s user authorization with the Department of Public Safety for allowing some employees' access to the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) may require that this position is able to pass a criminal background investigation.

If this sounds like your skill set, or one you would like to develop, please submit an application through Workplace Alaska.

At time of interview, please provide the following:

• A copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are okay; please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcripts) is used to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
• Three (3) professional references, two (2) who have had supervisory experience over you, including current email and/or daytime phone number.

APSIN/ACOMS
In order to be granted access to the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and Alaska Corrections Offender Management System (ACOMS), the individual who is selected for this position is required to pass a background investigation and may be fingerprinted. Full disclosure of ALL past criminal convictions (both misdemeanor and felony) at the time of application is required. Convictions may lead to disqualification due to the requirements necessary to access these systems.

Please read the below information carefully. This applies to your application submission.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. Be specific in your answers and tell us how you acquired the relevant experience. Please use complete sentences and proof-read your submissions when answering the supplemental questions. Your responses will be considered a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process.

EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY
This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements in order to be considered for employment at this time.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Applications will be reviewed to determine if minimum qualifications are met. Therefore, all work experiences the applicant is using to meet minimum qualifications for this position must be documented in the application package. Please include the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether the employment was full or part-time. Applicants who submit packages that do not provide sufficient information to demonstrate minimum qualifications are met may not advance in the selection process.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

NOTICE
If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Eleven paid holidays a year