Legal Support Specialist - Inmate Legal Services

Maricopa County
United States, Arizona, Phoenix
Jan 28, 2025
Posting Date 01/29/25 Application Deadline 02/06/25 Pay Range Min - Mid - Max $21.00 - $27.50 - $34.00 Job Type Unclassified Department Sheriff About the Position Do you have a keen sense of legal curiosity and the ability to manage information? The Legal Support Specialist provides support to the MCSO Inmate Legal Services (ILS). This includes providing access to court, legal research and materials. ILS responds to inmate requests, which may include legal research, and provides research per requirements so access to the courts is not hindered. ILS is mandated by the consent decreeof Hart v.MCSO, January, 1995 to follow strict guidelines in providing legal services to MCSO inmates. Will you be the one to help us achieve great results? About the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Do you possess integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and do you have a desire to serve your community? We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team with a variety of openings for Civilian, Detention and Sworn personnel. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) invites you to become part of Arizona's leading law enforcement agency where we come together as a team to support and provide public safety. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications. *Education* High School Diploma or GED *Experience* Two (2) years of experience in a legal setting that includes legal preparations and legal proceedings. OR *Combined education and experience qualifications* Post-secondary education may substitute for therequiredexperience on a year-for-year basis. *Other Requirements* Training with the exception of Arizona driver's license to be provided on-the-job: FEMA NIMS - IS100 AND 700 OSHA training ADP payroll training PREA training Must possess or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire, a valid Arizona driver's license. Notary commission received within six (6) months of employment with renewal as required by the Secretary of State. Obtain Terminal Operator Certification (TOC) within six (6) months of employment with renewal required every two years. Prior to hiring, the Sheriff's Office requires that all candidates pass an extensive background review. *Our Preferred Candidate has* Associate degree Paralegal Studies or Legal Assistance or a certificate of completion from an accredited Legal Assistant (Paralegal) program. One (1) year experience working in a paralegal capacity. Experience working in a law office, court, law enforcement, or detention setting. Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills. Compensation is more than a salary with MCSO: Growth and stability since 1871 Choice of three medical plans - starting as low as $70/month Holidays - 10/year + 1 personal day Enrollment in Arizona State Retirement System Paid sick and parental leaves (birth/adoption) 10% discount at KinderCare facilities in the Valley and upcomingMCKids Club to serve County employees and their families exclusively MCSO Mentoring program to provide personal and professional growth opportunities for all employees Access to free County gyms Learn more at Benefits Overview ESSENTIAL JOB TASKS (This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.) Assists inmates with legal research by providing the statutes, case law, and rules of procedure. Provides detainees confidential contact with their attorney(s) and other court officials. Supplies inmates with proper forms to file motions, complaints, responds to complaints for civil and criminal cases. Gives assistance and legal research to Pro-Per and Pro-Se inmates to review and analyze motions, petitions and complaints for correct format and content. Advises inmates in the preparation of motions, petitions and complaints and tracks information and materials provided to Pro-Per and Pro-Se inmates. Monitors the status of criminal and civil cases through various Arizona Court databases, e.g., iCISng, PACER, AZ Court of Appeals, and Public Access. Conducts legal research electronically through Westlaw. Provides specific notary services for MCSO inmates after first thoroughly reviewing request and inmate positively identified to ensure ILS services are not used for fraudulent purposes. Processes inmate legal requests and assists with legal problems, without the unauthorized practice of law. Delivers and serves federal detainers. Files, delivers, and mails court documents to Arizona Courts (Maricopa Superior Court, AZ Supreme Court, U.S. District Court, AZ Court of Appeals and the Downtown Justice Court Center). Provides eligible inmates with legal writing materials. Reviews and analyzes various court filings inclusive of motions, petitions, and complaints for content and format. Analyzes request forms to determine the needs of the inmate. Ensures documents are filed within the legal time limits to appropriate courts. Assists with updating forms, statutes, and court rules. Prioritizes and sends out material and forms in accordance with the rules of the court. Prepares reports and maintains statistical data. Be present at work site to perform tasks as scheduled and/or assigned by supervisor. Working Conditions Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. The following environments described are only representative of how the essential job tasks are currently performed or envisioned. As such, in order to accommodate a disability or limitation, the essential job tasks may be performed in ways other than described on these pages. Work occurs primarily indoors working in MCSO jail facilities with various staff and all classifications of inmates. Work occurs primarily indoors and includes regular contact with inmates and jail housing units. Tasks require manual dexterity of hands and body to operate office equipment as well as managing frequent interruptions, time pressures, and high work volumes. Job includes team-oriented activities and interaction with all levels of personnel, inmates and the public. Responsibilities require concentration, accuracy, ethical conduct and a professional demeanor. *Work Environment* Indoors Rarely outdoors or in temperatures above 90 degrees and/or below 40 degrees Conditions that may include wet/damp area, stairs or ladders, unprotected heights Occasionally high noise level, bright lighting or dim lighting Rarely exposure to contagious diseases *Physical Environment* Sitting, standing, walking Driving a vehicle Speaking, hearing, seeing, reading Bending, kneeling, reaching, twisting Lifting floor to waist twenty (20) pounds Lifting waist to shoulder of twenty (20) pounds Lifting shoulder to overhead of ten (10) pounds Carrying a weight of ten (10) pounds for a distance of 75 feet Pushing/pulling a weight of fifty (50) pounds for a distance of 75 feet *Social Environment* Frequently dangerous environment, rarely emergencies Handling multiple or complicated tasks and occasionally changing or unscheduled tasks High volume of work with time pressures Frequent interruptions Accuracy and attention to detail Decision making Working in a team environment in close proximity with others Frequent contact with the public Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities *Knowledge of* Microsoft Office Suite applications with intermediate proficiency. Legal terminology, principles, precedents, procedures and research methods. Rules of Court, evidence, discovery, Federal Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, methods and techniques of writing briefs, opinions, reports and other established documents. Court system and court rules for filing. *Skill in* Utilizing technical information to make an independent decision. Interviewing and eliciting information in a legal investigation as required, and extracting and utilizing information in statutes, court decisions, legal documents and other documents. *Ability to* Read and understand citations and knowledge of primary and secondary sources. Identify most updated versions of research material to provide pertinent case law, forms, and statutes to inmates, and apply such statutes and legal precedents to the specific needs of the inmate. Establish and maintain successful working relationships. Communicate effectively in oral and written formats as appropriate for the needs of the audience. SELECTION PROCEDURE: The hiring authority will select the successful candidate based on departmental needs. All offers of employment made to new hires and rehires at Maricopa County are contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment thorough background investigation. A background investigation is conducted on a current employee who changes to a Safety Sensitive Position or one having the potential for serious adverse impact on the integrity or efficiency of the County. These requirements do not pertain to employees of elected officials who undergo background investigation processes administered through their respective offices. Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate, up to midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience, internal equity and budgetary allowances. Selection Procedure Only the most qualified candidates will be considered Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer. Apply Now!