Entry Level Legal Assistant Jobs in Springfield, IL

Official Title: Child Support Processor - Hampden Probate & Family Court

Pay Grade: Grade 7S

Salary Range: 7S Entry Level Pay $47,632.26 to Pay Range Maximum $64,638.60

Starting Pay: $47,632.26

Salary Notes: This position is designated as a Union position. All new hires must start at the entry level rate for this role per the collective bargaining agreement/MOA with OPEIU, Local 6. Pay may advance within the salary band according to the CBA/MOU.

Departmental Mission Statement: To deliver timely justice to the public by providing equal access to a fair, equitable, and efficient forum to resolve family and probate legal matters and to and assist and protect all individuals, families, and children in an impartial and respectful manner.

Position Summary: Responsible for the administration of child support dockets and records, and providing administrative support for judicial proceedings related to the establishment and  enforcement of court orders pertaining to divorce, separation, paternity, abuse prevention  and other matters involving minor children within the Probate and Family Court  Department. Receives, examines and processes a variety of legal documents in support  of court operations. Provides information about cases and court procedures.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of the Department Head or their designee.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Distributes case related forms and assists attorneys and court users with proper completion of these documents.
Receives and directs phone calls or Virtual Registry inquiries. Responds to standard requests for information concerning cases, scheduling, and court procedures, providing information strictly in compliance with confidentiality rights.
Responds to requests for copy orders of judgments and case materials, mailing these documents to court users.
Provides customer service in paternity and child support cases to attorneys, litigants, law enforcement personnel and the general public.
Distributes the Child Support Case Intake Form; Child Support Services Application Form; divorce, separate support, and annulment forms to parties in child support and other domestic matters.
Processes cases, including scanning documents, docketing, scheduling motions, and preparing summonses.
Handles incoming and outgoing mail for the Registry of Probate. Intakes court documents sent by mail. Organizes mail, pulls files for necessary cases, and returns files back to file room after docketing or processing.
Dockets all complaints, judgments, orders, income assignments, and actions taken by the Court on the hearing date.
Copies, files, retrieves and sorts court papers, documents and folders according to established procedures.
Performs more complex case processing functions as needed, including reviewing court documents, papers, and filings for accuracy and completeness and determining to process required prior to entering them in the permanent record, identifying inaccuracies and or discrepancies, and taking action to resolve such inaccuracies or discrepancies within established guidelines, or referring unusual problems to a supervisor. Assists in the training of new employees and in the ongoing training of other employees in child support matters.
Responds to unusual and complicated requests for information concerning cases, scheduling and court procedures.
Serves as a liaison between the Registry and the Department of Revenue (DOR) on child support matters before the court, This may include but is not limited to processing orders and electronically transmitting them to DOR and coordinating the activities and flow of information for hearings in DOR cases.
Performs other duties as required.

Job Competencies: 

Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Mission Driven: Employees are fully committed to fulfilling the Trial Court and associated Departmental missions.

Professional Development: Employees are committed to participating in ongoing Trial Court training and educational offerings to advance their professional development. Managers are equally committed to affording those opportunities to those they supervise as scheduling
permits.

Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both
Trial Court employees and the public.

Applied Knowledge: Demonstrates ability with MS Office other business technologies and can properly support the administration of departmental policies, procedures, and initiatives in a unionized employee environment.

Problem Solving: Accurately assesses common operational problems and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions.

Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Collaboration: Works with others cooperatively, and promotes teamwork, contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience
High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalency
One (1) year of related office and/or customer service work experience
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for
meeting minimum qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:
Modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable
software
Data entry procedures

Skill in:
Organization and time management
Attention to detail
Customer service

Ability to:
Learn departmental and court policies and procedures
Learn Docket codes and legal proceedings
Establish effective working relationships with others
Prepare clear and accurate reports
Maintain appropriate records
Maintain confidentiality of information
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Work independently and follow oral and written instructions

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not require supervision of others.

Working Conditions: Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments.

Physical Demands: Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force
frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly having to move objects.