POSITION SUMMARY:

This position performs legal research work reviewing and creating legal documents that include but are not limited to letters, memoranda, Orders, Motions, Briefs, Subpoenas, Court Exhibits, and Certificates of Service. The position prepares the files for Dependency Court hearings, Termination of Parental Rights hearings, and prepares all legal documents for appeals to the Pennsylvania Superior Court and Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  Provides administrative functions, routine file creation and maintenance, answering of phones, and receiving and responding to correspondence. This position assists in the development and creation of new legal forms used both internally and externally for Court users in compliance with current policies, procedures, and case law. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment to handle routine and non-routine duties and prioritizes the workload.  Advanced organizational skills are necessary.  Although work is performed under the general supervision of the Attorneys, most of the work is performed independently.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions:

• Reviews and creates legal documents in accordance with current policy, procedures and caselaw such as letters, memoranda, statistical reports, Orders, Motions, Briefs, Subpoenas, Court Exhibits, Certificates of Service, and other legal documents.
• Reviews and creates Briefs and other legal documents for filing appeals to the Pennsylvania Superior Court and Pennsylvania Supreme Court in compliance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure.
• Reviews and prepares files for Dependency Court and termination of Parental Rights hearings in a timely and complete manner.
• Maintains organizational files and records.
• Maintains an electronic calendar of court hearings for all Attorneys.
• Researches the Protection from Abuse Database (PFAD) and the Common Pleas Case Management System (CPCMS) among other relevant statewide systems to check for PFA or criminal involvement for parties involved with the Juvenile Court hearings.
• Develops and creates new forms to collect data and to make the office more efficient.
• Responds to oral and written communications.
• Receives incoming mail and reports, researches those documents to identify parties/cases to correctly process and distribute the documents to the Attorneys.
• Sets up appointments for the Attorneys with children, CYS caseworkers/supervisors, service providers, parents, foster parents, and other Attorneys.
• Maintains knowledge on Dependency, Orphan's and Appellate Court caselaw, rules, policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate degree preferred. Paralegal certificate, highly preferred.
• A minimum of three (3) years' experience in legal administration, office practice and management including working with various types of computer applications and the program analysis of statistical and quantitative data.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the laws and rules for Juvenile Dependency, Orphan's, and Appellate Court cases.
• Advanced knowledge of general office methods, practices and procedures and the ability to make accurate arithmetical calculations.
• Ability to deal effectively with the public and multiple Court and County Departments.
• Ability to independently organize and prioritize work and make sound judgments.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to operate standard office machines including a computer, multi-line telephone, copier, facsimile machine, and shredder.
• Ability to use Word, Excel, Power Point, the Protection from Abuse Database (PFAD) and CPCMS 
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.  Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds a distance of 15 feet or less.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Normal office environment.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.