Purpose of Position The purpose of this position is to assist the Judge in the research, drafting, and decision-making process; conduct research and advise the Judge on legal issues that may arise in a hearing or bench trial; assist attorneys with procedural questions/issues, and ensure case flow and case management of pending actions. Essential Job Functions & Competencies <ul> <li>Researches statutory law, case law, and procedure germane to civil and criminal matters pending before the court; uses online and hard copy research sources; composes/drafts decisions and/or entries; proofreads and edits Judge’s decisions/entries</li> <li> Drafts decisions and entries related to motions and other requests pending before the court; categorizes, files, and removes from files draft copies of decisions; files courtesy copies</li> <li> Locates case citations for a court reporter</li> <li> Conducts status conferences related to motion practice, discovery, etc.; conducts civil pre-trials; resolves disputes in civil matters concerning continuances, discovery issues, case management issues, etc.</li> <li> Receives and responds to questions via telephone or live requests regarding civil cases</li> <li> Retrieves files and papers from the Clerk’s office</li> <li> Coordinates with Judge, Magistrate, other staff, attorneys, and litigants; answers inquiries from attorneys, litigants, Bailiffs, and Judge</li> <li> Coordinates hearing dates for special matters; provides general management of civil docket</li> <li> Identifies and requests deletion of motions that have been decided or should not be on the current motion list</li> <li> Edits jury instructions in civil and criminal cases</li> <li> Attends professional seminars</li> <li> Performs other related duties as required</li> </ul> The aforementioned duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions: <ul> <li> Ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data, including exercising judgment in determining time, place, and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine the necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.</li> <li> Ability to function in a managerial capacity for a division or organizational unit. Includes the ability to make decisions on procedural and technical levels.</li> <li> Ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.</li> <li> Ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive, and/or design data and information as applicable.</li> <li> Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include the ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include the ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include the ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.</li> <li> Ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.</li> <li> Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.</li> <li> Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form. Involves semi-routine standardized work with some latitude for independent judgment concerning choices of action.</li> <li> Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control, and planning of an entire program or set of programs.</li> <li> Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is measurable or verifiable.</li> <li> Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties, which are often characterized by frequent change.</li> <li> Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods at a keyboard or workstation.</li> <li> Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.</li> </ul> In addition to the Essential Job Functions and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities identified, the following competencies are considered during the hiring process and are integral to the position: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Possesses, acquires, and maintains the technical/professional expertise required to do the job effectively and to create solutions. Technical/professional expertise is demonstrated through problem-solving, applying professional judgment, and competent performance. Decision-making/Problem Solving: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions promptly. Compares data, information, and input from a variety of sources to draw conclusions. Takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences. Applies both rational and creative processes to identify unknown root causes of problems. Based on the situation, decides the best course of action, implements the solution, and evaluates the outcome. Calculates, and evaluates the long-term consequences of a decision. Stress Tolerance: Maintains effective performance under pressure. Handles stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and the organization. Stays calm and even-tempered when handling crises, stressful situations, continuous change, or unexpected developments. Able to recover from difficult situations and is seen as a settling influence in a crisis. Teamwork: Works effectively in a team environment to accomplish organizational goals. Builds constructive working relationships with interested stakeholders to identify and meet mutual goals and objectives. Participates as an active and contributing member of teams with a focus on improving offender outcomes and department goals. Shares information and credit as appropriate for team accomplishments. Helps create and maintain strong morale and a feeling of belonging in his/her team. Acts as if "true success" is the success of the whole team. Conflict Management: Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to reduce tension and/or conflict between two or more people, can size up situations quickly, can identify common interests, and facilitate resolution. Steps up to conflicts and sees them as opportunities. Finds common ground and achieves cooperation without disruption to workflows or interpersonal relationships. Cultural Competence: Values an inclusive organization where the differences of all people are respected, valued, and utilized towards achieving common goals. Respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds and understands diverse worldviews. Sensitive to group differences. Sees diversity as an opportunity, and respectfully challenges bias and intolerance. Supports equal and fair treatment. Communication: Conveys and receives information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the listener, helps them understand, and retain the message, and invites response and feedback. Keeps others informed as appropriate. Demonstrates effective written, verbal, and listening skills. Collaboration: Develops and maintains effective working relationships with coworkers and stakeholders using strong interpersonal skills to meet mutual goals and objectives. Obtains cooperation from others. Seeks and encourages win-win alternatives. Influence: Uses appropriate interpersonal skills and techniques to gain support and acceptance for ideas or solutions. Uses influencing strategies to gain mutually beneficial agreements. Seeks to persuade rather than force solutions or impose decisions or regulations and recognizes the personal autonomy of others. Dependability and Reliability: Personally responsible. Completes work in a timely, consistent manner and is committed to being available during business hours to further organizational goals. Demonstrates regular and punctual attendance and arrives prepared for work. Committed to doing the best job possible and diligently follows through on commitments. Consistently meets deadlines. Minimum Qualifications <ul> <li>Juris Doctor.</li> <li> One (1) year of law experience, during or after law school.</li> <li> Must possess and maintain a license to practice law in the State of Ohio.</li> </ul> Preferred Qualifications <ul> <li>One (1) year of civil law experience, including but not limited to familiarity with the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Rules of this Court, and the Court’s efiling system.</li> </ul>

Staff Attorney - Judge Kimberly Cocroft

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas