ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT II - READER (PUBLIC DEFENDER) AFSCME 3696

Performs a variety of highly skilled and responsible tasks, primarily of an administrative nature, in connection with assisting visually-impaired Assistant Public Defender with all aspects of legal representation to clients. Travels with and physically escorts visually-impaired Assistant Public Defender to job-related activities. Handles a wide variety of duties and assignments which assist the visually impaired Public Defenders in providing zealous legal representation to clients. Prepares daily briefing about cases scheduled for the day. Performs daily file maintenance and recording of written summaries of case events on file logs. Provides written documentation of all work done regarding a particular case such as court appointment, research, interviews, jail visits, document preparation, and court appearances.
Location: 2650 S. California Ave., Chicago
Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's of Science degree (Must provide original college/university transcript at time of interview)* AND two (2) years of full-time work experience as a legal assistant is Required.

-OR-

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree (Must provide original college/university transcript at time of interview)* AND one (1) year of completed law school education from an accredited law school is Required.

• Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics: Knowledge of legal and courtroom procedures and ability to perform a variety of tasks as indicated herein. Knowledge of various PC software applications. Ability to use a computer pursuant to preparing and proofreading official case-related documentation and retrieving and responding to e-mail messages. Knowledge of correct business, legal and/or other technical language usage, punctuation and grammar and their proper application to legal forms, letters and records. Ability to prepare statistics, tabulate daily cases and dispositions. Ability to analyze information about a case and make copies of relevant documents. Ability to communicate effectively with clients, attorneys and a wide variety of individuals of diverse background and education. Ability to read aloud various documents such as transcripts, common law records and reports of proceedings. Ability to read, comprehend, and compose various documents and records; ability to conduct research and effectively compile, assemble and relate the contents thereof. Ability to coordinate referrals, and complete forms and judicial orders to obtain professional services. Ability to perform daily file maintenance. Skill in the operation of standard office equipment, including a tape recorder. Ability to physically escort visually-impaired Assistant Public Defender to courtrooms, interview rooms, lockups, jails and all other facilities, as may be needed. Ability to assist in the conduct of street investigations. This position requires travel throughout Cook County for which the employee is required to provide their own adequate means of transportation.
Physical requirements Light Work Light Work involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job/occupation is rated Light Work when it requires: (1) walking or standing to a significant degree; (2) sitting most of the time while pushing or pulling arm or leg controls; or (3) working at a production rate pace while constantly pushing or pulling materials even though the weight of the materials is negligible.
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current County employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).
COOK COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
NOTE: As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules.