Court Service Attorney - Brockton Court Service Center

Official Title: Court Service Attorney - Brockton Court Service Center

Pay Grade: Grade 23S

Salary Range: 23S Entry Level Pay $95,734.86 to Pay Range Maximum $141,098.10

Starting Pay: $95,734.86 

Salary Notes: This position is designated as a Union position. All new hires must start at the entry level rate for this role per the collective bargaining agreement/MOA with OPEIU, Local 6. Pay may advance within the salary band according to the CBA/MOU.

Departmental Mission Statement:

The Office of Access, Diversity and Fairness (OADF) is led by the Chief Access, Diversity and Fairness Officer (CADFO) and is tasked with the overall responsibility for the Massachusetts Trial Court’s policies and practices related to access, fairness, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The following five departments report to and are supervised by the CADFO: the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Office of Access to Justice and the User Experience; Office of Court Services and Law Libraries; Office of Language Access and Court Records; and Office of Alternative/Online Dispute Resolution Programs.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential components of dignified and respectful treatment in the Massachusetts Court system. The creation of OADF reflects the Trial Court’s commitment to ensuring that court-involved individuals, whether they are parties to a case, victims, attorneys, jurors, witnesses, self-represented litigants, visitors, or court employees, are treated with dignity and respect, and are given the information necessary to understand and navigate court systems, policies, and practices. The Office of Language Access and Court Records is responsible for providing language access to interpreters and translators, court records, and trial transcripts that support meaningful access to the administration of justice in the Trial Court. These court access services include directing the operations of the Office of Language Access (OLA), Records Management Centers (RMC), and the Office of Transcription Services (OTS).

The Court Services and Law Libraries Department is responsible for providing key court services to support the administration of justice and advance access to justice in the Trial Court. These services include the Court Service Centers and the Trial Court Law Libraries.

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/court-services-law-libraries-department

Notes: Cover Letter letter inclusion with application preferred.

Position Summary: Assists unrepresented litigants from all Trial Court Departments in navigating the court process by providing legal information on substantive and procedural laws and explanations on how to prepare for court and court processes. Assists unrepresented litigants by informing them of the appropriate courses of action to meet their objectives based on the available options and helps them complete their pleadings and other court forms. Conducts legal research for the benefit of informing litigants. Obtains and provides community resource materials and engages in community outreach. Assists the Court Service Center Manager in supervising and training support staff and interns. Assists with administrative tasks and data collection as needed.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of the Court Service Center Manager.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Assists pro se litigants in navigating the court system, identifying, and offering options to accomplish litigants’ stated goals, and completing the appropriate forms.
• Collaborates with and handles referrals of pro se litigants from Judges/Sessions Clerks, DOR, and Clerks’ Offices.
• Works with other Court Service Centers to streamline delivery of service across Centers, learns about developments in substantive law and procedure, and educates each other about community resources.
• Tracks and inputs data and maintains case files.
• Connects litigants to community resources/support. Gathers resource materials in various languages and makes them available to court visitors. Makes appropriate referrals.
• Maintains inventory of forms. Gathers, drafts, and distributes informational materials for litigants.
• Acts as lead worker. Provides guidance and training to lower- level employees. Reviews work of assigned interns.
• Performs other duties as required.

Job Competencies: 

Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.
Mission Driven: Employees are fully committed to fulfilling the Trial Court and associated Departmental missions.
Professional Development: Employees are committed to participating in ongoing Trial Court training and educational offerings to advance their professional development. Managers are equally committed to affording opportunities to those they supervise as scheduling permits.
Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public. Responsive to the needs of self-represented litigants.
Applied Knowledge: Ability to provide accurate legal information and court assistance for self-represented litigants other members of the public for improving access to justice.
Problem Solving: Accurately can assesses operational and administrative problems in the Court Service Center and develop feasible solutions.
Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Collaboration: Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Minimum Requirements: Education and Experience:
• Law Degree from an accredited college or university
• One (1) year of related work experience
• Massachusetts BAR Membership
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for meeting minimum qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of:
• Modern office equipment and technology including computers and applicable software.
• Departmental and court policies and procedures.
• Legal terminology.
• Community resources and services.
• Substantive and procedural laws in a variety of areas.
Skill in:
• Organization and time management.
• Customer service.
• Leadership.
• Attention to detail.
Ability to:
• Establish effective working relationships with others.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports.
• Maintain appropriate records.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Work independently and follow oral and written instructions.
• Identify and complete court forms to accomplish litigant goals.
• Conduct legal research.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position serves as a lead worker to others.

Working Conditions: Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments.

Physical Demands: This position requires sedentary work:
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.