Legal Clerk III - SR-14

About the role

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has two immediate vacancies: one permanent full-time position in the West Hawai'i Clerical Unit in Kailua-Kona, and one temporary full-time position not-to-exceed June 30, 2027. Both positions offer a $5,000 recruitment incentive.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and processes standardized legal forms and documents such as subpoenas, motions, petitions, orders, complaints, affidavits, stipulations, and other court documents independently.
• Typing from rough drafts such as letters, memoranda, reports, legal opinions, briefs, proposed legislation, complaints, contracts, and other documents; reviewing for correct form, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Initiates and composes standardized legal forms routinely needed.
• Establishes and maintains case files and records.
• Coordinates schedules with courts; maintains court calendars and reminds attorneys of court appearances and deadlines for submitting various actions or documents.
• Compiles and prepares all relevant materials for use by attorneys in court proceedings.
• Collaborates with court personnel in making corrections to records.
• Researches files and references to obtain information needed by attorneys.
• Responds to inquiries over the phone and/or in person concerning the status of cases or disposition of completed cases.
• Prepares reports of assigned cases and their status.
• Affords assistance in providing training to other employees.
• May take and transcribe dictation.

Qualifications

• A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from high school, and three (3) years of legal clerical work experience involving the preparation, typing, and processing of a variety of legal forms and documents which required substantive knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, practices, forms, and documents.
• Legal Secretary of Paralegal Certificate from an accredited college or university may be substituted for six (6) months of the required legal clerical experience; an Associates degree or higher from an accredited college or university may be substituted for lack of the required legal clerical experience on a year for year basis.

Skills

• Substantive knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, practices, forms, and documents.
• Knowledge of legal processes and procedures.
• Ability to prepare and type or keyboard documents, standard forms needed for specific legal actions, and other materials accurately.
• Ability to locate and abstract data from legal files and records.
• Ability to establish and maintain case files and systems of legal records.
• Ability to operate computer equipment to input, verify, update, and extract data from information systems.
• Ability to provide information to defendants, witnesses, attorneys, court personnel, and the public.
• Ability to explain legal processes, procedures, and/or departmental policies.
• Ability to work within constant time constraints and deadlines.
• Ability to deal effectively with employees, attorneys, court personnel, and the public.

Physical Requirements

• Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Benefits of County Employment

• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.