<p>Hennepin County District Court is currently accepting applications for a Bilingual (Somali-English) Self-Help Center (SHC) Specialist position with the Judicial Branch's Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Program.</p> <p>The Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Program provides information to Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs) with legal issues that can be addressed in District Court, pursuant to Minnesota Court Rules, General Rules of Practice, Rule 110. Self-Represented Litigants (SRL) Program staff cannot provide legal advice.</p> <p>The goals of the program include:</p> <ul> <li>Increasing access to justice for individuals who cannot afford to hire an attorney or choose not to hire an attorney to represent them. </li><li>Improving the efficiency of the Minnesota Judicial Branch </li></ul> <p>The Minnesota Judicial Branch's Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Program has three Self-Help Center (SHC) locations, including two walk-in centers located in downtown Minneapolis and one statewide, virtual center. Together, the Self-Help Centers (SHCs) serve over 75,000 customers annually in person, via phone, and via email. Each of the three Self-Help Centers is a diverse, professional environment that promotes equity for all court staff and court users. Self-Help Center Specialists work individually and in teams using independent judgment and available resources to assist Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs) by responding to a variety of Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) questions across different case types.</p> <p>The Self-Help Center Specialist will work initially with the Self-Help Center (SHC) located in the Hennepin County Family Justice Center (FJC) (110 South Fourth Street). This position will also help Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs), and the Self-Help Center (SHC) team at the Hennepin County Government Center (HCGC) (300 S. 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN) and may assist the Statewide Self-Help Center.</p> <p>This is a full-time, non-exempt position classified as a Self-Help Center Specialist. Core business hours for this position are 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. This is a hybrid role working both on-site and remotely, depending on business needs and a reliable internet connection will be required if working remotely.</p> <p>The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers a comprehensive benefits package. To learn more about benefits, click here.</p> <p>Example of Duties:</p> <p>The following are examples of major job duties expected for this position to perform:</p> <ul> <li>Provide legal information to Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs) with legal issues that can be addressed in District Court, pursuant to Minnesota Court Rules, General Rules of Practice, Rule 110. Self-Help Programs. </li><li>Provide legal information to Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs) in a variety of settings: in-person, over the phone, via email and web-based technologies. </li><li>Provide information on available legal resources and legal information such as court procedures, legal requirements, forms, and how to prepare for court. </li><li>Identify unmet needs and propose solutions pertaining to Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs) in District Court. </li><li>Develop new forms and instructions, educational approaches, website content, and new approaches to leverage technology to improve access to justice and enhance court efficiency. </li><li>Serve as a resource to the volunteer attorneys and volunteer law students serving Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs) at law clinics. </li></ul> <p>TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:</p> <p>Below are the past experiences that will enable success in the role. For education requirements listed, the equivalent number of years of related experience may serve as a substitute.</p> <p>Minimum Education and Experience:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in social services, law, criminal justice, court administration, paralegal studies, or a related field, and one (1) year of experience in a court or legal setting and experience providing effective customer service,</p> </li><li> <p>OR an equivalent amount of education and relevant experience totaling three (3) years.</p> </li><li> <p>Fluency in English and Somali (speaking, reading, and writing).</p> </li><li> <p>Selected candidate will be required to pass an oral Somali-language proficiency exam.</p> </li></ul> <p>Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:</p> <ul> <li>Knowledge of court procedures and policies, legal documents and terminology, laws, and legal functions pertaining to the court. </li><li>Ability to listen and interpret the nature of a problem and the relevant context in order to apply knowledge of court practices and processes to address individual court customer's issues. </li><li>Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment. </li><li>Ability to simplify legal concepts and terminology to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs). </li><li>Ability to effectively work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with little experience with the judicial system. </li><li>Ability to work in an inclusive, multicultural environment that values diversity and relationships. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree or certification as a paralegal through an approved ABA program or through the PACE or CLA/CP certification exam. </li><li>Experience reading and interpreting legal documents of varying types and complexity and applying knowledge of specific laws, statutes, and rules to individual cases without providing legal advice. </li><li>Knowledge of local legal resources. </li><li>Fluency in a third language. </li><li>Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds. </li><li>Experience creating or reviewing educational materials on legal topics appropriate for web content. </li></ul> <p>SALARY:</p> <p>The expected starting salary range for Self-Help Center Specialist is $29.42-$37.55 ($61,428.96-$78,404.40 annually). The full salary range for the Self-Help Center Specialist position is $29.42-$45.67 ($61,428.96-$95,358.96 annually).</p> <p>This position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for State of Minnesota employee benefits.</p> <p>SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:</p> <ul> <li>Complete and submit your online application with resume and cover letter attached by August 24, 2025, at 11:59pm. </li><li>Interviews may be conducted virtually via Zoom or in Person. </li><li>Please contact our recruitment team with questions regarding this posting via email:?4th.human.resources@courts.state.mn.us; or phone:?612-540-6488. </li><li>All employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory results of a criminal background check. An employment offer may be rescinded if the background check identifies job related convictions. </li></ul>