Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant

Salary

$25.59 - $27.13 Hourly

Location

Attorney/Victim Witness- 502 S. 19th Ave, Suite 102, MT

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

00866

Department

County Attorney

Opening Date

07/17/2026

• Description
• Benefits

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Legal Assistant provides clerical, administrative, and legal support to the Gallatin County Attorney's Office. Responsibilities include maintaining case files, preparing and processing legal documents, assisting with discovery, data entry, and records management, and serving as a point of contact for the public, law enforcement, and other agencies. The position supports attorneys and staff across multiple divisions, including criminal, civil, juvenile, guardianship, and involuntary commitment cases, and assists with both routine and urgent office activities.

The position reports to the County Attorney and does not directly supervise other County personnel.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Case and Legal Support

• Open, maintain, and perform data entry for misdemeanor, felony, dependent neglect, juvenile, guardianship, and involuntary commitment files.
• Draft basic pleadings, motions, orders, discovery documents, and receipts.
• Prepare, scan, bate-stamp, and file discovery materials into the ProsecutorbyKarpel system.
• Pull and process case files before and after court proceedings.
• Process minutes and orders from the District Court Clerk and distribute to attorneys and support staff.
• Prepare monthly felony case statistics (new cases, post-convictions, fugitive complaints, probation violations).
• Handle administrative aspects of cases, including scheduling witness interviews, testimony, and transportation.
• Request and compile legal records from outside agencies (e.g., law enforcement, DMV, 911).
• Process and log bad checks, including issuing warning letters, receiving/disbursing payments, and preparing deposits.
• Handle confidential criminal justice information (CCJI) cases, including opening files, drafting responses, and filing with the Court.

Civil Division and Administrative Duties

• Open and close files for the Civil Division.
• Review subdivision plat documents for completeness and correspond with landowners and representatives regarding approval.
• Open, scan, and log all incoming mail into the paperless filing system.
• Prepare, process, and approve claims in the ERP system.
• Run reports such as expenditure detail reports and case activity summaries.
• Enter payroll timesheets into the ERP system.
• Maintain office filing systems for correspondence, court filings, legal records, contracts, and confidential materials.
• Order office supplies and legal resources as needed.
• Coordinate with IT and Facilities Departments for technology and building maintenance support.
• Administer and serve as liaison for ProsecutorbyKarpel software, including vendor support and updates.

Public and Office Support

• Serve as first point of contact for the office; respond to routine in-person, phone, and email inquiries.
• Greet and assist walk-in visitors, law enforcement, and the public, including handling discovery pick-ups.
• Answer phones, route calls, and respond to routine questions.
• Copy, fax, sort, and distribute incoming and outgoing mail.
• Draft and edit correspondence, memos, and routine reports for attorney review.
• Maintain confidentiality according to established guidelines and resolve issues collaboratively.
• Notarize legal documents as required (approximately 5-10 per day).

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform additional duties as directed by the County Attorney or Deputy Attorneys, including coordinating special projects, assisting with training, or attending meetings and continuing education.
• In the event of a declared emergency or disaster (e.g., earthquake, fire, flood, riot), provide services during response, assessment, and recovery periods as required by the County.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• State and local statutes, rules, and legal procedures.
• Legal terminology, court filings, and document preparation.
• County government operations and administrative practices.
• Records management methods, including electronic and manual filing systems.
• Office software and technology, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, ERP systems, and legal database applications.

Skill in:

• Preparing and processing legal documents with accuracy and timeliness.
• Operating legal case management and database systems (e.g., ProsecutorbyKarpel, FullCourt).
• Organizing and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Providing excellent customer service with professionalism and tact.

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply legal and administrative procedures consistently.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive and criminal justice information.
• Exercise sound judgment in handling routine and complex inquiries.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, staff, law enforcement, and the public.
• Remain calm and professional when dealing with hostile or upset individuals.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• Completion of a work-related vocational program (e.g., paralegal or related field); and
• One to two (1-2) years of job-related work experience in legal, administrative, or clerical support.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Licenses and Certifications: Applicants for this position must possess a valid drivers license issued by the state of Montana, provide own transportation to conduct out of office job duties (mileage reimbursement provided under the County policy), and to be insurable under the Countys liability policies.

As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background check.

Please be prepared to attach the following documents when you submit your application materials:

• cover letter
• resume
• three work references.

Gallatin County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment on the basis of merit and qualifications without regard to race, creed, religion, color, or national origin or because of age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or sex when the reasonable demands of the position do not require an age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or sex distinction.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• Individual health benefits premium is paid at 100% for full-time employees and pro-rated based on hours worked for part-time employees
• Includes limited vision and dental coverage (Dental is provided by MetLife and includes a dental buy-up option)
• Dependent health benefits premium is offered at very low costs
• Coverage is effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment
• Talkspace: In-Network behavioral health support through virtual counseling & psychiatry
• Optional Supplemental Coverage is offered through Mutual of Omaha including Voluntary Accident Policy, Voluntary Critical Illness Policy and Voluntary Life Insurance Policy (also available for dependents)
• FREE unlimited access and care to PMR Clinic East. This is a private Clinic and is available to all employees and family members who are enrolled in our health benefits.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS: Optional pre-tax, out-of-pocket medical expenses & day care expenses

COUNTY PAID LIFE INSURANCE: $50,000 Group Life Insurance Policy (eligible employees only) (age reductions apply)

COUNTY PAID LONG TERM DISABLITY INSURANCE: Eligible employees only, benefit duration shortens once a specific age is reached

RETIREMENT:

• County employees are covered by the Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS)
• County Deputies and Detention Officers are covered by the Sheriff's Retirement System (SRS)
• An optional supplemental 457 deferred compensation plan/ROTH is available through Empower and Nationwide

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE:

• Eligible employees are offered a maximum of six weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave for the bonding and care of a newborn child or adoption of a child

SICK AND VACATION LEAVE:

• Employees accrue 12 sick days and 3 weeks of vacation per year, depending on years of service. (Hours are pro-rated for part-time employees)
• Leave starts accruing on an employee's date of hire and can be used as soon as time is in the books.

HOLIDAYS:

• The County observes 11 legal holidays in even numbered years (Federal Election Day) and 10 legal holidays in odd numbered years.
• A Floating Holiday is available to eligible employees after six months.

HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIPS: Discounted rates are offered at participating clubs with payroll deduction.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

• Offers a confidential counseling hotline and up to six sessions with a Licensed Professional Counselor at no cost to the employee. This program is also available to dependents.

WORLDWIDE TRAVEL EMERGENCY PROGRAM AND WILL & LEGAL PREPARATION SERVICES:

• Limited 24/7 services anywhere in the world
• Will and limited legal service

TUITION ASSISTANCE:

• The County offers partial reimbursement of qualifying tuition expenses

BILINGUAL PAY:

• Gallatin County allows for bilingual pay to employees that provide translation services to County departments and offices. The bilingual pay allows for extra compensation to employees that provide this service.

Employer Gallatin County

Address 311 W. Main

Room 303

Bozeman, Montana, 59715

Phone 406-582-3045

Website http://www.gallatin.mt.gov