This is very responsible work performing a variety of administrative and clerical duties in managing the office of a  County/Circuit Court Judge. Work involves displaying initiative, good judgment, professionalism, follow-through on different assignments, the ability to multi-task and readily adapt to fast-paced environments, neatness, organizational skills, and have a strong work ethic. Frequent working contacts are made with judges, offices of the Clerk of Court, Administrative Office of the Courts, State Attorney, Public Defender, private attorneys, law clerks, state and local law enforcement, witnesses, bailiffs, criminal justice and social service professionals, the news media and the general public. Work is often of a sensitive and confidential nature. The Judicial Assistant must observe high standards of conduct. Assignments are coordinated through the Administrative Office of the Courts Human Resources Division and work is performed under the immediate supervision of the assigned judicial officer.

• Prepares and manages the Judge’s court and professional calendar coordinating and scheduling motions, pre-trial hearings, trials, conferences, and committee meetings; maintains trial dockets, continuances and trial orders; assists attorneys with procedures on filing motions and hearing dates.
• Provides organizational support for the judge’s caseload, including preparing orders, docketing jury instructions and a list of pending cases; ordering jurors; and coordinating in-house services, such as interpreters.
• Reviews case files for accuracy, format compliance and completeness before scheduled hearings.
• Acts as the Judge’s liaison to assist and inform litigants, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, and witnesses concerning court procedure and policy.
• Screens telephone calls and visitors to the judge’s office; provides information, resolves issues, directs caller/visitor to proper personnel or agency, or takes messages.
• Performs routine clerical tasks such as reviewing, distributing and responding to incoming mail; performing data entry, ordering office supplies, maintaining files/records, faxing or photocopying.
• Composes and/or edits correspondence, memoranda, directives, notices, orders, reports, e-mails, and other documents observing strict confidentiality.
• Prepares yearly financial disclosures forms; makes travel arrangements and processes travel vouchers.
• Researches information on hearing dates for other agencies; prepares notices of hearings for cases set on the calendar by the judge.
• Interacts with attorneys and litigants to resolve problems such as scheduling conflicts or other case-related issues.
• May conduct limited case law research using an electronic database such as Lexis-Nexis.
• Performs related work as required.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of college or vocational school education in paralegal, secretarial skills, computer operations or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of related experience.

The KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES (KSAs):

• Working knowledge of trial court rules and procedures. 
• Excellent legal secretary and administrative skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills. 
• Excellent computer software knowledge: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint,  Mentis, ECourtesy, Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), Odyssey, E-Filing, Office 365, Outlook, Mocha. 
• Excellent typing skills. 
• Thorough knowledge of business English, spelling and punctuation. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. 
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and recognize and establish work priorities. 
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with integrity and confidentiality. 
• Ability to handle individuals who are under stress with courtesy, tact and patience. 
• Ability to organize and coordinate schedules of various individuals and/or groups on the court calendar. 
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including personal computers and word processing and data entry applications for case management. 
• Ability to be a self-starter and work independently with minimal supervision.