Legal Staff Supervisor - Promotional

This recruitment is promotional only. You must presently be a full or part-time regular or probationary County of Sonoma, Community Development Commission, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, or Sonoma County Water Agency employee to apply.

About the Role

The Legal Staff Supervisor plans, directs, and supervises the work of a team of Legal Secretaries, Legal Processors, and Interpreter/Translators in the Public Defender's Office. The primary focus is the supervision and coordination of day-to-day staff activities. The supervisor collaborates with other supervisors and managers on operational or personnel-related decisions and makes independent decisions related to daily workflow, staff guidance, and resolving routine procedural issues.

Responsibilities

• Train support staff and coordinate daily workflow
• Develop procedures and policies to support the office's operational needs
• Monitor work performed by support staff to ensure compliance with established departmental procedures
• Handle complex procedural questions regarding work performed by support staff

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following:

• A practical approach to formulating procedures and policies affecting support staff operations
• Ability to apply sound judgment in resolving workflow challenges
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to coach staff one-on-one and as a group
• Ability to support staff with compassion and empathy while maintaining boundaries
• Experience coordinating the day-to-day activities of legal and office support staff
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Experience working with supervisors and managers to implement new processes
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, Public Defender staff, departmental representatives, court officials, and the public

Requirements

Education

Any combination of education and training which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, some coursework in paralegal studies, legal secretarial (such as legal documents, office practices and procedure), or other law-related courses. A certificate of completion of paralegal studies from an accredited program or college is highly desirable for some assignments.

Experience

Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, three years of work experience in a law office, law enforcement office, or court environment processing legal documents, at least one year of which has been in a supervisory or lead worker capacity.

Special Skill Requirement

The ability to type at a corrected speed of 45 words per minute may be required for some assignments.

License

Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level, including special endorsements as required by the State of California, may be required depending on assignment. The position advertised does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Background Requirements

Applicants for some assignments must successfully complete a thorough background investigation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough Knowledge Of:

• Court-related government or department codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, procedures, and policy decisions necessary to accomplish objectives of the assigned division
• The operations, procedures, timetables, and jurisdictions of the court or department of assignment

Considerable Knowledge Of:

• The organization, functions, and procedures of the California court system
• The principles and practices of effective supervision, training, and basic procedures of sound personnel management
• The computer and record systems of the court or the department of assignment
• Basic arithmetic, English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and composition
• Technical resource materials and information sources applicable to the area of assignment

Working Knowledge Of:

• Legal terminology, documents, and responsibilities
• Functions and procedures of county law offices and other law enforcement agencies as they pertain to the filing and processing of documents, complaints, the issuance and service of warrants, and the recording of dispositions

Ability To:

• Plan and coordinate the work in the assigned unit
• Communicate appropriately with supervisors, peers, subordinates, judges, attorneys, and the general public
• Evaluate and assess employee behavior and performance
• Communicate behavior and performance standards to subordinates
• Review and analyze problems, choose effective solutions, and implement necessary changes to correct the problem
• Train new employees
• Understand, explain, and apply specific statutes, codes, laws, regulations, and procedures
• Develop, evaluate, research, and implement policies and procedures related to the work of the assigned unit
• Maintain complex legal records, assemble materials, and prepare reports
• Locate, identify, and correct technical inaccuracies
• Establish and maintain cooperative and harmonious relationships with judges, attorneys, litigants, other employees, and the general public
• Use independent initiative and discretion in organizing work and supervising the work of others

Benefits

Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and the Employee Benefits Directory.