Legal Assistant - Non Merit

About the role

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Office of Law. Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants. All interested candidates must apply at this time.

Responsibilities

• Produces reports, correspondence, bills, legal opinions, deeds, contracts, affidavits, pleadings, motions, depositions, demurrers, briefs, manuscripts, or other legal documents.
• Prepares, drafts and processes some legal documents, following the cases through court procedures or administrative settlements.
• Checks legal references and proofreads legal documents.
• Welcome guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Produces information by transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, and transmitting text, data, and graphics; coordinating case preparation.
• Maintains attorney calendar by planning and scheduling conferences, teleconferences, dispositions, and travel; recording and monitoring court appearance dates, pleadings, and filing requirements; monitoring evidence-gathering; anticipating changes in litigation or transaction preparation requirements.
• Accurately file documents with the court ahead of deadlines.
• Schedule court depositions, hearings, and other meetings.
• Represent attorney by communicating and obtaining information; following-up on delegated assignments; knowing when to act and when to refer matters to attorney.
• Maintain attorney calendar by planning and scheduling conferences, teleconferences, dispositions, and travel; recording and monitoring court appearance dates, pleadings, and filing requirements; monitoring evidence-gathering; anticipating changes in litigation or transaction preparation requirements.
• Conserves attorneys time by reading, researching, reviewing, verifying, and routing correspondence, reports and legal documents; drafting letters and documents; collecting and analyzing information; initiating telecommunications; organizing client conferences, and attorney meetings; scheduling couriers, court reporters, expert witnesses, and other special functions; coordinating preparation of charts, graphs, and other courtroom visuals; preparing expense reports.
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Process third party and vendor invoices.
• May act as clerk in court.
• May prepare case histories for cases being brought into court.
• May train or coordinate the work of other secretarial or clerical personnel.
• May perform receptionist duties.

Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma or an appropriate equivalent plus Two years' experience in legal secretarial, legal stenographic, or closely related work, or graduation from an accredited college or university with an A.A. degree in legal secretarial training.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (Full Performance): Thorough knowledge of County and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing performance of duties. Skill in using automated office systems. Skill in composing simple letters and memos. Skill in setting up and maintaining filing systems. Skill in taking verbatim notes and in transcribing material from sound recordings. Ability to summarize information. Ability to complete tasks in accordance with established guidelines and deadlines. Ability to work independently. Ability to assign and review the work of others.

Conditions of Employment

• Employment Background Investigation.
• Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Smoke free workplace.
• Drug free workplace.

Salary

Annual Salary review - Step increases may be granted on anniversary date based on satisfactory job performance General Increases - Cost of living increases and adjustments may be granted as legislated. Longevity Increases - In accordance with the specific pay schedule, a full-time merit or classified employee may receive a longevity increase, equivalent to one step, upon completion of a certain number of years of classified service with the County.

Benefits

• General Increases - Cost of living increases and adjustments may be granted as legislated.
• Longevity Increases - In accordance with the specific pay schedule, a full-time merit or classified employee may receive a longevity increase, equivalent to one step, upon completion of a certain number of years of classified service with the County.
• Health Insurance Benefits - Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.
• Life Insurance - Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.
• Retirement - Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System (ERS), with very limited exceptions.
• Paid Leave - Sick Leave, Vacation Leave, Personal Leave, Bereavement Leave, Jury Leave, Military Leave.
• Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union - Offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.
• Direct Deposit - Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.
• Tuition Reimbursement - 70 to 80 percent tuition reimbursement following successful completion of pre-approved courses related to position. Amount of reimbursement and fiscal year dollar limitations vary with bargaining group.
• Deferred Compensation - Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.