Legal Assistant

Winona County is accepting applications for this position until 4:00 p.m. March 6, 2025.

This position starts at $25.32/hour (DOQ) with advancement up to $32.44/hour.

Characteristics of Class:
Under direction and with considerable latitude for independent judgment, an employee in this class performs responsible legal clerical work for the County Attorney's Office, involving filing, answering telephone and dealing with the public.  Performs related work as required.  Work is performed in an office setting. 

Examples of Duties:
Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples listed in their relative order of importance include all the duties which may be found in positions of this class. 

• Prepares a wide variety of correspondence and reports as drafted by attorneys.  May prepare correspondence, applying an acquired knowledge of departmental operations and procedures.
• Schedules appointments, hearings, and witness conferences, to eliminate schedule conflicts for the County Attorneys.  Greets the public, takes telephone calls, reads correspondence, and provides information.
• Gathers material for review by County Attorney or Assistant County Attorney’s, examines reports for accuracy and completeness, and identifies errors. Assembles materials related to cases and updated files.  Deals with specialized matters, providing technical information to inquiries that come into the office. May act as receptionist.
• Establishes and maintains records systems to record departmental activities, the collection of fees, cost allocations, use of materials and a wide range of related matters.
• Prepares letters, petitions, resolutions, contracts, bonds, criminal complaints, highway deeds, orders, affidavits, petitions for judicial commitments and other documents as requested.
• Operates office equipment including copy machines, calculator, microfilm machine, and personal computers.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Any combination of training and experience providing the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

For Pre-Employment: 

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to high school graduation, plus one year of legal secretary education and six months experience; OR
• Two years responsible experience as a legal secretary with a private legal firm, or public agency directly involved with legal processes; or Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, or a paralegal certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent transportation.
• Must pass a personal background investigation.
• Ability to follow departmental procedures, county policies, and rules concerning confidentiality.
• Ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with staff members, representatives from other agencies and the general public.
• Knowledge of computers and computer-based programs such as Prosecutor by Karpel, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point and Outlook).
• Ability to organize work efficiently and operate under time constraints.
• Ability to accurately and rapidly process detailed information.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.