Legal Secretary jobs in Altoona, PA

Objective:

To assist the department with the secretarial/paralegal needs, including specialized litigation, legal motions and appeal matters, and legal processes, and to assist the district attorneys in court with procedures and related legal secretarial/paralegal duties.

Qualifications:

A. Education/Training:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent required, plus some secretarial, legal and/or paralegal, and computer training.

2. Valid driver’s license preferred.

B. Work Experience:

1. 6-12 months working experience in legal or District Attorney’s office.

Background Clearance:

Valid Pennsylvania State Police and/or FBI clearance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language as well as follow oral and written instruction.

2. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.

3. Must possess the flexibility to function both independently and efficiently with general public, government officials, staff, and others.

4. Must maintain personal integrity.

5. Must possess the ability to multi-task while meeting deadlines.

6. Must maintain confidentiality in regards to county information and records.

7. Must possess the technical knowledge of operating personal computers and other office equipment as necessary with accuracy and reasonable speed.

8. Must possess the knowledge of legal terminology.

9. Must possess the ability to take and transcribe legal dictation and type from drafts clearly and accurately with reasonable speed.

10. Must possess the ability to prepare and maintain files and reports.

11. Must possess the ability to compare replies to routine correspondence.

12. Must possess the knowledge and ability to assist in the preparation and assembly of legal documents.

13. Must possess some knowledge of the operation and procedures of civil and criminal court systems.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

1. Must be able to sit, stand, and walk intermittently throughout the workday with frequent twisting, stooping, bending, reaching, grasping, and lifting/carrying objects weighing a maximum of 30 pounds necessary to carry out essential job duties.

2. Dexterity requirements range from coordinated movements of fingers/hands to simple movements of feet/legs/torso as necessary to carry out essential job duties.

3. Must demonstrate emotional stability and the ability to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.

4. Must be attentive to detail.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Answers telephone and takes messages/transfers calls to the appropriate individuals.

2. Maintains and updates files of all paperwork within the department.

3. Dictates important letters, motions, and Commonwealth briefs.

4. Maintains and updates the District Attorney’s appointments utilizing Google calendar.

5. Assists the DA at the Judge’s pre-trial conferences once a month, maintaining the notes in the files, Prosecutorial Management System, and Google calendar.

6. Schedules the cases for their next term of court process.

7. Prepares the scheduling of the trials, Omnibus hearings, BW hearings, Extradition matters related to outstanding BWs, ICC hearings, and other pre-trial court related motions and petitions through the Court Administrator in regard to dates and times with defense attorneys and police officers.

8. Prepares and distributes the plea/sentence/ARD-DUI lists, criminal conference list, and any necessary paperwork for the court.

9. Processes criminal notices, such as notification to attorneys and defendants of plea, sentence, ARD matters, and criminal conferences.

10. Maintains the flow of criminal cases through court process, including ARD cases.

11. Handles Extradition matters, including preparation of Governor Warrants.

12. Confirms bench warrants.

13. JNET – CLEAN certified for the DA office, running RAPs and MVRs and any plate registration required to be run for the County Detective.

14. Creates Sentencing Guideline Sheets through the SGS Portal.

15. Submits mileage and seminar enrollment paperwork to the Finance Department for the DA.

16. Performs duties of other support staff in their absence.

17. Operates computers and other office equipment as needed.

18. Attends meetings and trainings as required to maintain competency.

19. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

1. Works indoors in a congested work space but with adequate lighting, temperatures, and ventilation.

2. Frequent indoor and outdoor exposure to noise, stress, and disruptions.

3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.

4. Travels rarely.

5. Works on-call one week every two week pay period.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $15.25 per hour

Benefits:

• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person