Job Details

Administrative Assistant

The South Carolina Judicial Branch invites applications for the position of Administrative Assistant in Circuit Court located in Columbia, SC. Under direct supervision of the Circuit Court Judge, performs administrative and secretarial duties, which generallyrequires individual discretion in the interpretation and application of office policies and procedures ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION This job bulletin represents general duties for this position and is not intended to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Answers phones, collects and logs all mail, organizes office, drafts forms, maintains files, schedules conference calls, and schedules hearings. Attends and keeps minutes of meeting for committees the Judge participates in.
• Organizes and keeps up with inmate correspondences. Corresponds with attorneys/paralegals. Acts as liaison between Judge and attorneys. Logs all incoming/outgoing orders and attorney protection requests. Keeps records of cases of interest. Reviews incoming orders for errors and logs all ex parte letters from inmates. Logs bench warrants, completes Judge's section of all motion/order cover sheets. Interacts with the Clerk's offices across the state. Collects orders from the Clerk's office and returns upon execution. Collects orders/correspondence from the Clerk's office and Judge's box. Interacts with the Solicitor's Office and Public Defender's Office. Interacts with Probation/Parole Offices.
• Responds to and takes care of all courtroom issues prior to court. Prints any and all documents needed by the Judge or Law Clerk. Organizes Judge's calendar of events. Creates calendars of Judge's traveling and logs all default packages. Completes and submits Judge's travel voucher and MUA reports. Completes and submits annual Judicial Reports. Maintains inventory of all furniture for annual review. Assists Court Administration representative in annual inventory.
• Assists visiting Judges with a variety of needs including, but not limited to: parking, key cards, locations, hotels, restaurants, etc.
• Oversees the application process for new Law Clerk hires. Aids in training Law Clerks and orients new Law Clerk to office procedures. Assists Judge and Law Clerk with computer problems. Interacts with I.T. on both State and County levels.
• When Judge is out of the county, performs all necessary office duties so that the office operates as if the Judge were in.
• All other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• A high school diploma
• 3 years of related administrative/secretarial work experience.
• Computer and word processing experience (ex: Microsoft Office Suite) required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of principles, policies, and practices of office management.
• Knowledge of applicable terminology and research practices.
• Knowledge of grammatical rules, spelling, language usage, and clerical formats.
• Knowledge of bookkeeping practices.
• Ability to effectively plan and organize work activities and prioritize task completion according to schedules and goals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively, both orally and in writing, with Judges, attorneys, and the general public.
• Ability to exercise judgement and discretion in interpreting and applying policies and procedures.
• Punctuality and avoidance of excessive absences required.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)

• Administrative/secretarial experience working in a court environment or legal setting.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children;
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs (Temporary positions have option to enroll);
• 15 days paid annual (vacation) leave per year;
• 15 days paid sick leave per year;
• Option to designate 10 days of earned paid sick leave per year as family sick leave;
• 13 paid state holidays;
• Paid Parental Leave; and
• Workers' Compensation Benefits.

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.