OFFICE SECRETARY III-Mental Health

The Office of the Public Defender is a statewide independent agency charged with providing superior legal representation for indigent defendants.  The agency’s vision is Justice, Fairness and Dignity for all. Employees are committed to the core values of culture of excellence, client centered representation, tenacious advocacy, and are united in achieving the agency’s mission.

The Office of the Public Defender is seeking detailed oriented applicants with legal secretarial experience who are familiar with legal terminology and possess excellent organizational and writing skills, as well as, problem solving skills, data entry and significant customer service experience with the ability to work independently.  We are looking for someone who knows how to create/format pleadings, motions and discovery documents. 

This position will work an alternative schedule- Sundays to Thursdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., alternate holidays and on weekends on a needed basis.  After training (which will take place 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) in person, the position is a hybrid-telework position.

The Contractual Office Secretary III will be responsible for providing secretarial support to the attorneys assigned to our Mental Health Division at our main office in Hanover. The Contractual Office Secretary III vacancy is located at (7030 Dorsey Road, Hanover, MD 21076).  The Mental Health Division represents defendants in cases of involuntary commitment and cases where an individual’s mental health condition is at issue for the defense of criminal charges.   This position involves significant client contact with indigent defendants and their families to provide and gather information over the phone and at times, in person, at public and private psychiatric hospitals and facilities.   Travel to satellite offices at Spring Grove Hospital Center, Springfield Hospital and Clifton T. Perkins may be required.

Support staff with processing medical records, dockets and other legal documents

Update eDefender Database and Google Sheet and Drive with client information

Support staff attorneys with filing of any and all legal correspondence (motions, subpoenas, pleadings)

Process Discovery and Body Worn Camera Footage

Process and Distribute incoming mail and correspondence

Schedules meetings and interviews as requested by attorneys and management

Type client correspondence

Create/modify reports and documents as requested by staff attorneys or administrative staff

Makes photocopies, faxes documents and performs other clerical functions

Assist with the preparation of client files

Files papers and documents into appropriate client files

File client correspondence

Maintain important and confidential records, schedules, expense accounts and office supplies

Maintain Office Equipment

Perform other duties as assigned

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Three years performing secretarial or clerical work involving typing duties.

Notes: 

1. Additional secretarial or clerical experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Thirty credit hours with a major in secretarial science or office technology from an accredited college may be substituted at the rate of thirty credits for one year of experience for up to two years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Administration classifications or Administrative, Clerical, or Office Services specialty codes in the Administrative Support field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.  

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in a law office or court system. Good organizational and problem solving skills, and the ability to multi-task. Highly proficient in Google Apps, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Working knowledge and or experience with MDEC.  Familiarity with electronic medical records is a plus.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS