Senior Legal Secretary

Legal Secretary

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans : academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The CPS Law Department provides a full array of legal services to the Chicago Board of Education and the various departments and divisions of Chicago Public Schools. The Labor and Employee Discipline Unit ("L&ED") handles traditional labor law matters and appeals involving unfair labor practice charges and arbitration demands filed by labor organizations. Additionally, the Unit prosecutes employee discipline matters before administrative agencies and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Labor and Employee Discipline Unit's Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Deputy General Counsel, the Legal Secretary will be responsible for secretarial work and routine administrative duties for assigned attorneys. The Senior Legal Secretary will join the Law Department's Labor and Employee Discipline Unit, which represents the District in all phases of administrative hearings and labor arbitrations as well as provides advice to high-level District clients on labor and discipline matters. The Legal Secretary may also perform work for the team's Senior Assistant General Counsels and Assistant General Counsels, the Law Department's Labor Relations team, and the Law Department's Office Manager. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for hours worked on a salary basis.

Responsibilities

This position will be held accountable for the following responsibilities :

• Drafting and mailing tailored compliance letters to employees and victims
• Reviewing investigatory reports to redact certain confidential information
• Obtaining documents, payroll records, and other information to respond to subpoena requests
• Data input and maintaining databases regarding open and closed files in the Unit
• Backup receptionist coverage : answering phones, directing calls to the appropriate parties, and taking messages as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, this position must possess the following qualifications :

Education Required

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Experience Required

Minimum of five (5) years of previous secretarial or clerical work experience in a legal office, required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy while balancing multiple time-sensitive priorities

Excellent organizational skills; demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work in a dynamic, complex, fast-paced environment to meet and manage competing deadlines

Able to take ownership of, and independently manage tasks, timelines and systems, following tasks through to completion with little or no follow-up; knows when to ask questions

Clear, effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speaking, writing, listening)

Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact positively and professionally at all times with team members, other law department staff, executive offices, internal clients and external partners.

Strong typing skills and knowledge of Word, Excel, Google Suite, and CM / ECF E-filing software

Preferably good knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures

Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to :

Establish / Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary / part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.