Temporary Self-Help Center Specialist



Temporary Self-Help Center Specialist

Salary

$52,638.48 - $81,724.32 Annually

Location

Minnesota Judicial Center - St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

07646

Department

State Court Administrator's Office

Division

Court Services Division

Opening Date

01/20/2022

Closing Date

2/3/2022 11:59 PM Central

Description


Are you ready for a rewarding career with growth opportunities?  

Are you interested in supporting your communities and making a positive difference in people’s lives?

If so, apply today for a position at the Minnesota Judicial Branch!

At the Minnesota Judicial Branch, our employees are proud of the work that we do and the services that we provide. With over 3,000 employees across the state, we have opportunities for all career levels and interests, whether it be providing customer service to court customers, analyzing financial data, developing innovative technical solutions to improve the court user experience, and more!

 

When you join the Minnesota Judicial Branch, you will gain valuable experience with a progressive organization. The Judicial Branch allows employees to work in a professional and innovative culture defined by our vision, mission, and values, where performance is rewarded. Employees are provided opportunities to grow their knowledge, skills, and abilities to support internal growth and development, allowing everyone the opportunity to succeed and advance in their career.

 

By providing a positive work environment and culture with a competitive total rewards compensation package, the Minnesota Judicial Branch has the career you have been looking for!



The Minnesota Judicial Branch (MJB) is pleased to announce a job opening in our Court Services Division for a Temporary Self-Help Center Specialist with the Judicial Branch’s Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Program.

 

The SRL Program provides legal information to self-represented litigants (SRLs) with legal issues that can be addressed in District Court, pursuant to Minn. Gen. R. Prac. Rule 110. The goals of the SRL Program include increasing access to justice for individuals who cannot afford to hire or who choose not to hire an attorney to represent them and improving the efficiency of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Self-Help Center Specialists work individually and in teams, using independent judgment and available resources to assist SRLs by responding to a variety of SRL questions across different case types. 

 

This is a full-time, temporary position classified as a Self-help Center Specialist and is expected to last through June 30, 2023, with the possibility of being extended. This position will work normal business hours, Monday through Friday. This work will be conducted in a hybrid setting combining remote work and onsite office work at the Hennepin County Government Center Self-Help Center, located in downtown Minneapolis. 

 

The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers a comprehensive benefits package. To learn more about benefits, click here.


Example of Duties

The following are examples of major job duties expected for this position to perform:

 

Acting under the direction of the SRL Program Manager, Supervising Attorneys, and Senior Self-Help Center Specialists,

  • Primarily provide legal information in plain language to SRLs and assess their need for legal advice and representation without providing legal advice in a high volume, fast-paced setting via phone, email, web-based technologies, and occasionally in-person to ensure SRLs' goals are met and questions are answered.
  • Provide information regarding court forms, processes, policies, and procedures; assist SRLs in determining the appropriate forms needed to address individual legal circumstances; assist SRLs in form completion; review court forms prepared by SRLs for completeness, comprehensiveness, and minimum legal standards.
  • Develop self-help center forms and instructions, educational materials, and other resources to meet customer needs.
  • Provide information and assistance to SRLs and other court filers using the court’s electronic filing and electronic service system (eFS).

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of education, training, and work experience which indicates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below will be considered.  

 

Minimum Qualifications:


  • Associate degree in social services, law, criminal justice, court administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
  • One year of experience in a court or legal setting.
  • Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Experience providing effective customer service.
  • Access to a reliable internet connection.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Understanding of court procedures and policies, legal documents and terminology, laws, and court-related legal functions
  • Ability to listen to and interpret the nature of a problem and the relevant context in order to apply knowledge of court practices and processes to address individual court customers’ issues.
  • The ability to simplify legal concepts and terminology to effectively communicate with SRLs, both verbally and in writing.
  • The ability to prioritize work and multitask in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
  • Understanding of the issues confronting people experiencing homelessness, violence, and poverty
  • The ability to work in a diverse, multicultural environment that values relationships and diversity.

Preferred Qualifications:


  • Bachelor's degree or certification as a paralegal through an approved ABA program or through the PACE or CLA/CP certification exam.
  • Two years of legal or court experience.
  • Civil law pleading drafting and/or review experience
  • Experience reading and interpreting legal documents of varying types and complexity and applying knowledge of specific laws, statutes, and rules to individual cases without providing legal advice
  • Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Fluency in a second language, such as Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Oromo, or American Sign Language, is essential.

Supplemental Information

The Minnesota Judicial Branch (MJB) is committed to providing fair and equal access to justice. If you share this same commitment, desire a meaningful career serving the public, and want the opportunity to make a difference for your community, consider a career with us. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and characteristics. Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as an appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB.


SALARY RANGE:  The expected starting salary range for external candidates is $24.48- $31.24 per hour ($51,114- $65,229 annually). The full salary range for this position is $24.48- $38.00 per hour ($51,114- $79,344 annually). This position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for State of MN employee benefits.

 

TO APPLY: Visit www.mncourts.gov.  Complete and submit your online application with resume and cover letter attached by Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.  Employment offers may be rescinded if the required criminal background check identifies job-related convictions.

 

To ensure the health and safety of all judicial officials and employees, the Minnesota Judicial Branch follows recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19 and related mitigation efforts. Effective November 1, 2021, all Minnesota Judicial Branch judicial officers and employees are required to disclose their vaccination status which includes an option, “choose not to disclose.”  Individuals hired following this date will be required to disclose their vaccination status.

 

It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting HR, erick.howatt@courts.state.mn.us.

 

Minnesota Judicial Branch

Human Resources, Rm. G-08

25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

St. Paul, MN 55155

 

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

 

 

The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee.  Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family’s wellbeing.  We also offer many opportunities for your continued career growth through development opportunities, supporting your long-term success at the branch.

We are proud to offer these benefits to compensate our employees for the excellent work they do for the cause of justice in Minnesota.

Our wide-ranging benefits package includes the following components:

Health & Wellness


Medical Insurance 

  • The employee-paid premium for the Minnesota Advantage Health Plan is only $38.50/month for a full-time employee with single coverage, or $262.66 for family coverage
  • Employees can choose from three different carriers: Blue Cross/Blue Shield Minnesota, Health Partners, or Preferred One
  • The rate summaries and the schedule of benefits for the Advantage Health Plan are on the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) site
  • Omada helps employees manage weight loss and reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and Advantage Value for Diabetes, a benefit that reduces out-of-pocket costs for diabetes-related medical treatment
  • Employees may also choose a high-deductible consumer driven health plan
  • Pharmacy benefits provided by CVS Caremark
Dental Insurance Vision Insurance 
  • The employee-paid premium for this plan is only $5.76/month for a full-time employee with single coverage, or $16.54 for family coverag
  • Additional information on vision insurance can be found on the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) site
Pre-Tax Spending Accounts 
  • Contributions to pre-tax accounts are taken from your paycheck before taxes are deducted, and since you pay less in taxes, your net income may be increased.
  • Use pre-tax benefits to pay eligible medical and dental expenses, eligible dependent day care expenses, and transit expenses including parking and bus passes.  Other benefits may vary by location.
Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Short Term Disability
  • Long Term Disability
Paid Sick Leave 
  • Eligible full-time employees accrue sick leave at four hours per two-week pay period
  • Sick leave may be used for purposes such as medical and dental appointments, maternity leave, illness or injury for certain family members
Retirement Benefits

Pension
  • The Judicial Branch contributes to your Retirement Plan
  • Upon retirement, you'll receive a monthly benefit for life, with potential post-retirement increases
  • Your monthly benefit will be calculated based on factors such as length of service, high-five average salary, age at retirement, and survivor benefit selected
Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Retirement saving plan in addition to your pension plan
Health Care Saving Plan
  • Post-employment health care saving plan that can be used to pay for medical expenses
Work & Life Balance

Paid holidays
  • 10 paid holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
  • Additional floating holidays may also be offered
Paid vacation leave
  • In addition to paid sick leave, employees accrue generous paid time off that increases with years of service.
Paid Parental Leave
  • Eligible employees may receive up to six weeks of paid time off following the birth or placement of a child.
Employee Assistance Program
  • Our no-cost employee assistance program provides health coaching, worksite wellness initiatives, financial planning assistance, and several free counseling sessions for personal or professional use for employees and their families.
Additional Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Professional Development
  • Participation in conferences, cohort developmental programs, and other educational offerings
  • Tuition reimbursement program
Eligibility for benefits is determined by employment status (i.e. full-time, part-time, intermittent, or temporary) as well as other job details (e.g. bargaining unit, supervisory status, etc.). Please ask Human Resources or the hiring contact about benefits at any time during the application process.
 

Agency
Minnesota Judicial Branch
Address
25 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

St Paul, Minnesota, 55155
Phone
651/284-3863