Legal Clerical Assistant

Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana’s communities every day.

Salary:

The starting salary for this position is $25,766 annually.

About the Department of Child Services:

Mission: The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments. We consider the needs and values of all we serve in our efforts to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible.

Vision: Children will live in safe, healthy and supportive families and communities.

Values: We at the Indiana Department of Child Services empower our team, in collaboration with state and local partners, to make decisions in the best interest of every child in our care by embracing:

• Respect for all
• Racial justice
• Diversity and inclusion
• A culture of safety
• A commitment to continuous improvement

The Legal Assistant works in a local office of the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and provides legal administrative and clerical support services to local office staff attorney(s).

• Maintains a variety of legal files, updates case files as new material is collected, ensures that information is kept organized and that all necessary case documentation is contained therein;
• Prepares routine legal and court documents, such as pleadings, motions and discoveries;
• Schedules hearing dates and sites, communicating directly with involved parties;
• Obtains required reports and case documents from clients;
• Receives and responds to routine requests for subpoenas and other pre-hearing documents by directing the preparation and processing of requested documents;
• Receives and responds to routine inquiries from attorneys regarding current hearings;
• Provides clerical assistance at depositions and hearings by taking notes, providing follow-up questions to attorneys and keeping track of documents;
• Maintain legal files and case information;
• Communicates with agency staff for the purposes of coordinating case, trial, and/or hearing information;
• May travel to hearings sites to set up site, materials and/or equipment;
• Performs other administrative tasks for section/division;
• May supervise clerical staff, ensuring that routine mailings such as notices of pre-hearing conferences, continuances, etc., are accomplished in a timely fashion;
• Performs other related duties as required.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Knowledge of clerical procedures involved in the gathering and compiling of statistical data or the preparation of reports;
• Basic knowledge of casework methods, practices and procedures;
• Working knowledge of computer software systems and data entry procedures;
• Knowledge of child welfare and social work terminology and documentation;
• General knowledge of established social work principles and theories including social psychology, family relations, human behavior and motivation;
• General knowledge of federal and state regulations and policies related to child welfare;
• Knowledge of agency policies and procedures;
• Working knowledge of the agency’s programs and current issues;
• Ability to organize caseloads and work to set priorities in order to meet the case and client needs;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Working knowledge of community resources, both public and private;
• Ability to draft and develop routine case related forms, reports, and correspondence;
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing or verbally;
• Ability to use tact and empathy in dealing with clients and local office visitors and answering telephone calls;
• Proficient in English grammar and composition;

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) and vision/dental coverages
• Wellness program (offers premiums discount for the medical plan)
• Health savings account (includes bi-weekly state contribution)
• Deferred compensation account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Paid vacation, personal and sick time off
• Competitive leave policies covering a variety of employee needs
• 12 company paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• New Parent Leave
• Free Parking
• Free LinkedIn Learning

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer