OCJ - Litigant Services Associate

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE
CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:              LITIGANT SERVICES ASSOCIATE
                                    FIRST MUNICIPAL DISTRICT
GRADE:                    16
UNION:                     TEAMSTERS LOCAL 700
SALARY:                  ENTRY LEVEL: $66,665
LOCATION:             RICHARD J. DALEY CENTER
                                    50 W. WASHINGTON STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60602
                                    or as assigned.

Job  Summary and Duties:

The Litigant Services Associate reports to the Litigation Services Associate Supervisor under the direction of the Presiding Judge of the First Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The position requires a strong commitment to access to justice, a highly professional demeanor, and sound judgment.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
 
- Assist self-represented litigants completing protective order paperwork at the Richard J. Daley Center (RJDC), including but not limited to individuals with literacy challenges, physical limitations, or language barriers;
- Answer court patrons’ questions and distribute helper documents about court paperwork and processes, before and after court;
- Coordinate with Domestic Relations Division staff about interdivisional EOP hearing;
- Facilitate technology connection for self-represented litigants, including Zoom hearings and access to Illinois Legal Aid Online from public computer terminals at the RJDC;
- Provide court patrons with information about community resources and link patrons to resources within the RJDC, including court advocacy and legal aid services;
- Escort litigants and paperwork to assigned hearing rooms our courtrooms.

The duties listed are not set forth for the purpose of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the duties to be performed under the job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

Job Requirements and Qualifications:
 
- Bachelor’s degree;
- Experience and demonstrated understanding of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking strongly preferred;
- Completion of 40-hour training program as specified by the Presiding Judge, either before or within 12 weeks of hire;
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail;
- Highly collegial and demonstrated ability to collaborate culturally diverse populations;
- Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
 
- On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods in front of a computer screen;
- Intermittently twist to reach equipment or supplies surrounding desk;
- Perform simple grasping and fine manipulation;
- Strength to lift files weighing up to 20 pounds;
- Move between locations;
- Use telephone computer keyboard on a daily basis.

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria. Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment.

Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page (http://www.cookcountycourt.org/employment-opportunities).

Please apply by filling out the application at our Career Page (http://illinoiscircuitcourtofcookcounty.applytojob.com/apply).

THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment.  No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.