Water Court Judicial Admin Assistant I

This position provides legal and administrative office support and judicial process coordination for the Honorable Judge Stephen Brown and Judge Bina Peters at the Montana Water Court in Missoula, Montana.

Responsibilities

• Type, edit, and proofread a variety of legal and court documents for grammar, style, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and format; serve as personal and confidential assistant to the judge.
• Compose letters, correspondence, and proposed legal documents for review and approval by the judge; review pleadings, correspondence, and telephone messages for proper action or proposed response from the court.
• Draft specific, general, or revised orders for the judge’s review; communicate with counsel, parties involved, jurors, law enforcement, and other agencies as authorized.
• Arrange meetings and conferences by notifying participants, preparing and distributing agendas and materials, and assisting with follow-up of decision items.
• Coordinate travel arrangements.
• Organize and coordinate incoming paperwork to ensure timely and accurate processing of information.
• Maintain hard copy and electronic calendars of case status, conferences, and other events or activities; schedule cases for the judge; remind judge and others of dates and events.
• Pull files and obtain other information required for court, conferences, and meetings; maintain filing systems; order office supplies; maintain the judge’s law library.
• Receive, screen, and route incoming telephone calls and provide information as authorized; screen mail, schedule matters for hearing, and maintain the judge’s personal calendar.
• Answer telephone in a professional, confidential, and courteous manner; screen calls, take messages, and provide information as authorized.
• May arrange for, attend, and electronically record court proceedings.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of legal terminology and format.
• Thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, and punctuation.
• Thorough knowledge of legal office practices, procedures, equipment, and standard office assistant techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of court procedures, preferably in a trial court.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn Zoom and regularly coordinate, set up, and operate Zoom for hearings.
• Ability to understand and carry out moderately complex verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to recognize and maintain confidentiality in work assignments.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Ability to operate a computer with word processing software.
• Ability to communicate effectively and accurately, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to accurately maintain extensive file systems.
• Ability to work well in cooperation with others, execute tasks promptly as assigned, be self-directed and well-organized, and work well under pressure.
• Ability to deal with irate or upset people in a calm manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county attorney staff, public defender, attorneys, other judges, employees of the district court, and the public.
• Skill in the operation of office equipment.

Qualifications

• An associate degree in business or clerical studies or a similar field.
• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Experience in a legal setting is required and can substitute for the associate degree.
• Experience as a high-level assistant is preferred.
• Possession of a valid Montana driver’s license may be required for some positions; proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle on State business.

Working Conditions

• Position requires activities such as sitting for long periods, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, lifting, moving, and carrying light to medium objects, and operating office equipment.
• The work is performed primarily in an office environment and involves exposure to normal, everyday risks which require normal safety precautions typical of offices.

Benefits

• Work/life balance and family-friendly policies.
• Health coverage.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays (combination of up to 38 per year).
• Opportunities and room for professional growth.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.

Pay

$25.78 hourly.

Schedule

Full-time, standard shift, day job. Travel required (5% of the time).