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Job Description
ABOUT US
At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people, “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Department of Human Resources website . Read on to find out more about this opportunity.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The primary purpose of this Legal Research Assistant (LRA) position is to assist underserved victims of crime in Marin County by helping them to navigate the procedures and processes of the legal system in an effort to obtain restitution from criminal defendants who have victimized them. The LRA obtains restitution for victims by helping Deputy District Attorneys (DDAs) file court documents to freeze assets, obtain liens, garnish wages, and obtain civil orders for restitution. The LRA tracks restitution claims, follows up with victims, and ensures that restitution payments, which are secured through the court in criminal and civil actions, are disbursed to the victims. In this role, the LRA not only serves as a liaison between victims and prosecutors handling criminal cases, but also acts as a liaison between the District Attorney’s Office, the Probation Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to make sure that each entity is informed of restitution payments made or claimed through the probation department or CDCR. In addition, the LRA works to assist victims in clearing their credit and/or criminal history if damaged by identity thieves and, if necessary, the LRA assists with filing motions to expunge the victim's record in cases where a victim was impersonated by a suspect during the commission of a crime. In addition, the LRA assists DDAs with preparing and filing a variety of pleadings, including motions, oppositions, and replies, which are related to claims of Serna violations, petitions for Mental Health Diversion, petitions for Misdemeanor Diversion, requests for return of property, petitions for early termination of probation, requests for reconsideration of earlier rulings, requests for dismissal, petitions for expungement of criminal records, etc. The position also assists with review of evidence, data analysis, data entry, and data tracking.
The District Attorney's Office currently has one full-time (80 bi-weekly hours), regular hire Legal Research Assistant vacancy to fill.
ABOUT YOU
Our Highly Qualified Candidate:
The ideal candidate has a background in legal support work and the ability to work independently without the need for extensive instruction or supervision. The ideal candidate is capable of conducting legal research and generating court documents and memoranda for review by attorneys. They should also be familiar with court procedures and particularly with criminal court procedure. The candidate should possess strong communication and relationship-building skills, have successful and positive interactions with team members at all levels in the organization, and be able to successfully interact with representatives from other outside government agencies, all in an effort to assist DDA’s with pleadings, help victims obtain restitution, and aid victims in rectifying their compromised credit or criminal records. The ideal candidate successfully organizes their time, prioritizes work, and uses spreadsheets effectively to categorize and track information provided from a myriad of sources. In addition, the ideal candidate demonstrates sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime and handles stressful or even confrontational situations with ease and professionalism.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:- General knowledge of the principles and practices of criminal law, civil law, methods of legal and factual research, discovery techniques, drafting of legal memoranda, county government functions and legal responsibility.
- Use of legal research computer systems, data organization programs and word processing programs.
- Legal office practices and procedures.
- Analyze legal principles, facts, evidence and precedents and apply them to legal problems.
- Present statements of law and fact clearly and logically in written and oral form.
- Draft legal instruments and opinions and perform legal research.
- Interview people and investigate circumstances surrounding issues.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the knowledge and abilities listed. Typically, the equivalent to graduation from a recognized paralegal program with extensive experience in legal research and analysis, which would provide the above listed knowledge and abilities.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
For any questions concerning this position announcement, please contact at Colleen Beck at Colleen.Beck@marincounty.gov .
All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view these emails.
Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy, and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time, or part-time positions, which may occur while the list remains active.
Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095.
PLEASE NOTE: The benefits described herein do not apply to temporary (contingent) or to part-time employees that work less than 50%.
COUNTY OF MARIN BENEFITS: GENERAL
Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the Marin County's Benefits Homepage .
Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals. Additional types of paid leaves are available for some bargaining units.
Health Plan : Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO, and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is a County contribution toward the premiums (the contribution amount varies depending on coverage tier elected such as employee only, employee + 1, employee + family). Plus, the County offers excellent Life Insurance, Disability, Flexible Spending Plans, a Dependent Care Assistance Program, professional development and more.
Retirement : Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937. More information can be found online at www.mcera.org.
IRS 457 Plan : Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical : The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees.
For specific questions regarding the employment process, please contact Human Resources at (415) 473-6104. For additional details about the benefits or retirement, please contact the Benefits Division at (415) 473-2197.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 8/22/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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County of Marin
Show moreThe County of Marin is a vibrant and thriving organization comprised of 23 agencies and departments with a workforce of approximately 2,400 employees. The County’s array of public safety, community development, public works, health and human services, community services and administrative services is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which is made up of an elected representative from each of the five voting districts in this county.
This diverse organization strives to uphold a set of core values at work: respect, trust, integrity, diversity, equality, excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration. These values keep the organization and its individuals healthy, resulting in successful and sustainable quality service delivery. In addition, the County is committed to being a well-managed organization that relies on the talents of its workforce to succeed.
OUR MISSION AS A COUNTY:
To provide excellent services that support healthy, safe and sustainable communities; preserve Marin’s unique environmental heritage; and encourage meaningful participation in the governance of the County by all.
When you’re employed in local government the effects of your work are visible all around you. Your work is an integral part of the day-to-day lives of Marin County residents and visitors. From the roads we drive on, to the parks and libraries we visit, to the services we rely on to keep us healthy and safe, County employees contribute directly to the sustained well-being of Marin County’s communities.
We are motivated to preserve the importance of Equity, Economy, Environment and Education that make our County unique. With over 3000 employees, volunteers and interns across 22 departments, we are a part of the communities we serve. We work with our core values in mind: Integrity, Respect, Diversity, Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence. These values are not only part of our organization’s strategic initiatives and goals[PDF], but they are what unify us in our work across a variety of perspectives and skillsets.
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