Legal Office Specialist #00054460-24400, Full-Time, Perm in Albuquerque, NM

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is recruiting for a full-time, permanent Legal Office Specialist in the Mediation and Self Help Division in Albuquerque, NM.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine legal support according to court rules and guidelines.
• Compose correspondence, notices, and legal documents.
• Perform administrative support functions.
• Keep court associates apprised of operational and procedural changes.
• Manage and coordinate the timely processing of documents, case files, and statistics.
• Research legal material and records.
• Analyze and process cases, maintain and manage case flow for rule compliance, and stamp and docket pleadings and legal records.
• Identify cases for judgments and court orders pursuant to directives by the judge or commissioner.
• Maintain calendar of deadlines and appointments, coordinate the timely processing of documents, and manage office files and records.
• Create agendas, schedule appointments, prepare materials for meetings, and manage administrative minutes.
• Communicate and apply complex rules for case administration, filing, court procedures, and legal processes under New Mexico State Law.
• Utilize and update legal reference materials.
• Review court rules and make recommendations to address non-routine legal issues that may fall outside court rules and guidelines.
• Provide guidance, consult, and assist new law clerks and other legal office specialists in the technical and procedural aspects of the job.
• Assist the judge or hearing officer in the courtroom.
• Provide customer service and information to the general public, attorneys, and judicial partners.
• Prepare transport lists, data collection, and compile and prepare statistical reports.
• Prepare legal pleadings, proofread documents, and follow up on overdue arbitrations.
• Serve as a liaison with state agencies and the public.
• Prepare draft memoranda in areas of law and maintain a resource library.
• May serve as a court monitor.
• Assist the Court’s Records Custodian with Inspection of Public Records requests and serve as backup to the ADA Coordinator.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

The successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge of:

• Legal terminology, procedures, court rules, policies, and operations.
• Case management systems and applicable software.
• Authorized and unauthorized practices of law.
• Supreme Court Rules and Regulations.
• New Mexico One Source of Law and other electronic legal databases.
• New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA).
• New Mexico Judicial Branch Personnel Rules.
• Arbitration, Settlement Facilitation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), civil and criminal processes, Pro Se, On-Record Appeals, etc.
• Rules and statutes of Notary Public.
• Office management and customer service practices.
• Research methodology.
• Filings in magistrate court, journal docket, sources for fact gathering, and data collection.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work is performed in an office or court setting.
• A valid driver's license and travel may be required.
• The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Regular interaction with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field.
• Education Substitution: Two (2) years of experience as a legal assistant, legal office specialist, judicial specialist, or directly related field.
• Experience: Three (3) years of experience as a legal assistant, legal office specialist, judicial specialist, or directly related field.
• Experience Substitution: Additional relevant education may substitute for up to one (1) year of experience. Thirty (30) semester hours equals one (1) year of experience.

Pay

$22.169–$27.711 per hour or $46,111.52–$57,638.88 annually.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance programs.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• State-paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance.
• Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses.
• Paid vacation and sick leave up to eight (8) weeks.
• Eleven (11) paid holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan.
• Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan.
• Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations.
• Free health care, prescriptions, and lab work at the Stay Well Health Center in Santa Fe, NM.
• Bilingual compensation (varies by job classification or need).
• Training and career development opportunities.
• Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement.
• May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• May receive overtime, holiday, or shift differential pay.
• May receive physical fitness leave (varies by job classification or need).