POSITION SUMMARY
At will position appointed by and reports to the County Attorney. Under general supervision, administer and coordinate the victim/witness program and ensure county compliance with the Iowa Victim Rights Act. The individual in this position receives little instruction on day-to-day work requiring the exercise of a high level of discretion. The individual also provides administrative services and legal support for the County Attorney’s office.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
o Interact regularly with legal staff, court officials, witnesses, law enforcement personnel, child abuse investigators, victims of crimes, county officials and others involved in hearings, trials, and lawsuits.
o Prepares drafts of pleadings, motions, and discovery documents in connection with cases, types legal papers, documents, and correspondence including summonses, complaints, motions, subpoenas, briefs, pleadings, appeals, contracts, deeds, and other legal instruments from written or verbal instructions. Transcribes interviews, interrogations, and prepares legal transcripts, and tracks subpoenas for court cases.
o Assist attorneys in preparing documents and reviewing the work of others for completeness and accuracy prior to necessary action or approval; edits and ensures that all documents and contents of reports are timely filed and maintained.
o Provides services, support, and education to victims and witnesses of crimes; ensures victims and witnesses are treated with fairness and respect and receive information and assistance for relevant services, including notification of significant court events, referrals to appropriate support services, reasonable protection from the accused, help in determining and requesting restitution and the return of property and information concerning the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment and release of the offender.
o Performs additional duties as outlined by the Iowa Code, Iowa Attorney General and U.S. Department of Justice regarding being the Crime Victim/Witness Coordinator for the County.
o In the absence of or in assistance to the legal secretary, create and maintain case files, answer phones, maintain schedules for multiple individuals, research procedural matters, make travel arrangements, schedule meetings and conferences, file day-to-day correspondence.
o Must pass a thorough fingerprint search conducted by local, state, and national files.
o Must maintain regular and punctual work attendance. Must complete crime victim/witness coordinator and prosecutor support staff training programs on an annual basis.
INCIDENTAL JOB DUTIES
o Any other duties as assigned or required by the County Attorney or Assistant County Attorneys.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skill and abilities.
o Basic knowledge of the Iowa court system and criminal procedure.
o Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to create and interpret bar graphs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED (Continued)
o Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with staff, elected officials, county employees, court staff, law enforcement, social welfare officials, victims, witnesses and the public.
o Ability to manage multiple projects, plan, organize, and prioritize tasks with numerous interruptions and maintain composure while working under pressure and adapt quickly to change.
o Ability to use logical thinking and pay attention to detail to solve problems and reach conclusions. Display a high level of initiative, effort, attention to detail, and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision.
o Ability to display high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity, and refrain from theft-related, dishonest, or unethical behavior.
o Ability to receive and follow written and verbal directions with proficiency and accuracy.
o Ability to handle confidential work with tact and discretion; to perform complex clerical tasks and handle routine decisions in accordance with department policy.
o Knowledge of basic office practices, and the ability to operate a variety of standard office equipment such as; but not limited to: computers and various software applications, multi-line telephone, copier, facsimile, scanners, postage meter, printers, shredders, and calculator.
o Knowledge and familiarity with Microsoft Office; and case management software, preferably PROSECUTORbyKarpel (PbK).
o Knowledge of legal principles and legal research methods, strong grammar and spelling skills required.
o Knowledge of the purposes, objectives, and organization of the County Attorney’s Office.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Education/Training: High School Diploma or GED; plus, an associate degree in a legal assistant program or related field.
And,
Work Experience: Two (2) years of full-time work as a legal secretary or paralegal, or a similar support capacity under the supervision of a practicing attorney or criminal justice agency.
Preferred Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in human services, criminal justice, or related field with experience as a Crime Victim/Witness Coordinator.
OR,
An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential job duties.
Required licenses, registrations, and certifications: Possession of a valid State of Iowa Driver’s license.
Required post‑offer physical examinations: Must meet all requirements as outlined in the employee handbook.
Required drug testing: Drug testing shall be required as allowed by state law.
Residency requirement: None.
Other testing required: None.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; climb; sit; stand for extended time periods; turn; twist body; bend; use hand to finger manual dexterity, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk and hear. The employee must frequently push/pull or lift up to ten (10) pounds with ease. Specific vision abilities required by the job include near vision, far vision, depth perception, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee’s work is primarily performed inside in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Work time may require irregular hours and shift times.
HOURS OF WORK
Generally, 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday. May be required to work additional hours or to change hours with minimal notice because of operational needs.
1. Marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties have been excluded from this job description.
2. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective employees and incumbents are encouraged to discuss possible accommodation with the County.
3. Job descriptions in no way state or imply that the description includes every duty to be performed by the employee in the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by their supervisor.
4. The County reserves the right to change or reassign job duties or combine positions at any time.
5. Buchanan County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
