LEGAL ASSISTANT - CRIMINAL DIVISION

Job Description:

LEGAL ASSISTANT - CRIMINAL DIVISION

Description

Position Scope

Our Vision: We aspire to be the community of limitless possibilities.

Our Mission is to provide exceptional services for a safe, thriving community, while honoring our history and innovating for the future.

Embrace the New - Do Right - Lend a Hand - Find a Way - Enjoy our Work - Celebrate Uniqueness

Our Benefits
The City of Buckeye provides an extensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our employees. This includes health, dental, vision, life, pet insurance, as well as wellness incentives. Coverage begins the first day of the month following the start of your employment.

Vacation & Sick Leave

At the City of Buckeye, we understand the vital role that vacation time plays in supporting the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of our employees. Vacation and sick leave accruals begin on the first day of employment and may be used upon accrual. Additionally, employees receive credit towards vacation leave accruals for years of service with other public sector retirement systems nationwide (not including Federal service).

Holidays

The City of Buckeye observes eleven holidays per year: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Retirement
This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Contribution is mandatory, and the current contribution rate is 12.27%, per fiscal year.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Position Scope: Provides direct legal and administrative assistance to the Criminal Division. Conducts case management, researches legal issues, drafts legal memorandums and documents, compiles statistics, prepares reports, and provides information and assistance as requested. Reviews body-worn camera audio and video, identifies information for redaction in compliance with victim’s rights. This position is eligible for remote and/or hybrid work.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. lncumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Plans, organizes, and manages the activities of staff involved in the daily operations of customer service, billing, receipt, reconciliation, security of revenues, and resolution of billing complaint functions.
• Performs case work by preparing and documenting files from case inception to final disposition and storage; processes and responds to disclosure requests; provides information and assistance to internal and external customers; conducts legal research; prepares motions, complaints, legal documents, petitions, subpoenas, discovery requests, and letters; assists the Sr. Legal Assistant with legal correspondence as needed; obtains case criminal history reports/prior convictions and certified records in and out of state; obtains DUI blood analysis and crime lab reports, notes, controls, calibration and function/accuracy records from AZDPS; corresponds with victim advocates to complete victim notifications; assists prosecutors with preparation before trial and during trial.
• Assists in scheduling depositions and meetings; schedules and participates in officer, victim, and witness interviews; processes and distributes mail; manages and orders supplies; acts as a receptionist as needed; screens telephone calls and requests for information; routes inquiries to appropriate staff member, department or agency; maintains statistical records; compiles reports; completes assigned projects as needed.
• Completes review of body-worn camera audio and video and completes redaction of evidence for disclosure in court proceedings.
• Demonstrates a continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and works cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service; assists in developing and documenting policies and procedures.
• Researches a variety of legal issues using legal research software, the internet, hard copy statutes, case law, rules and procedures; writes clearly and effectively with good organization and grammar; calculates and schedules filing deadlines and files legal documents in appropriate court in a timely manner; responds to discovery requests; organizes legal files for attorneys; organizes and tracks matters received from other departments; coordinates, prepares, organizes, and tracks conflict cases referred to and received from other jurisdictions.
• Performs general financial and accounting procedures for the department by reconciling department monthly credit cards and department credit card purchases, initiating purchase requests and receipting goods and services within the purchasing system.
• Assists department with report preparation, special projects and activities, presentations, operational and strategic plans, and customer requests for information. Assists management staff with follow-up work on assignments within the department.
• Monitors/updates case management system; assists department with records management and the paper and electronic filing system and assists with master filing system and record retention.
• Performs assigned tasks and works in cooperation with other city employees for a common goal.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and demonstrates ethical behavior.
• Provides coverage for Sr. Legal Assistant and support to others within the department as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications & Position Requirements

Education and Experience:

Two (2) year associate degree and three (3) years’ related experience in a related field, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures
• Procedures and policies of the City Attorney’s Office
• Customer service principles
• Filing and recordkeeping procedures and practices
• Mathematical concepts
• Report preparation techniques
• Legal case management procedures
• Principles and protocols for evidentiary gathering of information, documents, records, and other data that may be used in court

Skill in:

• Using Microsoft Office products and other relevant technologies
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software
• Preparing accurate reports, documents, and correspondence
• Effective oral and written communication

Ability to:

• Read and comprehend legal documents, motions, pleadings, policies and procedures, court rules, statutes and various case law
• Write legal documents and motions
• Work effectively under stress
• Prepare and proofread a variety of reports and/or documentation
• Use proper English, grammar, punctuation and spelling
• Exercise judgment and discretion
• Maintain records and files
• Maintain calendars
• Recognize problems and identify alternative solutions
• Prioritize work and perform multiple tasks
• Work independently
• Protect privileged and/or confidential information
• Work cooperatively with the public
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contact in the performance of work

Preferred Qualifications: Experience operating ProsecutorbyKarpel, Axon and Evidence.com software or other case management software. Experience reviewing body worn camera audio and video for redaction and ability to disclose redacted audio and video in a timely manner. Familiarity with victim rights and criminal justice proceedings.

12-Month Goals:

• Learn the policies, procedures, processes, and technologies used in the Criminal Division of the City Attorney’s office and City of Buckeye.
• Develop an understanding of the Criminal Division of the City Attorney’s office structure, purpose, and goals in the City of Buckeye.
• Provide high quality support to Criminal Division attorneys for discovery requests and legal documents including review, document preparation, and research.
• Assist in developing and implementing processes in support of the City Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.
• Offer excellent customer service and communication to departments and external partners of the city representing City Attorney’s office.
• Provide necessary administrative and clerical support to Criminal Division staff as needed in a growing office.

Additional Information

Special Requirements: Valid Arizonia driver’s license and ability to pass a background check and become ACJIS certified in prosecution.
Physical Demands / Work Environment: Standard office environment / ability to work remote or from home.
Reports To: City Prosecutor or designee
Supervision Exercised: None

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Employee Benefits & Wellness

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time classified and management employees. Part-time classified employees may be eligible for select benefits where defined.

For complete Benefit Plan & Wellness Information, please visit the City website at:
Benefits & Wellness

City benefit plans are subject to change at any time.

Closing Date/Time: 6/9/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

Salary:

$50,294.40 - $75,420.80 Annually