Judicial Assistant

Are you ready to take your career in the legal field to the next level? If you have a passion for the law and a keen eye for detail, we invite you to join our dynamic team as a Full-Time Judicial Assistant/Paralegal. In this pivotal role, you will play a crucial part in supporting our judiciary and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our Judges' Office.

As a Judicial Assistant/Paralegal, you will be providing essential support that enables our judges to perform their duties effectively. You will be entrusted with conducting thorough legal research, preparing accurate and comprehensive legal documents, and managing the caseloads of our judges to facilitate timely and fair judicial proceedings. Your role will also involve coordinating schedules and overseeing various administrative functions that are vital to the daily operations of the Judges' Office.

Working under the limited supervision of a Judge, you will have the opportunity to exercise your initiative, organizational skills, and ability to work independently. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a structured yet dynamic environment and is eager to contribute to the administration of justice.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work: Contribute to the justice system by supporting our judges in their critical role.
• Professional Growth: Expand your legal knowledge and administrative skills in a challenging and rewarding environment.
• Collaborative Team: Be part of a dedicated team that values precision, integrity, and teamwork.

If you are a motivated and detail-oriented professional with a passion for the legal field, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Your expertise and dedication will help us continue to deliver exceptional judicial services to our community.

Apply Now:

Take the next step in your career and make a difference in our legal system. Submit your application today and join us as a Full-Time Judicial Assistant/Paralegal.

Recruitment Timeline

Application Deadline: Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM

Application Review: August 11 – August 15

Candidate Notifications (Interview Invites): By Friday, August 15

In-Person Interviews:

• The week of August 18

Anticipated Start Date (dependent on candidate availability):

• Monday, September 15

• Monday, September 29

Primary Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and which are essential for this position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Performs legal research including identifying issues; analyzing and applying State and Federal statutes and case law to determine the appropriate legal standard.
• Compose orders, decisions, policies, warrants, memoranda and other legal documents in compliance with State and Federal statutes, Supreme Court and local rules, ordinances and applicable case law.
• Manages and oversees judges’ caseloads.
• Collaborates with Judges and Clerk of Courts to prepare and implement local court rules and policies to ensure compliance with state, district and local rules, statutes and ordinances.
• Coordinates and manages Judges’ Office administrative matters; develops and implements policies and goals for the Judges Office.
• Manages Judges calendars in state computer system and Judicial Dashboard; updates/trains judges on system.
• Manages law books and online legal research contract; schedules judicial education, meetings and weddings.
• Interprets and prepares jury instructions and verdict form for jury trials.
• Monitors division budget, orders supplies, processes invoices, prepares budget reports and submits time cards.
• Coordinates out-of-county cases assigned to Dunn County judges.
• Conducts civil scheduling conferences with attorneys and pro se litigants; prepares orders.
• Directs conference calls for court proceedings; manages inquiries from attorneys, litigants and citizens.
• Coordinates coverage of Circuit Court Judges, Court Commissioners and Court Reporters with District Administrator Office; provides assistance to visiting judges.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level/type, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s degree in Paralegal or related field
• Two (2) years of work experience as a paralegal or related field.

• Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• Thorough knowledge of related industry, organization and department policies, practices and procedures; legal guide, best practices, ordinance and laws.

• Thorough knowledge of State and Federal Statutes and case law.
• Thorough knowledge of local courts rules.
• Thorough knowledge of conducting legal research and preparing legal documents.

• Thorough knowledge of standard office equipment, standard office and accounting software and courtroom technology and court and judicial software.
• Ability to make mathematic computations, compute rates, ratios and percentages.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, court personnel, attorneys, law enforcement, co-workers and the general public.
• Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures including those pertaining to confidentiality.

• Ability to prioritize and organize job assignments.

• Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and community members in written and verbal form. 
• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

• Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical effort will typically require infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Work continuously requires speaking or hearing; frequently requires sitting and reaching with hands and arms; occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing or balancing. 
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work has minimal environmental risks.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, moderate traffic). 

• Work is primarily in an office setting.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dunn County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge that you have read our job posting in its entirety and meet the basic requirements outlined above. Dunn County looks forward to reviewing your application.