Judicial Assistant

Judicial Branch of California; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Dental/Vision benefits program

14 paid holidays per calendar year

Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave

1 personal holiday per year

Commuting cost assistance up to $130/月

CalPERS Retirement Plan

401(k) and 457 plans

Employee Assistance Program

Life and AD&D Insurance

FlexElect Program

Long Term Disability Program

Group Legal Plan

Job summary

The State of California, Court of Appeal, Division Three of the Fourth Appellate District seeks a Judicial Assistant in Santa Ana. The role provides paralegal and secretarial support to appellate justices and attorneys, with duties ranging from case management to complex legal research and document preparation.

Applicants should meet the stated education/experience paths and may substitute additional related experience for formal requirements.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to six years of legal secretarial experience, incl. four years of legal research.
• Bachelor’s degree and two years of legal secretarial experience with research.
• Experience substitute pathways may apply with related work in CA courts.

Responsibilities

• Provide complex paralegal, legal secretarial and office support to appellate court justices.
• Manage schedules, calendar events and deadlines with accuracy.
• Research and verify legal documents and prepare related materials.

Skills

Judicial knowledge

Legal office practices

Legal research

Calendar management

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Legal secretarial experience

Tools

Case management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The State of California, Court of Appeal, Division Three of the Fourth Appellate District located in Santa Ana is accepting applications for the position of Judicial Assistant.

This on-site/in-person position provides complex paralegal, legal secretarial and office administrative support to appellate court justices and attorneys. The Judicial Assistant serves the entire division and is assigned as needed to substitute during illnesses, vacations and other absences as well as to assist with added workload assignments and special projects. The Court offers a generous compensation and benefits package, including opportunities for remote work and flexible scheduling, subject to the direction and approval of the justice or supervisor.

Highlights of our benefits package include:

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month for qualifying commuting costs
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Knowledge of:

• General functions and organization of the judicial system and the roles and functions of other legal and law enforcement agencies.
• Legal and administrative office practices and procedures.
• Complex legal concepts, terminology, principles, and procedures.
• Methods of complex legal research (traditional and electronic).
• Calendar management and scheduling.
• Computers and the use of computer applications.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation, with emphasis on legal terminology.

Ability to:

• Learn California trial and appellate court practices and procedures.
• Verify the accuracy of complex legal documents and research (traditional and electronic).
• Understand, interpret and apply complex legal concepts, terminology, principles, and procedures.
• Operate computers and other standard office equipment, using standard business software and automated case management systems; interpret and apply technical manuals and tutorials.
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work activities and meet critical deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
  Maintain confidentiality; use tact, discretion and courtesy in dealing with sensitive materials and situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including justices, court staff, and representatives of other governmental and private agencies.
• Train others in policies and procedures related to work.
• Communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing; learn the California Style Manual.

Minimum Qualifications:

Equivalent to six (6) years of legal secretarial experience, including four (4) years of technical legal research.

OR

Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of legal secretarial experience, including technical legal research.

Additional directly related experience and/or college-level coursework may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for either of the paths outlined above.

OR

One (1) year as a Deputy Clerk OR two (2) years as a Lead Judicial Secretary or Assistant Deputy Clerk III OR three (3) years as a Judicial Secretary II with the judicial branch.

Equivalent years of experience performing the duties of a class comparable in the level of responsibility to the classes listed above in a California Superior Court or California state-level government entity also qualify.

Desirable Qualifications:

Ability to accurately type 55 words per minute