Legal Services Assistant - Commonwealth's Att

Job Description:

Legal Services Assistant - Commonwealth's Att

Description

Legal Services Assistant - Commonwealth's Attorney
Commonwealth's Attorney Office
Full Time, 12 Months
Non-Exempt, Pay Grade 31
Benefits Eligible, VRS Eligible

Job Summary/ Objective:

Performs difficult and specialized legal secretarial and administrative tasks for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Deputy and Assistants. Work requires a broad knowledge of criminal laws and procedures of Virginia, preparation of legal documents, organization of evidence, and occasional paralegal tasks. Will have frequent contacts with state officials in numerous departments, including local law enforcement and attorneys, as well as with the general public. Will also handle a great variety of matters with a view towards conserving the time of the Commonwealth’s attorney, Deputy and Assistants. Work is performed under general supervision but requires a strong inclination for working with thoroughness.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Essential Functions:

• Extensive criminal case preparation: subpoenas, prior convictions, extensive research and reading of reports and files, collect discovery information from various sources in a timely manner;
• Prepares General District Court felony docket on a weekly basis, checking subpoenas, certificates of analysis and prior convictions;
• Appears in General District Court for weekly preliminary hearing dockets to assist attorneys;
• Assists in a variety of projects for the Commonwealth's Attorney, her Deputy, Assistants, and the Office Administrator;
• Demonstrates exceptional level of competence in typing and computer skills with "standard" office software packages;
• Updates all Circuit Court files after hearings in the case file management system;
• Obtains prior convictions from local, non-local, and out of state courts for General District Court and Circuit Court;
• Assists in preparation for the Grand Jury process: subpoenas witnesses, prepares indictments, appears in Circuit Court with Commonwealth's Attorney for Grand Jury on a bi-monthly basis, coordinates trial dates between Court and witness avoid dates;
• Prepares Governors Warrants and Interstate Detainers for the extradition of fugitives;
• Coordinates the extradition of fugitives to demanding jurisdictions and states;
• Maintains working knowledge of the rules of the National Association of Extraditions and is able to meet the requirements of asylum states;
• Prepares correspondence for attorneys responding to various concerns as necessary;
• Assists in maintaining in-house Circuit Court calendar;
• Prepares numerous legal documents with minimal or no input from attorneys; Secures reimbursement of expenses for out of state witnesses in Circuit Court;
• Notifies defense attorneys of all prior convictions in the case of jury trials in Circuit Court per the Virginia Code requirements;
• Notifies defense attorneys of certificates of analysis in appropriate cases in Circuit Court per the Virginia Code requirements;
• Provides clerical and secretarial back-up to Paralegal and Office Associate, including answering the phone and fielding a wide range of questions concerning case statuses, office procedures, and many general process questions;
• Prepares daily bond hearing information for attorneys;
• Coordinates and supervises incoming daily paperwork for new cases;
• Carefully reviews criminal history information, makes independent assessments of cases and determines evidence needed;
• Prepares Federal Prisoner Writs and coordinate Asset Forfeitures;
• Manages Drug Court approvals, entry, terminations and graduations;
• May be required to step in and perform duties of Paralegal;
• Performs related duties, as required.

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of the operations of the judicial system;
• Ability to plan and organize a complicated and diverse workload;
• Ability to follow complex oral and written directions;
• Ability to work under pressure and autonomy.
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and established procedures;
• Extensive knowledge of general office and legal terminology, procedures and equipment;
• Ability to interact with top level officials and others with tact and diplomacy;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court officials, members of the bar, law enforcement, county officials and the public.
• Acute attention to detail and accuracy is vitally important.

Required Education and Experience:

• Combination of education and experience equivalent of a two-year degree in a related field or completion of a paralegal certificate program,
• Four years of experience in an administrative, and/or legal capacity.
• Experience with computer programs and legal office procedures.
• Relevant experience may be substituted for education and relevant education may be substituted for experience.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

• Two years of experience working in a legal office.
• Two years of experience working within the criminal law field.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Work is typically performed in an office or courtroom setting.
• Occasional walking, light lifting of office items up to 30 pounds and other limited physical activities.
• Frequent sustained operation of office equipment is required.
• Occasional secretarial duties, in support of attorneys, beyond normal hours are required.
• Frequent contact is made with judges, clerks, secretaries, law enforcement officers, attorneys, other officials and the general public in person, and on the telephone, or by written communication.
• First-line contact with witnesses and defendants, who on occasion are rude, hostile and angry.
• Occasional exposure to explicit or highly sensitive evidence.
• Considerable skill in confidentiality, tact and diplomacy is necessary.

Remote Work :

This position is not eligible for remote work. All staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Deadline for Applications:

Position open until July 18, 2025.

Please provide both resume and cover letter when submitting the application.

Salary Range:

The hiring range for this position is $30.00 - $33.00 per hour, which is approximately $62,416 - $68,986 per year. Starting offer is based on applicable education beyond minimum requirements and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. This is a full time, FLSA exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

EOE/EEO:

Albemarle County is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any group or individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in regards to any aspect of employment policy and practice: recruitment, testing, selection, assignment, pay, conditions of work, training, leave, overtime, promotion, discipline, demotion, and separation.