Legal Support Specialist

Rock County Wisconsin

Janesville, WI

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$23.05–$25.05 Per Hour
SKILLS
Administrative Skills, Adobe Product Family, Background Investigation, Billing, Calendar Management, Case Management, Communication Skills, Compensation and Benefits, Computer Software, Dental Insurance, Employee Benefits, Employee Orientation, Establish Priorities, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Laws and Regulations, File Maintenance, File Management, Fixed Plant/Equipment, Internet Application, Laptop PC, Law Enforcement, Legal, Legal Reports, Legal Support Skills, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Off-Site Storage, Office Equipment, Paralegal, Performing Arts, Risk Management, State Laws and Regulations, Time Management, Typing, United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Vision Plan
LOCATION
Janesville, WI
POSTED
5 days ago

Legal Support Specialist

Salary

$23.05 - $25.05 Hourly

Location

Courthouse, 51 S. Main St., Janesville, WI

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

RC-0805213

Department

District Attorney

Opening Date

06/02/2026

Closing Date

6/19/2026 5:00 PM Central

  • Description
  • Benefits

Position Summary and Job Duties

In this public service position, Legal Support Specialists provide skilled paralegal/legal administrative support work to one or more attorneys in the District Attorneys Office in the prosecution of criminal, traffic, civil forfeitures and juvenile court proceedings. They independently manage prosecution files, maintain confidentiality and sustain communication to other parties for efficient handling of cases. Legal Support Specialists work under limited supervision in an often high-pressure, fast paced work environment and are required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times.

50% Perform Paralegal/Legal Secretary Work

  • Receive and review arrest reports from law enforcement agencies for accuracy and completeness for prosecutors to make charging decisions.

  • Enter arrest, person and case information into a case management database (PROTECT).

  • Request additional information from law enforcement agencies when needed.

  • Assist attorneys in preparing and organizing various correspondence, court documents, pleadings and other materials from verbal and/or written instructions utilizing PROTECT templates within statutory time limits.

  • Prepare discovery and billing for defense.

  • Answer questions received from defense attorneys, law enforcement agencies, other offices and the general public and refer them to the attorney if necessary.

  • Testify in court regarding contacts with victims, witnesses and/or discovery issues when necessary.

  • Provide overall responsibility of case management for the assigned staff attorneys to ensure the attorneys cases are managed accurately and timely.

  • Provide back up for other support specialists and administrative professionals as needed.

  • Perform other general typing and legal office work as needed.

45% Case Management

  • As stated above, precisely enter arrest, person and case information into a case management database (PROTECT).

  • Review, update and maintain prosecution electronic files in PROTECT.

  • Maintain calendar for upcoming appointments and court hearings.

  • Coordinate the scheduling and rescheduling of court hearings through the Clerk of Courts office, with defense attorneys and other case parties.

  • Review and attach pertinent electronic documents received in the eFiling Queue to their respective cases daily.

  • Forward any important documents received to the assigned attorney.

  • Interact with defense attorneys, law enforcement agencies, other offices and the general public face-to-face, over the telephone, by email or postal mail.

  • Review and correct eFiling Queue error notifications timely.

  • Timely close electronic files upon conclusion of a case.

5% Other duties as assigned.

Success Factors (KSAs)

Have considerable knowledge of:

  • legal procedures and terminology;
  • modern office methods and practices; and
  • departmental programs, operation and policy.

Establish and maintain:

  • cooperative working relationships with attorneys, courts, other professional offices and the public in a professional manner; and
  • appropriate safeguards for privileged, confidential and sensitive information.

Ability to:

  • perform repetitive and moderately complex legal secretarial work by following clear directions and procedures;
  • understand and follow statutes, state and federal laws/regulations, written policies and procedures;
  • utilize Word, Excel, Outlook, other applications (Adobe Pro, Spillman, Evidence.com, etc.) and various standard office equipment; plan, prioritize and manage time and workload in order to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines; type neatly and correctly from plain copy, corrected manuscripts, rough draft, dictation and tabular material;
  • maintain the case calendar and ensure that important dates and deadlines do not get missed;
  • remain professional in dealing with individuals who may be angry and upset;
  • maintain prompt and consistent attendance; and
  • perform other various clerical tasks as assigned.

A successful candidate will also have excellent communication and time management skills, can type at a rate of 50 net words per minute (55+ preferred) and demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

Job Requirements, Education, Training & Experience

  • Associate degree as Paralegal/Legal Secretary, Administrative Professional, Office Support Specialist or other related degree.
  • Three (3) or more years of office/clerical experience in the legal field.
  • Any equivalent combination of training and experience.

