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Self-Help Legal Assistant

Shasta County Superior Court
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Under the direct supervision of the Family Law Facilitator/Self-Help Attorney, the Self-Help Legal Assistant classification provides specialized legal assistance and general information to self-represented litigants regarding legal processes and procedures for case types assisted by the Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator’s Office including: assessing and analyzing legal problems and presenting appropriate options for the situation; utilizing the Court’s case management system to identify litigant’s file history; preparing legal documents; providing information regarding resources; assisting the Family Law Facilitator/Self-Help Attorney with a variety of paraprofessional legal duties; and other related work as assigned. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

This is a paraprofessional classification that performs a variety of clerical and routine legal work and interacts with the public in a high visibility, high volume environment.  The Self-Help Legal Assistant is distinguished from the Self-Help Legal Specialist classification in that incumbents in the latter class possess advanced knowledge and understanding of the Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator’s legal practice areas.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

  • Interview and triage self-represented litigants, assess and analyze the legal problems and goals, and determine the appropriate next steps and procedures.
  • Provide general legal information pertaining to legal procedures, court rules and process, rights, and obligations particular to the litigant’s needs. Provide informational and instructional materials and referrals to online information and community resources.
  • Assist self-represented litigants from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds with completion of legal forms in a ministerial manner and review documents provided to ensure procedural completion and compliance with statutes and rules.
  • Explain legal procedures and provide legal information in one-on-one situations in person, by phone and by email.
  • Prepare judgments, stipulations, and court orders, and assist in the creation of forms and documents to be used in the Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator’s office.
  • Assist in conducting workshops and clinics to groups of litigants.
  • In a back-up capacity to the Self-Help Legal Specialist, be able to assist in-court litigants with legal forms and informational handouts at the request of a bench officer.
  • Prepare basic child support calculations based upon statutory guidelines utilizing the California Child Support Guideline Calculator.
  • Maintain daily timesheets and report statistics pursuant to grant reporting requirements.
  • Undergo training to stay informed of changes of laws, cases, forms, and procedures in the areas of service.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Experience

Any combination of training, education, and/or experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities would be as follows: 

Completion of an approved legal paraprofessional training program, and/or two (2) or more years of  legal or court clerical experience processing court documents and assisting the public.  
 

Knowledge of:

  • Legal terminology, phraseology, documents, and forms;
  • Purpose, format and processing procedures of a wide variety of legal forms and documents;
  • Basic procedures of the court system regarding processing of legal documents and filing deadlines;
  • Principles of office organization, and modern office methods and practices; and
  • Correct English usage; including spelling grammar, and punctuation.

 

Ability to:

  • Understand, explain, and apply specific statutes, codes, laws, regulations, procedures, and legal terminology applicable to self-help program and court processes;
  • Understand and explain Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator’s Office practices and procedures;
  • Understand, explain, and apply legal processes, forms and documents used in areas of law served by self-help centers;
  • Aid litigants with understanding service requirements and methods.
  • Accurately prepare and process court documents;
  • Maintain records and files;
  • Follow oral and written directions;
  • Locate, identify, and correct inaccuracies;
  • Assist self-represented litigants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds who are in various emotional states;
  • Maintain and ensure the integrity of sensitive and confidential information;
  • Operate a computer and use standard business software and a variety of computer software programs and databases related to area of assignment;
  • Use tact, diplomacy, and compassion when dealing with sensitive situations and upset customers;
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION INFORMATION:

Carefully complete your application and supplemental questionnaire and submit by the application deadline.  A cover letter and resume are not accepted as a replacement for your application.

  • Complete all requested information fully. Incomplete applications will not be processed and your application will be rejected if you write statements such as "See/Refer to Resume" or "See Attached."
  • It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. If you held multiple positions with the same employer, please list each job title and duties separately. Explain gaps between any employment periods by way of a separate attachment to the application.
  • Minimum requirements must be met at the time of filing.
  • The work experience portion of your application profile should account for all employment within the last 10 years, including your current or most recent position.  Include U.S. Military Service, self-employment, and relevant unpaid volunteer work.

Incomplete application materials, false statements, omission of a material fact, or partial information will result in disqualification.
 
The Court reserves the right to modify the selection/examination process at its discretion.  

If you submit multiple applications, ONLY your most recent application and attachments will be considered.
 
All correspondence regarding the selection process is sent via email.  You are responsible for checking your email account on a regular basis to find out the status of your application.

A qualifications appraisal committee will review applications and requested materials, and only the best-qualified candidates will be invited to interview for this position.  Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process.  

Shasta County Superior Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities by informing

 Human Resources in writing or by telephone at the time of application.