LEGAL SECRETARY

California Department of Social Services; California; Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Social Services, Legal Division, seeks a permanent full-time Enforcement and Legal Office Support in Riverside. The Legal Secretary provides high-level support to two to four attorneys in a hybrid telework/on-site setting.

Responsibilities include drafting and formatting legal documents, managing calendars, coordinating travel, and handling complex scheduling with senior staff. A background check, 45 wpm typing, and SOQ submission are required.

Qualifications

• Typing speed minimum 45 wpm with certificate.
• Background investigation required prior to hire.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• SOQ must be submitted with your application.
• U.S. work authorization without visa sponsorship required.

Responsibilities

• Type, edit, and format legal documents including pleadings and briefs.
• Maintain calendars and schedule meetings for attorneys and executive staff.
• Arrange travel and prepare travel expense claims.
• Serve legal pleadings in multiple jurisdictions and manage e-files.
• Work independently and in a team under supervision of a Legal Support Supervisor I.

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-535991

Position #(s): 800-310-1282-XXX

Working Title: Enforcement and Legal Office Support

Classification: LEGAL SECRETARY

Salary Range A: $4,371.00 - $5,473.00

Salary Range B: $4,591.00 - $5,748.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Riverside County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging. We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement

We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment

We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person have desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services

We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes

We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Job Description And Duties

The California Department of Social Services, Legal Division, is recruiting to fill one permanent full-time Legal Secretary position in our Riverside location. We have a hybrid (telework and in-office) work environment.

SELECTED CANDIDATE MAY BE ENTITLED TO A RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PAY DIFFERENTIAL FOR THIS DESIGNATED LOCATION.

The Legal Secretary independently and effectively supports two to four attorneys, including senior level staff. The Legal Secretary will perform the most complex secretarial work involving the highest degree of difficulty, sensitivity, and discretion.

The incumbent will type, edit, and format legal correspondence, petitions, briefs and legal opinions, pleadings, motions, testimonials, and depositions; proofread and prepare form letters, files, and e-files; serve legal pleadings in multiple jurisdictions including State, Federal, and Appellate courts. The incumbent maintains calendars for assigned attorneys and must be able to schedule meetings and appointments often including high-level executive staff, independently resolving any scheduling conflicts that arise. In addition, the Legal Secretary will make travel arrangements and prepare travel expense claims and may be assigned special projects for an attorney assigned to a complex case.

The incumbent must have an understanding of difficult technical and legal terms covering a wide variety of disciplines and areas of law. Additionally, the incumbent must be able to analyze and apply rules, regulations, statutes, and laws regarding legal procedures applicable to typing, processing, and serving legal documents.

The Legal Secretary works independently as well as in a team environment with other Legal Secretaries and Senior Legal Typists, under the supervision of a Legal Support Supervisor I.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Please Note

A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information in any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

A current typing certificate (issued within the past four years) verifying typing speed of a minimum of 45 wpm is required for this position.

Applicants must be able to recognize proper English grammar, punctuation, and spelling of written material; read and comprehend legal work material; follow verbal and written instructions; communicate effectively; and be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships. In addition, applicants must be able to work well under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and have excellent attendance and reliability.

Selected candidate will be subject to a criminal record background check clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hiring approval is subject to state civil service SROA/Surplus policies and procedures.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applicants are required to submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678), and a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ must be clearly titled and should not exceed one page and must be completed using Arial (no less than 11 font size).

The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how the applicant’s education, training, experience, and/or skills meet the job description and duty statement for the position. The SOQ will also serve as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please ensure that SOQ is written in a narrative summary as described above, and not in a bullet point type format.

Applications submitted without required documents, or following requested instructions, may not be considered.

Cover letters and resumes are encouraged but will not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.