Judicial Admin Assistant I

Role overview

This position provides legal, clerical, and administrative support for a District Court judge in Helena, Montana. The work centers on helping manage court processes, office coordination, and confidential judicial tasks in a multi-judge court setting or related court department as assigned.

The role is carried out with a good deal of independence after a short office orientation, and performance is assessed on how accurately and promptly information is processed, as well as how well documents follow court and legal procedure.

Benefits

• Better work-life balance
• Family-friendly policies
• Supportive and dedicated coworkers
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays totaling up to 38 days per year
• Room to grow professionally
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through state employment

Key duties

• Prepare, edit, type, and proofread legal and court-related documents with attention to formatting, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
• Act as a confidential personal assistant to the judge and draft correspondence, proposed documents, and orders for review and signature.
• Review pleadings, letters, and phone messages to determine the appropriate response or follow-up action.
• Coordinate with attorneys, jurors, law enforcement, parties, and other agencies as permitted.
• Schedule meetings, conferences, hearings, and travel, and circulate agendas and supporting materials.
• Track incoming paperwork and ensure items are routed and processed accurately and on time.
• Maintain paper and electronic calendars, case dates, conference schedules, filing systems, office supplies, and the judge’s law library.
• Screen calls and mail, take messages, provide authorized information, and keep the judge’s calendar current.
• May assist with attending and electronically recording court proceedings.

Knowledge and abilities

• Strong command of legal terminology and document formatting.
• Solid business English, spelling, and punctuation skills.
• Familiarity with legal office procedures, equipment, and standard administrative support methods.
• Working knowledge of court procedures, ideally in a trial court environment.
• Ability to learn and use Zoom for hearings and related coordination.
• Capacity to follow moderately complex verbal and written directions.
• High regard for confidentiality and professional discretion.
• Good organization, prioritization, and deadline management skills.
• Comfort with word processing and general office software.
• Clear verbal and written communication with a wide range of people.
• Ability to manage extensive filing systems accurately.
• Professional calm when dealing with upset or irate individuals.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across the court system and with the public.
• Competence with office equipment.

Working conditions

The work is primarily office-based and may involve sitting for extended periods, plus standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, lifting, moving, and carrying light to medium items while using office equipment.

The environment involves ordinary office-related risks and the use of standard safety precautions.

License and certification

A valid Montana driver’s license may be required for some roles. If a personal vehicle is used for state business, proof of insurance is required.

Qualifications

An associate degree in business, clerical studies, or a closely related field is required, although relevant legal experience may replace the degree requirement.

Applicants should have at least two years of progressively responsible legal experience that shows they can perform the duties of the role. Prior legal-setting experience is mandatory.

Experience as a senior-level assistant is preferred.

Additional information

The first review of applications will take place on July 13, 2026.

Applicants must ensure uploaded files are attached using the “relevant document” checkbox so they are linked to the correct application. Materials that were not requested will not be reviewed.

This employer is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, minorities, and people with disabilities to apply.

The position is a regular full-time day job with 5% travel. Telework is not available. The number of openings is 1.

Required application materials are a cover letter, resume, and references.

Applicant pool notice: if another vacancy in this job title opens within six months, the same applicant pool may be used.

Training assignment: not applicable.

Work location: Helena. Agency: Judicial Branch. Union: none.

Posting date: June 29, 2026, 7:48:48 PM. Closing date: ongoing.

Contact: Mandi Edlin, [email protected], 406-841-2965.

Reasonable accommodation requests should be directed to the agency HR staff or through Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices can also assist with online applications.

State government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor unrelated to merit and qualifications.