Position Available

General Paralegal – Majoring in Formal Probates and Name Changes

Kennebec County Probate Court

JOB PURPOSE:

Assists the department by providing technical and clerical support for various functions of the Probate Court including Formal Estates.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

Be committed to the mission of the County.
Work as a member of a team in the performance of duties.
Be punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.
Work in harmonious relationships with all county staff and community.
Perform duties in a conscientious, cooperative manner.
Perform required amount of work in a timely fashion with a minimum of errors.
Be neat and maintain a professional appearance.
Possess a valid Driver’s license.
To understand and work within Kennebec County Government Policies and Procedures.
To work collaboratively as a member of a team with various groups of staff depending on the issue addressed.
To accept shared responsibility with other team members to successfully accomplish goal of each team, which he or she is a member.
To assure quality in work performed in order to facilitate the delivery of quality services.
Maintain confidence and protect County by keeping information concerning clients and County Operations confidential.

KEY EXPECTED RESULTS:

Assists the probate court by processing all incoming probate matters including decedents’ estates, guardianships and conservatorships, child support requests; accounts; claims against estates, responding to petitioners’ requests for preparation of Certificate of Authority, copies of documents.
Maintains accurate reports by docketing estate documents and petitions. Maintaining electronic database within Icon system of dates, fees and timeline deadlines. Reproducing reports to ensure upcoming motions and pleadings are brought to the Judges and Registers attention within the legal time limits.
Assists department staff by waiting on customers, providing basic information about estates, guardianships, name changes and adoptions and all other petitions.
Ensures accurate records by assisting with all court work, such as processing court orders, and hearing notices and making sure dates and deadlines are in the Icon system.
Ensures accurate records by attaching all affidavits including service by publication and filing in proper files and docketing same. Making sure publication date timelines are met.
Assists attorneys and/or secretaries by advising them in procedures or answering questions either in person or by phone without giving legal advice.
Assists Register and Deputy Register by tracking time sensitive notices, motions, accounts, bond as well as payment of visitor’s and Guardian ad litem bills in Guardianship and conservatorship cases.
Maintains accurate records using the Electronic filing system slated to begin on May 1, 2013.
Maintains safe and clean work area by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Maintain technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and establishing personal networks.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Demonstrates an understanding of the county’s safety policies and practices by attending required safety programs and reporting all accidents and suspected safety hazards to supervisor.
Fulfills job function by participating as an active member in training, participating on county task forces and performing other responsibilities as assigned.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL STANDARDS NEEDED FOR ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and use hands to finger a standard computer keyboard, use a computer, mouse, typewriter, printer, copier, adding machine and telephone.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must be able to go up and down stairs and the vault ladder.

Data conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (Whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) or data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisors.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary duties.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with persons acing under stress.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS NEEDED FOR POSITION **:

High school diploma or equivalent
College level courses in public administration and paralegal studies highly desirable
Ability to deal effectively with the public and attorneys.
Required to be a notary public within 2 months of hire date.
High degree of accuracy in word processing and computing skills.
Working cooperatively and productively with supervisors and co-workers are an essential function of the job.

** All requirements and skills are considered to be essential, unless otherwise indicated.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of two (2) years responsible paralegal/clerical experience.

REPORTS TO:

Deputy Register of Probate
Register of Probate

SUPERVISES:

None CLICK HERE
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Equal Opportunity Employer