Legal Assistant/Sr. Legal Assistant - Civil Division
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Legal Assistant/Sr. Legal Assistant - Civil Division
Salary
$23.34 - $31.80 Hourly
Location
Government Center, MN
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
26-00100
Department
County Attorney Office
Division
Civil Division
Opening Date
05/08/2026
Closing Date
5/18/2026 11:59 PM Central
Description
Benefits
Questions
JOB SPECIFICS
We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Civil Division Legal Assistant to join our team. In this role, you will provide essential support to Assistant County Attorneys and Paralegals within the Civil Division. The ideal candidate will excel in teamwork, possess excellent attention to detail, and demonstrate strong self-motivation. Key responsibilities include prioritizing tasks, proofreading documents, and maintaining effective communication.
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:
Experience working in a public sector law office
Experience preparing, proofing and editing legal documents
Experience with State systems including MGA and eFile/eServe
Experience with the dissemination and storage of digital evidence
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.
HOURS / DAYS: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.
ANTICIPATED HIRING RATE: $23.34 to $27.57 Hourly
E-Verify Participation: Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
E- Verify Participation (https://web1.co.washington.mn.us/NeoGovNotices/HR/2024/E-Verify\Participation\Poster\Eng\Es.pdf)
Right to work Poster
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Office Supervisor, the Legal Assistant provides skilled and confidential legal assistance to attorneys and staff within the various divisions of the County Attorney's Office. The Legal Assistant is the first level in the Legal Assistant job classification series and the work involves diversity, independent judgment and discretion. The work performed by the Legal Assistant affects the quality and timeliness of the cases tried by the County Attorney's Office.
EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The Legal Assistant position requires a high school diploma or equivalent AND; Completion of a one-year business school or vocational-technical program in Legal Studies AND three years of experience in a law office.
OR; Completion of an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Legal Assistant/Paralegal studies AND two years of experience in a law office.
OR; Bachelor's Degree AND a Paralegal Certificate AND two years of experience in a law office.
OR; An approved equivalent combination of education and experience.
CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE
Core Competencies (https://web1.co.washington.mn.us/NeoGovNotices/HR/CoreCompetenciesDefined2025.pdf) outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
Promotes diversity and a culturally competent workforce.
Works collaboratively both within the organization and with others involved in the legal process to achieve common goals.
Demonstrates knowledge of legal office procedures, practices and regulations.
Demonstrates knowledge of legal terminology.
Resolves conflicts and disagreements in a positive and constructive manner to minimize negative impacts.
Demonstrates skills in utilizing proper formats to prepare legal forms and documents.
Demonstrates ability to @type at least sixty words per minute editing work for accurate spelling and grammar usage.
Understand court processes and procedures.
Demonstrates ability to perform mathematical calculations.
Works in an honest and ethical manner; maintains confidentiality; deals with frequent change, delays or unexpected events; exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
Demonstrates ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with data privacy acts.
Demonstrates ability to meet multiple deadlines for cases.
Demonstrates ability to report potentially unsafe situations or individuals.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
These examples do not limit the assignment of other related tasks and work in any position classification. Please note that the Legal Assistant may perform some or all of the following tasks depending on their location and area of expertise.
Legal Case Preparation:
Receives time-sensitive referrals from law enforcement agencies, creates case files, and forwards to the attorney for legal decision.
Prepares, proofs, and files pleadings, documents, and correspondence in accordance with both the State and Federal Rules of Practice.
Subpoena victims and witnesses for Court proceedings.
Assist the attorneys with hearings, trials, or administrative proceedings by preparing exhibits for presentation to the Court, managing photographs, charts, and audio/video evidence to be displayed during trial. This may include creating and/or coordinating complex audio/video presentations.
Assist in the preparation and editing of investigative reports, files, court records, photographs, audio and visual recordings and other documents for disclosure to defendants and other persons or entities in compliance with the Civil and Criminal Rules of Procedure.
Author and sign correspondence provided the Legal Assistant status is clearly indicated and the correspondence does not contain independent legal opinion or legal advice.
Utilize, Update, and Maintain Databases, Case Files, and Calendars:
Obtain, analyze, and organize legal case documents; access and prepare clear and concise reports and data; maintain accurate records and files; and handle confidential and sensitive information.
