Legal Assistant II

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS

ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.

The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.

The City of Torrance is recruiting for a Legal Assistant II to be part of the City Attorney's Office!

The Department

The City Attorney advises and represents the City Council and City departments on all legal matters in which they are involved and prosecutes state law misdemeanors and Municipal Code violations that occur within the City of Torrance. To accomplish this goal, the office is divided into three divisions: General Advice, Civil Litigation and Criminal Prosecution.

The Position

As a Legal Assistant II, you will be entrusted with complex legal tasks under the direction of experienced legal professionals. From drafting legal documents to conducting research and maintaining case files, your contributions will directly impact the success of our legal initiatives.

 The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of performing complex legal secretarial tasks with accuracy and speed. As a Legal Assistant II, you will play a crucial role in supporting our legal team by handling a variety of responsibilities, including transcription, document preparation, file management, and communication. 

For more information about the duties of the position, click here.   Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that would have provided the required knowledge and skills is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

High school graduation or equivalent. Four years of recent experience in a law office or criminal justice setting as a Legal Assistant or Secretary; or two years of experience as a Legal Assistant or Secretary that included civil litigation and completion of a paralegal program that required a minimum of one year of study.  Recent experience in civil litigation  and a public agency is preferred.

License and/or Certificates

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License and safe driving record may be required for assignment to some positions in the classification.

Certification as a Paralegal is preferred.

Ideal Candidate

In addition to the above requirements, the most successful candidate will possess the following:

• Experience and proficiency in civil litigation, including but not limited to:

• Drafting pleadings, discovery and correspondence;

• Preparing court filings, calendaring, service of process; and

• Summarizing records and discovery, issuing and tracking subpoenas, scheduling depositions, coordinating with experts, and trial preparation.

• Positive attitude, and professional office, telephone and e-mail etiquette;

• Excellent organizational, multitasking and self-starter abilities;

• High level of discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality;

• Proficiency in using computer software commonly used in a law office; and

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs.

Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position is filled. First review of applications will be those received by Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.  If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.

Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department's needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following weighted components:

Written Exam (50%): Tentatively scheduled for July 1, 2024

Interview Panel (50%): Tentatively scheduled for July 10, 2024

Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about the City of Torrance.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources.  If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 no later than five (5) business days before the test date.  For further information, click here.

As a condition of employment, candidates must pass a background check.

In addition, the City of Torrance Conflict of Interest Code requires that employees in this classification file an annual Financial Disclosure Statement. Information about this requirement may be obtained from the City Clerk's office.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

City of Torrance Inclusion Statement

The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!