PARALEGAL

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

PARALEGAL

DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

The Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the role of Paralegal, whose primary duties will include performing a variety of para-professional functions to assist and provide support for attorneys in preparing cases.

Applicants must have critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and accuracy, with the ability to work independently.  The selected candidate must maintain an open and calm demeanor and be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Kenosha County is committed to Diversity, Belonging and Inclusion and is an

Equal Opportunity Employer.

2025 Hiring Range:  $25.15 - $28.58 per hour

Position Summary and Job Duties

• Investigate, review, assess, and draft incoming referrals and determine the appropriate course of action based on the level of the referral; this includes all types of felonies, misdemeanors, criminal traffic, juvenile, and termination of parental rights referrals
• Investigate and review submitted reports which include police reports, victim statements, witness statements, and medical reports
• View and listen to surveillance footage, victim and witness interviews, and recorded evidence, including squad video, body-worn cameras, jail phone calls, defendant interviews, and Child Advocacy Center interviews
• Consult with attorneys, law enforcement officers, and other relevant persons
• Prepare appropriate charging documents and electronically file documents with the Clerk of Circuit Court
• Coordinate with law enforcement to enter referrals into complex office database (Protect) via interfaces; this may include working outside of traditional office hours, i.e. weekends/holidays
• Maintain and update the office database (Protect) as cases progress through the system
• Provide notice of rights, requests for restitution information, and notice of court proceedings to victims of crimes
• Prepare subpoenas for victims and witnesses, then track and file said subpoenas
• Coordinate with Victim/Witness Specialists to ensure compliance with the Victims’ Rights laws, i.e. contacting victims to inform them about the status of court proceedings
• Coordinate communication and scheduling of court hearings and meetings among various agencies, including:  Law Enforcement (local, state and federal), Joint Services, Clerk of Courts Office, Kenosha County Division of Children and Family Services, Medical Examiner’s Office, Probation & Parole, WI State Crime Laboratory and Laboratory of Hygiene, Office of the Governor, hospitals, defense attorneys, and county schools
• Manage and coordinate clerical and legal interns
• Manage media from all county law enforcement agencies on their respective digital platforms
• Train new office staff, which includes attorney staff
• Prepare jury list for distribution to the office
• Monitor specialty courts, i.e. Mental Health Court and Drug Court
• Monitor Deferred Prosecution Agreements and make victim and defendant contacts as necessary
• Create and organize case files for trial preparation
• Intake, process, and disseminate all subsequent law enforcement documents to appropriate personnel
• Monitor DNA sample collections in coordination with the Office of Justice Assistance and the local sheriff
• Coordinate with attorneys and defendants in the resolution of traffic citations prior to the court date
• Appear at District Attorney pre-trial conferences to facilitate defendant’s meetings with prosecutors
• Participate in the hiring process
• Participate in developing and implementing office procedures
• Act as a back-up for the Legal Secretary and Receptionist
• Represent the District Attorney’s Office at multidisciplinary meetings
• Prepare statistical reports
• Transcribe documents of a highly confidential nature, i.e. jail phone calls
• Perform other work as required or assigned

Success Factors

• Knowledge of criminal justice system process, procedures, practices, legal terms, documents, Wisconsin Statutes, and Victims’ Rights laws
• Skill in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Wilenet, and Laserfiche
• Skill in communication, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to organize self and workload to meet schedules and deadlines of the work; work independently and with limited oversight to meet deadlines; follow oral and written instructions; and perform highly detailed work within defined or ambiguous timeframes amidst shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to collect, organize, and evaluate data variety and information, and interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, guidelines, and laws

• Ability to draft and prepare legal papers
• Ability to maintain confidentiality requirements
• Ability to type accurately and type from dictation
• Ability to remain professional and courteous at all times
• Ability to work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• 1-2 years of work and/or formal education in the legal/criminal justice field

Licenses and Certifications

• Paralegal Certificate
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record

Other Job Requirements

• Ability to become and maintain Wisconsin Public Notary
• Ability to access FBI/CIB portals and consent to be fingerprinted
• Ability to work between the hours of Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and
• Ability to work overtime and/or adjust starting/ending times when needed, with or without advance notice
• Access to an insured vehicle for use in the performance of the job

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment, with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off, including volunteer time off after 1 year
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan:  Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes County-paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The position involves frequent light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and occasional lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as office supplies/large files/reading materials
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects
• Physical ability to participate in meetings and visits to other buildings for delivery/set-up of supplies
• Some travel may be required between County facilities

Work Environment and Exposures

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

• The position involves frequently working in an office or similar indoor environment
• Interacting with individuals who are rude or irate and with known violent backgrounds
• Occasionally interacting with individuals in the community (homes, businesses, etc.) and with individuals who may have unknown communicable diseases

Selection Process

• Application Review - Qualifying
• Oral Interview - Qualifying
• Background Investigation - Qualifying
• Drug Screen - Qualifying

If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, March 2, 2025.

To learn more about the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office, please visit:  https://www.kenoshacounty.org/148/District-Attorney

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer.  Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is NE9 (Min. $25.15 – Max. $32.01).

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.