LEGAL SECRETARY

California Department of Social Services; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Social Services in Los Angeles County is seeking a permanent, full-time Legal Secretary within the Legal Division. The role supports two to four attorneys, handles complex typing, and manages court filings across jurisdictions in a hybrid work setting.

The position requires strong secretarial skills, familiarity with legal terminology, calendar coordination, travel arrangements, and ability to work under pressure.

Qualifications

• Typing, editing, and formatting legal documents.
• Type and file pleadings in multiple jurisdictions.
• Manage attorneys' calendars and scheduling.
• Arrange travel and prepare expense claims.

Responsibilities

• Draft and format legal correspondence, petitions, briefs, and opinions.
• Serve pleadings in State, Federal, and Appellate courts.
• Maintain calendars and arrange meetings with executives.
• Coordinate travel and prepare expense claims.
• Analyze and apply legal procedures and terms.

Skills

Legal secretarial support

Calendar management

Legal terminology

Travel arrangements

Document formatting

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-534853

Position #(s): 800-310-1282-006

Working Title: Enforcement and Legal Office Support

Classification: LEGAL SECRETARY

Salary: $4,371.00 - $5,473.00 A, $4,591.00 - $5,748.00 B

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Los Angeles County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

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

Workplace requirement: This position does require the employee to report to the office 4 days a week and should Telework cease to exist then the employee would be required to report to the office 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 Monterey Park 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.

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.

Application Materials Required

INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS:

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. Cover letters and resumes are encouraged but will not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.
4. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history. If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.
5. Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

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 work place.

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.