The offer of employment may be contingent on satisfactory completion of a criminal background check conducted by the State Department of Justice (DOJ), including FBI fingerprinting. Cost of the background check and fingerprinting will be covered by Rock County.

Essential Job Functions (physical elements, equipment and working conditions)

Physical Elements:

  • Ability to sit, stand and walk for periods of time; and

  • Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Use of Equipment:

  • copiers, printers, scanners, shredders and telephone system;

  • laptops, internet and computer applications and software, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook; and

  • various other standard office equipment, such as computer accessories, desks, chairs, stationary, storage equipment.

Working Conditions:

  • Work is usually inside office work with some work in our on and off site storage rooms.

Rock County Employee

Facts and Benefits Highlights

  • Rock County historic and cultural attractions:Rock County is in south Central Wisconsin along the Illinois border. The County has a population of 161,188 making it the ninth largest County in Wisconsin. Janesville, Wisconsin (pop. 64,009) is the county seat. Janesville is located on the I39/90 corridor, forty miles south of Madison, seventy-six miles west of Milwaukee and about two hours from Chicago.

Rock County's many historic and cultural attractions include the City of Evansville historic district, Beloit College (an acclaimed liberal arts institution located in the City of Beloit) and the City of Janesville's Rotary Botanical Gardens and Tallman House (an exceptional example of Italian villa style architecture from the mid 1850's).

The Cities of Janesville and Beloit have a combined symphony orchestra, as well as individual performing arts centers. The Rock County Fair and Riverfest are regional cultural celebrations held every summer in the Cities of Janesville and Beloit respectively. These Cities both have extensive park and open space networks, including portions of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a Statewide trail commemorating the State's geologic history. Additionally, the Rock River runs through these Cities, offering many recreational opportunities.

  • Salary:

Rock County has updated their pay grid in 2023 and it has 14 steps for every classification. Below is the link to locate the compensation grid and see each of the classifications that Rock County has to offer.

https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/human-resources/compens

Employees are paid every two weeks on Friday (26 checks in a year). Paychecks are directly deposited in the employee's bank account. There is a two-week delay between the pay period worked and the payday. New employees generally wait four weeks before they receive their first check, which is a live paper check. Direct deposit is a requirement of employment.

  • Holidays (Ordinance 18.501):

The following holidays are observed by the County and shall be granted to regular employees with pay and to temporary employees without pay, unless such employees are required to be on scheduled work:

(a) New Years Day

(b) Martin Luther King Jr. Day

(c) Spring Holiday to be observed the Friday immediately preceding Easter

(d) Memorial Day

(f) July 4th

(g) Labor Day

(h) Thanksgiving Day

(i) Friday following Thanksgiving

(j) Day before Christmas

(k) Christmas Day

(l) One Floating Holiday

(m) Any additional holiday granted by the County Board.

(n) The County Administrator may designate additional holidays in unusual circumstances with the approval of the County Board Chair and/or Vice Chair.

For employees working the standard work schedule, when a holiday falls on Saturday, it shall be observed on the preceding Friday. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed.

For employees not working the standard work schedule see the HR Policies and Procedures.

  • Vacation (Policy & Procedure Manual 5.47):

Employees (.4 FTE or greater) hired on or after April 10, 2023, shall earn vacation according to the following schedule:

  • Health Insurance including our Wellness component:

Rock County offers a dual choice point of service plan. Employees will have a choice to elect coverage with either Dean Health Care or Mercy Health Care. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall. In the case of a qualifying event (birth, marriage, FTE increase, loss of coverage, etc.), the employee will also have 30 days to enroll or make changes. No exceptions will be made. The County will pay 90% of the premium for health insurance and the Employee may earn the remaining 10% of the premium, based on the terms of participation of the Healthy Employee Incentive Program.

  • Sick Leave (Policy 5.39):

Sick leave pay shall commence on the first day of any period of illness due to accident, injury, or disease.

All full-time employees shall earn one sick leave day per month of continuous employment. All part-time employees whose regular workweek is sixteen hours or more shall earn one sick leave day on a prorated basis directly in relation to the normal full time employment period. All part-time employees, who work less than sixteen hours per week, shall not earn sick leave. Temporary and seasonal employees are not eligible for sick leave. Sick leave shall accrue to a maximum of one hundred thirty days.

  • Dental Plan:

The County offers a dental plan through Delta Dental and will pay 60% of the applicable

premium for the lowest cost plan. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of

employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall. In the case of a qualifying event (birth, marriage, FTE increase, loss of coverage, etc.), the employee will also have 30 days to enroll or make changes. No exceptions will be made. Newly enrolled employees will likely see a double deduction on their first paycheck; premiums are paid one month in advance.

  • Vision Plan:

The County offers a vision plan which employees can enroll in at their own cost. Employees

can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment

period in the fall. In the case of a qualifying event (birth, marriage, FTE increase, loss of coverage, etc.), the employee will also have 30 days to enroll or make changes. No exceptions will be made.

Newly enrolled employees will likely see a double deduction on their first paycheck; premiums are paid one month in advance.

  • Life Insurance:

The County provides term life insurance through the State of Wisconsin Plan. Employees can purchase insurance in increments based on their salary, up to five times their salary. The County will contribute 20% of the cost for the first increment only - one times the employee's salary. Employees can also purchase coverage for their spouse and/or children.

  • Eligibility for this benefit is tied to whether the employee is eligible for retirement benefits. (You must be expected to work for at least 12 months and 1200 hours, or have previously qualified for the WRS)
  • Voluntary Benefits:

The County offers voluntary benefits which employees can enroll in at their own cost. Employees

can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment

period in the fall. Voluntary benefits may include: Disability, Hospital indemnity, Supplemental Life, Critical Illness, and Accident Insurance. Employees are responsible for 100% of the premiums for any voluntary benefits elected. Deductions are taken post tax. Please visit the Human Resources intranet page for more information.

  • Deferred Compensation:

Employees can participate in one of the identified deferred compensation plans (Nationwide, Wisconsin Deferred Comp, and Security Benefits) at their own cost.

  • Flexible Spending Account (Medical and Dependent Care):

Employees can elect to put an annually IRS established amount into a flexible spending account through (EBC) to pay for their own non-reimbursed medical care expenses. Employees can also put in up to $5,000 for dependent care accounts.

If you leave County employment, you have ninety (90) days to submit expenses incurred prior to your last day.

  • Retirement:

Rock County participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Eligible employees are required to participate. What an employee receives at retirement is dependent upon several factors - age, length of service, salary.

Rock County and the employee make equal contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System on behalf of the employer. The contribution rate is addressed in the employment letter.

Employees in protective status have the percentage contributions defined in their respective collective bargaining units.

Employees who have questions about their retirement benefits should contact WRS.

  • Bereavement Leave (Policy 5.04):

In the event of a death an employee may be excused from work without loss of pay for up to a maximum of thirty-two (32) hours annually for the purpose of attending a person's wake, visitation, memorial service, funeral, or make necessary arrangements regarding the person's death, within a reasonable time after the occurrence. Reasonable time after the occurrence is defined as within six (6) months from the date of death.

No more than (32) hours can be used for the same decedent.

If additional time is required beyond the thirty-two (32) hours annually, an employee may request to use accumulated vacation, holiday, or comp-time. Sick leave can be used for a parent, spouse, or child only.

Bereavement leave cannot be accrued from one year to the next.

Bereavement leave can be used in increments of quarter hours.

A second or third shift employee may be excused from work the scheduled shift before or after the event, provided the shift begins or ends on the same calendar date of the event.

All leaves under this section shall be prorated based upon the employee's FTE.

  • EAP:

The County provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees to use for all kinds of personal and professional assistance. In the case of counseling, professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An employee can establish a relationship with a counselor over the phone or set up an in-person appointment with a counselor in the area. As of March 1, 2022, the EAP program will pay for up to six visits.

  • Parking:

The County provides free parking at all its facilities.

  • Workplace Attire (Policy & Procedures 5.53):

All Rock County employees are expected to present a professional, businesslike image to clients, visitors, customers, and the public. Acceptable personal appearance, like proper maintenance of work areas, is an ongoing requirement of employment with the County. Supervisors should communicate any department-specific workplace attire and grooming guidelines to staff members during new-hire orientation and evaluation periods. Any questions about the department's guidelines for attire should be discussed with the immediate supervisor.

  • Employee Identification Badge (Policy & Procedure 5.08)

All Rock County employees shall have and display, an identification badge while conducting official County business. Minimal exceptions, for safety reasons, may be approved by Department Heads.

  • Smoking:

All County buildings are smoke free. By County Ordinance anyone visiting or working in any County building is prohibited from smoking closer than 30 feet from any building entrance. The Ordinance also makes the entire Rock Haven Nursing Home a smoke free "campus."

Prior to new hire orientation, please access policy documents here: https://www.co.rock.wi.us/hr

Active Employees: For full policy documents, please visit the Human Resources Intranet page, "Personnel Ordinance" and "Policy & Procedure Manual". https://www.co.rock.wi.us/rchr/

Please note, you may also be subject to department specific work rules.

Still have questions? Call us! Human Resources: 608-757-5520

Employer Rock County

Address 51 S.Main Street

Janesville, Wisconsin, 53545

Phone (608) 757-5520

About the Company

R

Rock County Wisconsin