LEGAL SECRETARY

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 flexible schedules in a hybrid (remote / 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: LEGAL SECRETARY Either I Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Senior Legal Typist, Range B.
Or II Experience: Two years of experience in a private law firm, corporate law office, or a legal program in a governmental agency performing a full range of legal secretarial duties, which requires the preparation of legal documents for filing and service.
[(1) Academic education above the 12th grade may be substituted for six months of the required experience on the basis of either (a) one year of the general education being equivalent to three months of the required experience; or (b) one year of education of a business or commercial nature being equivalent to six months of the required experience; or (2) Completion of a certificated legal secretarial program at either a regionally accredited college or a business school approved by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education and accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
] (Candidates who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement for this class will be admitted to this examination, but they must fully meet the experience requirement before being eligible for appointment.
) The state offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, long-term care and disability insurance, as well as paid leave.
Please see the Benefits section below for more details.
Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees! Need help understanding the examination and hiring process? Do you have a question about CDSS? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us at Recruiter@dss.
ca.
gov.
Please include the job classification and job control number in the subject line.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Job Code #: JC-411715 Position #(s): 800-310-1282-011 Working Title: Enforcement and Legal Office Support Classification: LEGAL SECRETARY $4,120.
00 - $5,159.
00 A $4,327.
00 - $5,418.
00 B Work Location: Los Angeles 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 California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids and protects needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and foster independence.
CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California’s needy and vulnerable children and families.
CDSS Culture CDSS’ goal is to foster a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion within our Department, that actively invites the contribution and participation of all people, and is representative of the varied identities and different perspectives in California.
In our role as public administrators, our charge is to ensure that our programs and our workplaces provide all Californians the opportunity to thrive.
Special Requirements Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.
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 candidates 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 size 12 font.
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.
Applications submitted without required documents may not be considered.
Cover letters and resumes are encouraged but will not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date to be considered.
Who may apply: Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, eligible for a Training and Development assignment, have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility, or have list eligibility (or are in the process of obtaining list eligibility).
SROA and Surplus candidates may attach “surplus letters” to their applications.
Applicants must meet any Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected for an interview.
Please submit the following items with your application.
Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job.
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.
* Completed State Employment Application Form (STD 678).
Include the Job Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title for Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 1 of the STD 678.
Applications received without Job Title listed may not be considered.
* Statement of Qualifications (Instructions referenced above) 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.
This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.
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 not complete.
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.
Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment.
Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.
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.
Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered.
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 1/24/2024 Who May Apply Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available).
SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.
Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting.
Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.
CalCareers.
ca.
gov.
When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.
If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below: Address for Mailing Application Packages You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to: Department of Social Services Attn: Classification & Pay Unit P.
O.
Box 944243 Sacramento, CA 94244-2430 Address for Drop-Off Application Packages You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at: Department of Social Services Classification & Pay Unit 744 P Street, MS 8-15-58 Sacramento, CA 95814 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM Required Application Package Documents The following items are required to be submitted with your application.
Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: 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.
Benefits There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.
Transportation Reimbursement of 75% is available to eligible employees, reimbursement is not to exceed $100, and employee must provide proof of transportation pass payment.
Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees! Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact: Kim Yarbrough (916) 653-0514 Kimberly.
Yarbrough@dss.
ca.
gov Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.
You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact: EEO Office (916) 657-2326 EEOoffice@dss.
ca.
gov California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Examination Information Those interested in obtaining employment with the California Department of Social Services must apply and compete through the State recruitment process.
Applicants who successfully pass the examination will be placed on an eligibility list used to recruit for positions.
To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement: CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination, except when your list eligibility expires.
For questions regarding the examination process and/or career opportunities with the California Department of Social Services, please contact the Examination Unit at examinations@dss.
ca.
gov.
Applicant Survey Please let us know how you learned about this career opportunity by taking the brief survey that follows: Recruitment Survey Do not include any confidential information on 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.
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.