Administrative Associate

Overview Calling all legal assistants! Come join an organization that supports you to learn, grow and develop and provides the opportunity to bring your whole self to work.
This opportunity is a confidential support position in the Mediation and Family Court Services office (MFCS), to perform a variety of skilled office functions, including maintaining case records, preparing materials for various events, conducting records searches, and maintaining schedules and calendars.
The ideal candidate will have education and experience in the legal field as well as the ability to work independently and with great attention to detail.
La Crosse County leaders are committed to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.
We are also dedicated to your learning and development to grow in an organization that is deep in talent.
This is a full-time position working Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.
Wage range: $17.
74 - $21.
17 - Starting pay will depend on qualifications.
Associate Experience – What’s In It For You? Supportive, collaborative, inclusive, and diverse workforce.
Career learning, development, and growth opportunities.
Culture of respect and dignity, teamwork, honesty, and integrity.
Serving your community in a purposeful and meaningful way.
Flexibility with generous paid time-off benefits.
Excellent benefits: ••Wisconsin Retirement System - Very stable and strong ••Health Insurance with options for free care ••Dental Insurance with many services covered at 100% ••Life Insurance with short and long-term disability We will be accepting applications until the right person is hired.
La Crosse County Respects Diversity Essential Job Functions Demonstrates self-leadership, seeks out opportunities for personal growth and development, accepts feedback and demonstrates ability to learn and apply.
Shares ideas and demonstrates respect, humility, honesty, and open-minded thinking.
Demonstrates flexibility, acceptance of change and emotional intelligence.
Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to think critically and strategically.
Participates as a contributing member of the team and brings authentic self to discussions regarding all aspects of the work.
Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective relationships.
Acts as division receptionist, responds to phone calls, web inquiries, email inquiries and office visits; confirms payment of mediation fees.
Maintains general email box; correspond or forward incoming emails appropriately.
Routes in-coming and out-going mail.
Creates, maintains and tracks case files from referral to closure (opening physical and electronic file, scheduling sessions, scheduling letters, updating data, tracking sessions, documenting client communication, closing letter to clients, attorneys and court as necessary, collecting data for statistical reports, etc.
) in a secure, reliable and consistent manner.
Prepares and assembles materials and documents for meetings, presentations, court appearances, and discovery requests.
Conducts records searches for domestic abuse history, bond restrictions, harassment injunctions and/or restraining orders and obtains records as needed for files.
Schedules CAT pretrials in coordination with court staff and related participants, prepares and submits intake documents to attorneys and parent packets to parties, and schedules subsequent CAT meetings in coordination with staff, clients and related parties.
Assists director in keeping calendar for scheduling of meetings, presentations and court appearances, and in preparing materials for such events.
Performs routine and advanced word processing functions with above-average proficiency; drafts, proofreads and corrects prepared materials, reports and correspondence for correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, syntax and content for MFCS staff, and organizes and provides materials to clients, mediators, evaluators and stakeholders.
Obtains documents and records from schools, medical and behavioral health providers, law enforcement, employers and Child Protective Services agencies as needed for custody assessments and stepparent adoption screenings and forwards such records to the appropriate custody assessment team members in accordance with the county's encrypted email system.
Maintains statistical records and prepares reports as needed from that data.
Collects, compiles, and analyzes all post mediation case surveys to assist in the development of reports and assessment of the outcomes of mediation services.
Prepares reports as requested by director.
Enters information into the New World System timely to create invoices for office supplies and other costs, to pay fees owed to presenters for the Families First program, to reconcile Wells Fargo statements on the commercial Wells Fargo site, to compile receipts and allocate charges to appropriate funds in the budget, to prepare and reconcile travel and mileage expenses and prepare documents necessary for expense reimbursement for MFCS staff, and to collect stepparent adoption screening fees and deposit with county treasurer.
Educates potential clients regarding services provided by Mediation and Family Court Services and procedure for accessing same and ensure that resource information is appropriately stocked in brochure holders.
Provides administrative clerical support such as assisting with budget preparation, ordering and maintaining office supplies, and assisting with hospitality needs.
Performs general administrative duties such as filing, photocopying, faxing, scanning, mailing, and scheduling of MFCS conference room.
Attends meetings and types and maintains minutes.
Participates collaboratively as a MFCS staff member with MFCS team and stakeholders.
Represents MFCS in a positive and professional manner with staff, clients, court staff, stakeholders and the community.
Maintains strict confidentiality of work-related matters.
This is a public service position, and employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients.
Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities •Knowledge of mediation-related functions, stepparent adoption screenings and custody assessments, familiarity with Wisconsin law as it relates to these services including confidentiality and protection of sensitive client information, and knowledge of the family court system and secretarial practices.
•Skills in time management, customer service, information management, and familiarity with computer software such as Excel to prepare statistical reports and analysis.
•Considerable knowledge of and proficiency with modern office methods, machines and procedures, including Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint and Office 365; and programs integral to MFCS functions such as New World Systems, Kronos and Consolidated Court Automation Program, also known as Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA); ability to accurately input access and retrieve information from a computerized system.
•Ability to give instructions to the public in a clear and concise manner, articulate the benefits of mediation services, describe the policies and practices of Mediation and Family Court Services, handle common case-related challenges effectively and in a professional manner, and build a professional rapport with others.
•Ability to be highly self-motivated and manage multiple projects concurrently.
•High proficiency in written and verbal communications.
•Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
•Considerable knowledge of business English, grammar, punctuation and spelling and ability to set up and draft correspondence.
•Ability to transcribe and enter data accurately and efficiently.
•Ability to work with minimal supervision and using independent judgment.
•Ability to work with confidential matters and keep confidentiality.
•Strong interpersonal skills.
•Ability to multi-task and prioritize and work in a fast-paced office setting.
Training, Experience and Other Requirements •Associate Degree as Legal Secretary, Administrative Secretary or Paralegal.
•Two years' experience as legal secretary or responsible office experience, with preference for experience in law or legal services.
•Proficiency using personal computers and advanced functions of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, Shared Calendars, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Office 365 and Excel); and familiarity with programs such as New World Systems, Kronos and WCCA.
•May consider other relevant combinations of education and experience that provide equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Employees in this class are offered a comprehensive benefit package including:~Health Insurance~Dental Insurance~Life Insurance~Wisconsin Retirement System~Vacation~Sick Leave~Holidays~Deferred Compensation~Section 125 - Flexible Spending AccountFor a more detailed overview of each of these benefits