LEGAL ASSISTANT - 04162024- 56820

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, ADMINISTRATION DIVISION, ANDERSON COUNTY

Qualifications

Summary

Summary: Under immediate supervision, is responsible for paraprofessional Legal Assistant work of average difficulty; and performs related work as required.

Responsibilities

Getting Information:

1. Researching information using databases, the internet, books and case files in order to prepare files for litigation.
2. Requesting information from internal and external sources in writing or verbally to ensure all relevant information is obtained.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

1. Reading and summarizing in writing relevant laws, court decisions and Attorney General opinions.
2. Preparing recommendations for supervising attorney on the application of law.
3. Reviewing documents to ensure compliance with laws, regulations or standards.
4. Utilizing individual knowledge and judgment to determine if additional action is needed for case or task completion.
5. Utilizing active listening with internal customers to determine appropriate course of action.

Organizing, Planning and Prioritizing Work:

1. Incorporating last minute or unscheduled tasks into current workload to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.
2. Monitoring and observing daily activities of the attorneys to avoid scheduling conflicts to ensure appropriate staff is available and to notify affected parties of scheduled changes.
3. Identifying work priorities to ensure the most important work is completed first based on work experience, supervisor guidance, and departmental, state and federal laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
4. Organizing and prioritizing personal work load using calendars and lists to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.

Processing Information:

1. Compiling all supporting information and documents for trial notebooks.
2. Preparing and submitting invoices and supporting documentation to fiscal for payment.

Performing Administrative Activities:

1. Writing, drafting, and editing legal documents and summaries.
2. Responding to email, phone calls, and other correspondence in a timely manner.
3. Editing written material for typographical errors, grammatical errors, logic and organization.
4. Performing general and clerical administrative duties to ensure smooth operation of the agency.

Interacting with Computers:

1. Using office software including but not limited to email, spreadsheets, databases, word processors, and internet search engines to document, research and enter data.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

1. Summarizing legal additions and changes for clear interpretation.
2. Reading proposed or actual changes to state laws and regulations to identify potential impact on agency operations.
3. Informing staff of changes and additions to relevant legislation.
4. Copying and disseminating pertinent legal changes, additions, and summaries to affected staff.
5. Maintaining annual training as required by policy.

Documenting/Recording Information:

1. Filing orders, petitions, legal publications, supplements, updates, federal registers, court reports, Attorney General opinions and other legal documents according to established system.
2. Establishing a filing system that allows easy utilization of case files, legal reference sources, and other documentation.
3. Organizing and maintaining documentation files and law libraries.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

1. Maintaining professional working relationships with external customers to ensure smooth and effective team operations.
2. Communicating with supervising attorneys, co-workers, and others within the agency to maintain positive working relationships.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

1. Operating a variety of office equipment including but not limited to copiers, scanners, calculators, fax machines, and telephones to complete assigned tasks.

Competencies

Competencies:

1. Written Communication
2. Planning
3. Informing
4. Organizing
5. Customer Focus
6. Integrity and Trust
7. Decision Quality
8. Learning on the Fly
9. Problem Solving
10. Listening

Knowledge:

1. Law and Government
2. Clerical
3. Computers and Electronics
4. Customer and Personal Service

Skills:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Writing
3. Time Management
4. Active Listening
5. Speaking
6. Critical Thinking
7. Judgment and Decision Making
8. Complex Problem Solving
9. Active Learning
10. Coordination

Abilities:

1. Oral Comprehension
2. Oral Expression
3. Written Comprehension
4. Written Expression
5. Problem Sensitivity
6. Speech Clarity
7. Memorization
8. Time Sharing
9. Deductive Reasoning
10. Speed of Closure
11. Speech Recognition

Tools & Equipment

1. Personal Computer
2. Telephone
3. Fax Machine
4. Printer

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.