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Jurisdiction: Schuyler County Jurisdictional Classification: Exempt Revised: April 5, 2005, Updated: June 2, 2011; Updated: November 8, 2017; Updated: November 30, 2021 CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This position involves responsibility for assisting the County Attorney in a wide variety of legal, administrative and other functions. The position involves the performance of a variety of tasks requiring the exercise of a high level of autonomy, independent judgment, and a general understanding of legal procedures and administrative polices. The position will involve the preparation and drafting of legal documents and collection/organization of evidence as well as assisting the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys with trial preparation and related activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Attorney. The position involves interaction with county officials, law enforcement, schools, municipal and community organizations. Significant contacts with external agencies and individuals is required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: • Serves as County Attorney’s primary contact and liaison for assigned functions and programs with other County departments and staff, the Legislature, the general public, and outside agencies and organizations; • Assists in the preparation of pleadings, orders, petitions, motion papers, contracts, resolutions and other legal documents; • Assists County Attorney with contract management and drafting and review of contracts, service agreements, and leases to ensure compliance by departments, contract agencies and vendors; • Prepares, for County Attorney review, deeds and real estate documents for the sale of county foreclosure property, real estate transactions related to the operations of the County Treasurer as Public Administrator and purchase of properties by the County; • Works closely with attorneys in preparing court files and assisting with preparation for court appearances; • Obtains legal reference material when requested; • Prepares and proofreads a wide variety of reports, letters, memoranda, correspondence, statistical charts and presentations using Microsoft Office, Munis and applicable software; • Conducts routine correspondence on matters where policies and procedures have been defined; • Initiates, organizes, maintains, and controls access to complex filing systems and records including highly sensitive files; open, maintain, review for completeness, close, coordinate records retention; • Maintains all legal unit records including case files, work orders, court calendars, and current logging of unit activity; ---PAGE BREAK--- • types, processes, indexes, sorts, records, and maintains confidential and regular correspondence, including affidavits, subpoenas, legal briefs, and other documents necessary for the operations of the County Attorney’s Office; • Proficient in Word, Excel, time-keeping software, internet legal research and related computer operations; • Reception—open mail, answer phone, or greet visitors personally; give or receive information, act on information, or refer as appropriate; • Order office supplies and furniture through purchasing department and prepare vouchers; • Preparation of annual State Audit Report on all claims upon the County. (County Treasurer’s Financial Statements Examinations and Request to County Attorney’s Office Regarding Litigation—preceding year.) Submit to Attorneys for review/revision; • Assists in coordinating, developing, and monitoring the assigned budget including compiling annual budget requests and monitors, under direction of County Attorney, approved budget accounts; • Gather information and prepare reports; Plans and supervises the collection, tabulation and analysis of statistical and financial data; • Maintain logs of documents and acts on same in a timely manner; • Schedules appointments and hearings; • Prepare travel requests, make travel arrangements and prepare vouchers; • Maintain County time system for office employees. • Supervise and train other clerical employees (if applicable); • Perform other duties as assigned by employer; • Keep confidential relation as an extension of the attorney-client privilege; FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: • Thorough knowledge of general legal principles, practices, and procedures; • Thorough knowledge of office procedures, terminology and equipment; • Thorough knowledge of business arithmetic and English; • Ability to handle routine administrative details independently, including the composition of letters and memoranda; • Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions; • Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with the public and other governmental and private agencies; • Ability to operate a personal computer at an acceptable rate of speed; • Ability to perform close, detail work involving considerable visual effort and strain; • Integrity, confidentiality, good judgment; • Physical condition and maturity commensurate with the demands of the position. SUGGESTED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Associates Degree in paralegal studies, business administration, political science, criminal justice or a closely related field AND 2 years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) legal clerical experience; OR 4 years’ work experience described in ---PAGE BREAK--- Any combination of education and experience equal to or greater than that described in and above. NOTES: At least 2 years’ experience working as a legal secretary in a court, county attorney or district attorney’s office is preferred.