Salary

Hiring Rate: $33.95/hour, Grade 19, Non-Exempt, Teamsters - General Unit

Stearns County Mission: Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All.
Stearns County Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & Equitable

Stearns County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Salary Range: $33.95 - $49.82/hour

Position Objective
To provide professional legal support to attorneys by assisting with the preparation, evaluation, and resolution of adult criminal, civil, juvenile delinquency and child protection cases.  A Paralegal/Victim Coordinator works both independently and collaboratively with fellow Paralegal/Victim Coordinators to efficiently handle all professional support aspects of a case from its inception in the office through resolution and beyond. This position is responsible for obtaining evidence, drafting legal documents and discoverable items, regularly and appropriately communicating with victims and witnesses, locating, subpoenaing, and preparing witnesses for court, and providing materials and data for litigation, case management, grant funding, and in response to data practices requests. 

This Paralegal/Victim Coordinator opening is also responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of juvenile and adult diversion programs. This position is responsible for delivering intervention programming, providing offenders with an alternative to court, and promoting the collection of restitution for victims to reduce the burdens on district courts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.

1. Conducts records searches, reviews law enforcement and victim reports, gathers victim input, and determines diversion eligibility.

2. Notifies clients of diversion intake meetings, conducts individual and group conferences as part of the alternative court process, and informs prosecuting agencies when clients are ineligible or decline to participate.

3. Establishes case plans for clients and secures a written agreement; maintains contact with clients and victims to hold offenders accountable and promote their rehabilitation.

4. Conducts classes or programs required for diversion and maintains attendance records.

5. Monitors completion of all required diversion conditions; follows up with non‑compliant individuals, and reviews client compliance for discharge or revocation decisions, including notifying prosecutors when necessary.

6. Assesses, collects, and processes restitution and diversion fees and prepares required financial reports.

7. Conducts program referrals to outside agencies, reviews incoming assignments and forwards to appropriate agencies.

8. Maintains database, collects and reports statistical data as required by statute and office procedures, and assists in preparing recidivism reports and program effectiveness studies.

9. Responds to public inquiries related to diversion.

10. Collects and secures documents and other case materials for case evaluations, charging, workflow monitoring, and trial preparation.

11. Drafts legal documents for court filing (such as complaints, petitions, memoranda) and prepares discovery materials including evidence summaries and supplemental reports.

12. Maintains professional support staff-level legal understanding of applicable court rules, statutes, and case law to assist attorneys in evaluating evidence and preparing for court.

13. Prepares and delivers training and presentations to law enforcement, legal, human services, and the public regarding case charging, complex investigations, and crime victim and witness issues.

14. Interviews and establishes initial personal lines of communication with victims and witnesses, including conducting appropriate danger assessments, referring victims/witnesses to various community resources by assessing needs, locating options, proposing available choices, and encouraging them to utilize services.

15. Serves as liaison between victims/witnesses/members of the public and assistant county attorneys, law enforcement, corrections, medical, social work and court personnel to convey information and assist in resolving problems related to victims' or witnesses' strong emotional reactions to circumstances, specific treatment plans for offenders, violations of no-contact orders, and court security.

16. Assists in trial preparation by gathering facts and evidence, participating in case analysis interviews, preparing trial exhibits and notebooks, coordinating witness appearances, and supporting litigation from charging through trial, including assisting with logistics such as work leave, travel, lodging, and childcare for victims and witnesses.

17. Prepares and submits applications and reports for local, state, and federal grants; proposes and implements workload efficiencies in a manner preserving high level of customer service; proposes recommendations to enhance programs administered by the County Attorney's Office.

18. Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.

19. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• Bachelor's degree
• Two years of professional work experience in criminology/criminal justice/juvenile justice, law offices (including as a paralegal and/or victim/witness coordinator), law enforcement, probation, victim/witness advocacy or services, social work, state, local, or federal government, or related field
• Reliable means of transportation and the ability to travel to multiple locations around Stearns County, some of which may not be accessible by public transportation
• Ability to comply with Bureau of Criminal Apprehension security requirements
• Experience using a personal computer and Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications

• Working in a city, county or state's attorney's office in Minnesota
• Working with criminal, civil, or juvenile laws and court procedures
• Working with the public in difficult situations
• Locating, collecting, analyzing, and documenting evidence
• Interviewing and communicating with victims and witnesses (including providing information and emotional support)
• Paralegal experience (including drafting legal documents)
• Researching, assembling, organizing, analyzing and presenting statistical, financial, and factual information derived from verbal and written sources
• Reviewing, assembling, organizing, and presenting verbal and written summaries of evidence and documents regarding legal matters
• Timely management of a high-volume workload requiring assignments from multiple sources in a fast-paced work environment with minimal daily direction

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Knowledge of the Minnesota adult criminal, juvenile justice/child protection, and civil court systems.
2. Knowledge of Minnesota legal terminology and procedures, resources, rules and law.
3. Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
4. Knowledge of local, state, court, departmental, community, and law enforcement resources.
5. Skilled in the use of software programs and database tracking systems.
6. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
7. Ability to work with individuals of a diverse background.
8. Ability to organize and prioritize tasks and assignments.
9. Ability to make decisions in compliance with laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and practices.
10. Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
11. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
 

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees

1. Consistently performs job responsibilities with a positive attitude and in a manner consistent with the County’s mission and values.

2. Develops and maintains a respectful and collaborative professional relationship with all County employees and the public we serve.

3. Values and respects the diversity each employee brings to the organization.

4. Develops and maintains knowledge and understanding of all department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.

5. Complies with all rules and policies to maintain a safe work environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
The primary responsibilities for this position will be performed approximately 90% of the time indoors.  Will require frequent in-person and telephone contact with law enforcement, witnesses, and victims, including in the office, at court, and in the field.  May require frequent travel to off-site locations and minimal travel out of state. May require frequent attendance at before or after hour work meetings. Will have infrequent exposure to health hazards and accidents; requires a low level of physical effort. All employees are required to reside within the state of Minnesota. 

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Juvenile Division.

Responsibility for Public Contact
Moderate.
 

Supervision of Others
None.

Hours of Work
This position has a usual work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; may include some evening and weekend hours.

Interview Date
If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be held on a date to be determined. Invitations to interview will be sent to the email address listed on the job application and will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. A job specific background check and/or physical, drug and psychological exam may be required before appointment.

Benefits

To view Stearns County benefits go to: Stearns County Benefits Page

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.