Multnomah Legal Resource Center Specialist (Legal Resource Center Facilitator)

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Limited Duration: This is a full-time, limited-duration position currently funded through June 30, 2027. Funding renewal is annual and expected to continue unless Legal Resource Center (LRC) programming is discontinued.

If you are a current OJD regular status employee, acceptance of a limited-duration status position does not change your status to limited duration (although probationary status may still apply). See Judicial Department Personnel Rule 6 for more information or contact your assigned HR Manager.

Interviews: Generally, interviews will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline. Depending on the number of applications received, this time frame may be extended.

Who we are

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work experience, education, and any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.

Benefits to you

• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
• The hourly equivalent for this position is $33.42 - $51.84, and the annual salary for this position is $69,507 - $107,834.
• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (including ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.
• Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.

Location Highlights

Portland, Oregon, was founded in 1845 (incorporated in 1851). It is the state’s largest city and the county seat for Multnomah County. It is named for Portland, Maine. It is situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Recreational activities include numerous museums (including OMSI), parks (including Forest Park, the largest wilderness park in city limits in the nation), hiking (including in-city hiking trails), restaurants (including Food Carts), Mt. Hood (about 50 miles east), and much more. Portland is home to four major sports teams: Trail Blazers (NBA), Portland Fire (WNBA), Timbers (MLS), and Thorns (NWSL).

Position Highlights

The Multnomah County Circuit Court is hiring a Legal Resource Center (LRC) Facilitator (Multnomah Legal Resource Center Specialist).

In this role…

You will assist customers with a variety of case types, including family law, protection orders, probate, landlord tenant law, small claims, and some civil matters. Facilitators must be sufficiently familiar with the different case types to spot issues, provide legal information, and explain court procedures. We frequently interact with staff in other departments to get help with complicated cases, correct court errors, and to confirm court procedures. You will give customers information about, and referrals to, outside services, and therefore must be familiar with legal and other community resources. The LRC also serves as a quasi-law library. You will help customers access and use legal databases, and LRC equipment (computers and printers).

You will meet with customers to assess what they need. Through one-on-one facilitations, you will provide relevant legal information and, if appropriate, referrals to various resources. You will also explain court forms and processes, and answer customer questions. As needed, you will provide additional assistance with forms completion, and review completed forms to check for common errors and/or missing information.

Our customers represent a cross-section of our community, in terms of socio-economic backgrounds, race, ethnicity, culture, and national origin. They have widely varying levels of education, English proficiency, and understanding of our legal system. Some of our customers are experiencing high levels of stress and traumatic life events (including domestic violence and houselessness). They may be frustrated with court outcomes or confused about the next steps in their case. The ideal candidate for this position wants to make a positive impact in our community;, values OJD's mission, and its efforts to increase access to justice services;, and enjoys working with the public. Working in a field that is constantly evolving as laws and procedures change, our facilitators must be adaptable, inquisitive, and willing to learn.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs. 

Application Process

• Workday times out after approximately 15 minutes of inactivity and all progress will be lost.
• REQUIRED: a cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, Special Qualifications, and Requested Skills and Attributes, listed below. Using a generic cover letter is likely not going to get you an interview, so please take the time needed to personalize your cover letter. Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
• REQUIRED: a completed work history, either by completing the Job History (internal candidate) or Work Experience (external candidate) portion of your Workday profile OR by attaching an updated resume.

Instructions for Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.

Cover Letter

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application.  Your cover letter and filename should include your name.
• Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”
• In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.
• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.

Work History/Resume

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.

OR 

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have at least two (2) years professional work in social work, social services, court services or a related field.

AND

Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Social Sciences, or a related field.

OR

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to six (6) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
 

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

None.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Experience working in a court or other legal environment, or a social service agency.
• Experience explaining procedures, policies, or rules to customers with varying levels of education, literacy, and English proficiency; experience communicating through the assistance of an interpreter is desirable.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and treat customers with respect, kindness, and patience.
• Ability to work independently and use resources, policies, and procedures to find information and guide your work.
• Ability to be flexible as daily priorities change, prioritizing needs and balancing multiple demands.
• Proficiency in a language other than English is desirable, including ASL. 

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time, limited-duration position, and the work schedule currently is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per work week.
• Occasional after-hours or overtime work may be required.
• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma.
• Regular use of the following equipment: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copy machine, and scanner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Parking

Multnomah County Circuit Court does not provide parking for the central courthouse or justice center staff. Daily parking is available across SW 1st St from the central courthouse (monthly parking is limited). Another option is the Douglas Garage at 1835 S River Dr, Portland, OR 97204. Parking cost is $165/month and is a half mile from the courthouse and justice center.

Criminal Background Check
You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Age-Based Discrimination

OJD does not request or require your age, date of birth, or attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

Veterans’ or Oregon National Guard Preference
Eligible veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking for documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits
Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.
• Workday related information and resources are available here.
• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.