The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agencys HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711.
Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race color national origin religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth age physical or mental disability genetic information marital status creed political beliefs or affiliation veteran status military service retaliation or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.
To be considered for OPD positions applicants must complete and submit their application online as well as upload any required application materials.
Our Mission
To Provide the Most Compassionate and Expert Defense of Clients and the Constitution
Our Vision
Creating Expert Teams of Advocates for Justice Bringing Respect and Dignity to our Clients to Achieve Holistic and Equitable Outcomes
Reasons to work for the Office of the Public Defender:Our work changes lives!The work OPD does makes a difference for the people in our communities.Public Defenders work for their clients protect constitutional rights and ensure the system remains fair. We are proud of the work we do to find out more about OPD visit our websiteHERE.
Benefits of working for OPD:The ability toworkandplayin thebeautiful state of Montanais one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity!Montana offers theaters museums fairs rodeos a highquality educational system and many recreational opportunities. Montanas mountains rivers and lakes provide yearround opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing hiking camping boating biking hunting skiing and snowmobiling can be accessed throughout our great state.
Other fantastic benefits include:
- Health Coverage
- Retirement plans
- Paid vacation sick leave and Holidays
- Work/life balance
- Flexible schedules
- Opportunities and room for professional growth
- Telework (when applicable)
- Public Service Loan ForgivenessEmployment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness clickHEREto learn more!
Materials Required of Applicants:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- References:Please provide contact information for 2 current or former supervisors and 1 professional peer.
- Supplemental questions (if applicable)
About this Opportunity!
Job Overview:
The Administrative AssistantOffice Manager is instrumental in ensuring the effective operations of Public Defender offices by performing a variety of high level administrative supervision and office management activities. This positions responsibilities are to provide leadership and guidance in the areas of data input and maintaining files providing correspondence assisting clients and office staff with information requests and that all court requirements are met throughout the designated location. This position provides exceptional customer services to all clients courts and internal customers in support of Public Defender Offices. The Administrative Assistant Office Manager works closely with the Regional Deputy Public Defender Managing Attorney and Administrative Specialist Supervisor and directly supervises support staff.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities):
A. Administrative Assistance/Office Management 75
- Manages and provides information regarding requests from clients courts and office staff.
- Creates reviews and maintains court calendars and provides complete and factual court calendars to appropriate parties and makes sure attorneys are notified.
- Formats drafts prepares a wide variety of time sensitive and official legal documents such as eligibility related letters legal pleadings affidavits warrants motions and orders summonses subpoenas correspondence briefs complaints appeals and pretrial agreements stipulations finding of facts judgments dismissals and related documents in criminal cases and other public defender cases in accordance with instructions established in policies and procedures.
- Reads and analyzes incoming correspondence faxes email memos submissions and reports to determine their significance and plan their distribution.
- Reviews and distributes mail includes mailing fax or arranging delivery of legal correspondence to clients witnesses and court officials.
- Prepares open cases and submits referrals to the Conflict Defender Office.
- Establish and maintain case files and ensures that such files are complete up to date and in proper format and order for criminal dependent neglect involuntary commitment guardianship and juvenile cases; retrieves legal documents records and reports.
- Inputs data into Case Management System concerning all clients case information runs reports from the OPD Case Management System; Scans or copies correspondence documents evidence and other printed material and enters into Case Management System.
- Arranges meetings conferences and schedules appointments for clients staff and management Coordinates office functions with other state and local government offices.
- Reviews inventory and prepares invoices reports memos letters financial statements and other routine documents and inquiries.
- Maintains filing system and records for criminal dependent neglect involuntary commitment guardship and juvenile cases opens files closes files and ensures proper filing documents.
- Assists attorneys in collecting information such as employment medical and other records.
- Provides various administrative services to management staff and clients such as order placement office billing or case information.
- Proofread documents records or other files to ensure accuracy.
- Receives resolves and/or refers complaints to appropriate individuals and is the point of contact for questions regarding document dissemination and discovery.
- Schedules and attends legal meetings such as client interviews or depositions and take notes during meetings or conferences.
- Manages attorney calendars to ensure that deadlines are not missed by keeping a record of the deadlines imposed on staff and contract attorneys.
- Coordinates central office activities regarding financial information and case weighting.
- Assist with legal research and preparing related reports as necessary or requested.
- Communicates and coordinates activities with contract legal counsel.
- Responsible for closing cases pursuant to OPD policy and managing document/file destruction per policy or statute.
- Works closely with the Regional Deputy Public Defender Managing Attorney and Administrative Specialist Supervisor to ensure effective operations and that cases are evenly distributed throughout the office.
B. Supervision 20
- Perform supervisory functions including hiring firing performance management discipline work distribution employee development.
- Train employees in the practices policies and procedures of the office.
- Provide employees with guidance when handling difficult or complex problems or when resolving escalated complaints or disputes.
- Make recommendations to management concerning issues staffing decisions and procedural changes.
Other Duties as Assigned 5
Physical and Environmental Demands: Fast paced office environment where sitting utilizing a computer telephone system and other office equipment will be common. This position may also have a high level of contact with the public. Minimal travel may be required approximately 510 of the time.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):
Required for the first day of work:
- Knowledge of office administrative processes and procedures.
- Knowledge of bookkeeping and recordkeeping.
- Effective written and oral communication skills.
- Professional customer service skills.
- Must have the ability to supervise and lead others.
- Ability to operate personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete essential functions including using spreadsheets word processing database email internet and other computer programs.
- Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
- Ability to plan organize and gather information.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to maintain confidential information.
- Ability to accurately track numerous details simultaneously.
- Ability to perform tasks with accuracy while under pressure of strict deadlines.
- Ability to act with initiative good judgment and tact often in stressful situations.
- Must have the ability to comprehend draft and prepare a variety of documents.