Utilize several complex databases containing public and private data such as LENS, PRISM, Caseworks, MNCIS, PACER, Westlaw, Vinelink, Minnesota Statewide Supervision, MP5, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension database, Minnesota eFiling and eService, Minnesota eCharging, Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Database, Washington County Sheriff's Office Warrant Search.
Update and maintain computerized legal database to ensure accurate office statistics and maintain the record retention program.
Perform confidential criminal history research, driver's license and vehicle research, and conduct/execute background checks using the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension database.
Maintain the case management system by processing the court calendar for the attorneys.
Assist with the training of the Law Clerks, as well as maintain their work schedules, update the law clerk manual, and respond to inquiries as needed.
Assist the attorneys in gathering facts and material evidence for the case.
Office Processes and Procedures:
Communicate the status of the case to the attorneys, parties involved, other departments and agencies.
Confer with other departments and agencies to verify and obtain additional information for the case.
Assist in advising victims and witnesses of changes to the court schedule or cancellation of court events to which they may have been subpoenaed.
Assist the public, law enforcement, attorneys, agencies or other county employees by responding to inquiries and requests.
Process accounts payable, receivable and purchase orders.
Coordinate purchasing and inventory control for department supplies.
Continuously evaluate processes and procedures to improve workflow.
Responsible for assisting on call attorneys when the office is closed on holidays.
Schedule hearings, depositions, conference calls, and related matters for the attorneys.
Transcribe a multitude of different @types of audio recordings including police interviews, jail/prison calls, 911 calls and squad audio.
Training and Certification:
Within six months of hire, obtain BCA certification and re-certify every two years (if applicable).
Obtain PRISM/Data Practices certification and re-certify every year (if applicable).
Obtain and renew Notary Commission Certificate and E-Notarization Authorization.
Must pass a criminal background check.
Must pass a fingerprint background check.
Remain up-to-date on new or modified statutes and court rules.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is sedentary in nature and involves sitting most of the time though about 20% of the time is spent doing tasks that require standing such as filing, scanning, faxing, and copying. The work requires lifting or carrying materials weighing up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Work requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to individuals. There is some pressure associated with case deadlines for preparing legal documents, preparing case files for time-sensitive referrals, and court and trial preparation.
Document preparation and writing at times requires extended use of a keyboard. Work interruptions are frequent. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.
This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.
Washington County offers a comprehensive benefit package (https://web1.co.washington.mn.us/NeoGovNotices/HR/2025/BenefitsGuideBook2025.pdf) including paid time off, holidays, medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance.
For a more detailed overview of our AFSCME exempt (salaried ) benefit package, click here (https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/50324/AFSCME-Exempt-Benefit-Synopsis-PDF) .
For a more detailed overview of our AFSCME non-exempt (hourly) benefit package, click here (https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/55122/AFSCME-Non-Exempt-Benefit-Synopsis-PDF) .
01
Please indicate which of the following minimum qualifications for this position that you possess:
I have a high school diploma or equivalent AND I have completed a one-year business school or vocational-technical program in Legal Studies AND I have three years of experience in a law office.
I have an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Legal Assistant/Paralegal studies AND two years of experience in a law office.
I have a Bachelor's Degree AND a Paralegal Certificate AND two years of experience in a law office.
I have an equivalent combination of education and experience in a law office.
None of the above
02
If you answered an "equivalent combination of education and experience in a law office" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of how you believe it is equivalent. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
03
Do you have work experience as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal in a public sector law office?
Yes, less than 2 years
Yes, 2-4 years
Yes, more than 4 years
No
04
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of your experience and the name of the employer(s) where you gained that experience. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
05
Do you have experience preparing, proofing and editing legal documents?
Yes
No
06
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide the name of the certificate program/degree, the length of the program, and the school you attended. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
07
Do you have work experience with State systems including MGA, eFile/eServe?
Yes
No
08
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of your experience and the name of the employer(s) where you gained that experience. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
09
Do you have experience with the dissemination and storage of digital evidence?
Yes
No
10
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of your experience and the name of the employer(s) where you gained that experience. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
11
Do you have experience with Microsoft Office Suite? (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Yes
No
12
If you answered "Yes" to the above question, you must provide a brief summary of your experience and the name of the employer(s) where you gained that experience. (If you answered "No" to the above question, enter "NA" in the text box.)
Required Question
Employer
Washington County (MN)
Address
14949 62nd Street North Stillwater, Minnesota, 55082
Phone
651-430-6081
Website
https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov
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