Legal Secretary II

The Position

The current vacancy is with the Sheriff's Office.

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions in a variety of departments, service areas, and locations throughout the County, should they occur.

Under direct supervision at the I (entry level) and general supervision at the II (journey level), provides specialized, confidential and responsible diversified clerical and technical support in a legal office setting; maintains schedules, handles office details and relieves staff (legal or otherwise) of procedural details.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply.Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Participates in the efficient operation of the assigned area by performing a wide variety of legal secretarial and technical support duties in order to relieve attorneys and other staff of a variety of procedural details. Performs general clerical tasks in support of the department.

• Initiates, updates and maintains case files by creating physical and computerized files on new cases and receiving, assembling, sorting categorizing and storing subsequent, case-related materials either physically in a file or on computer database to ensure that information is current and accessible.

• Prepares a variety of legal documents, including but not limited to subpoenas, warrants, petitions, briefs, motions, citations, and pleadings, by typing from transcription, audio tapes, rough draft, oral instruction, dictation or clear copy; reviews drafts for punctuation, spelling and grammar and makes corrections in order to produce final copies of professional work product.

• Files documents with court offices; processes orders and documents that have been returned by the court; maintains records as required. Mails copies to other parties as appropriate.

• Prepares service packets (summons, complaints, orders, etc.) and forwards to process servers for personal service; tracks service activities and status of summons and complaints.

• Reviews confidential information from a variety of sources and processes related documents; identifies and corrects deletions or errors in accordance with prescribed format; and follows up to secure additional information as needed.

• Determines acceptability of information and proper action to be taken based on established oral or written instructions. Contacts various individuals, agencies or organizations to obtain and relay information; including releases of liens, case settlements, etc.

• Serves as contact/resource person for the area of assignment by screening calls, visitors and mail; responds to complaints and requests for information and assistance from the public, County staff and others by interpreting/explaining regulations, procedures, policies, systems, rules; researches and gathers information to provide accurate answers and information; refers more technical questions or issues to appropriate legal staff.

• Coordinates activities in the area of assignment by maintaining calendars, scheduling attorney/client meetings or meetings between staff and other groups or organizations, arranging for necessary materials to be available at meetings and arranging business travel for management and professional staff to ensure smooth, efficient operations.

• Receives and/or requests discovery and processes information by copying reports, police tapes, photos, etc., requesting further needed information and documenting all actions in order to assist attorneys in case preparation.

• Researches, compiles and organizes information and data from various sources on a variety of specialized topics related to assigned area; assists in a variety of division operations; performs special projects and assignments as requested.

• Logs reports from various agencies by entering information into the computer; searches for prior offenses; organizes information; forwards information to appropriate parties and follows up, as needed.

• Composes and types letters, memoranda and basic reports, utilizing word processing software, from general instructions or information related to assigned responsibilities; reviews drafts for punctuation, spelling and grammar and suggests/makes corrections to drafts; arranges for, or copies, distributes and files.

• Operates a variety of modern office equipment including copiers, computers and related software, word processors, tape recorders, duplicators and printers.

• At the journey level, may train other staff and/or provide back up to other positions within the assigned department or unit.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent, AND, one (1) year full-time experience comparable to a Legal Secretary I with Mendocino County; or, two (2) years of full-time experience providing legal secretarial support involving typing and preparation of legal documents, processing and filing legal documents, calendar coordination and project coordination tasks; ; or an equivalent combination of training and education.

Licenses and Certifications:

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Legal Secretary II

(in addition to knowledge, skills and abilities for Legal Secretary I)

Knowledge of:

• Legal terminology and proper usage and spelling.

• Legal documents commonly used in the area of assignment and their correct usage and formatting.

• Criminal and/or civil legal processes related to area of assignment.

• Applicable state, federal and local statutes, laws, rules and regulations that apply to the area of assignment.

Skill in:

• Drafting and finalizing legal documents from tapes, handwritten notes and information, and preparing other correspondence.

• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.

• Effectively interviewing individuals for the purpose of obtaining information.

• Exercising sound judgement when organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, monitoring workload and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.

• Exercising independent judgment in determining and selecting the appropriate processes, alternatives, forms, and desired actions within scope of established work practices, procedures, and commonly used regulations.

• Communicating to others policies, procedures, statutes, local rules, codes and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.

Mental and Physical Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

• Thoughtfully and courteously respond to the public, other agencies and County personnel regarding information requests and/or policies and procedures for the assigned area.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff, citizens and other departmental staff in order to give and receive information in a courteous manner.

• Use tact and discretion in handling and maintaining sensitive and/or confidential material and information.

• Operate and perform minor upkeep/maintenance of modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.

• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to twenty (20) pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.

• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference "see résumé" will be rejected as incomplete.

• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.

• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.

• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.

• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.

• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.

• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.

• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process:All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing:If you require special testing arrangements to accommodate a disability or religious conviction you must contact Human Resources at 707.234.6600 prior to the test date to make your requirements known. You must provide enough advance notice to allow Human Resources to properly review and evaluate your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY

Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT

Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:

https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE

Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION

Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE

Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE

The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE

For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:

http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:

http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM

For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:

http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS

For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:

http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor