LEGAL SECRETARY
Department of Social ServicesLos Angeles County, USJob Description and Duties
The California Department of Social Services, Legal Division, is recruiting to fill onepermanent full-time Legal Secretary position in our MONTEREY PARK LOCATION.We have a hybrid (telework and in-office) work environment. This position may be filledat Senior Legal Typist level for recruitment purposes.
SELECTED CANDIDATE MAY BE ENTITLED TO A RECRUITMENT ANDRETENTION 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 complexsecretarial work involving the highest degree of difficulty, sensitivity, and discretion.
The incumbent will type, edit, and format legal correspondence, petitions, briefs andlegal opinions, pleadings, motions, testimonials, and depositions; proofread and prepareform letters, files, and e-files; serve legal pleadings in multiple jurisdictions includingState, Federal, and Appellate courts. The incumbent maintains calendars for assignedattorneys and must be able to schedule meetings and appointments often includinghigh-level executive staff, independently resolving any scheduling conflicts that arise. Inaddition, the Legal Secretary will make travel arrangements and prepare travel expenseclaims and may be assigned special projects for an attorney assigned to a complexcase.
The incumbent must have an understanding of difficult technical and legal termscovering a wide variety of disciplines and areas of law. Additionally, the incumbentmust be able to analyze and apply rules, regulations, statutes, and laws regarding legalprocedures applicable to typing, processing, and serving legal documents.
The Legal Secretary works independently as well as in a team environment with otherLegal Secretaries and Senior Legal Typists, under the supervision of a Legal SupportSupervisor I.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
LEGAL SECRETARY
Either I
Experience : One year of experience in the California state service performing the dutiesof a Senior Legal Typist, Range B.
Or II
Experience : Two years of experience in a private law firm, corporate law office, or alegal program in a governmental agency performing a full range of legal secretarialduties, 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 therequired experience on the basis of either (a) one year of the general education beingequivalent to three months of the required experience; or (b) one year of education of abusiness or commercial nature being equivalent to six months of the requiredexperience; or (2) Completion of a certificated legal secretarial program at either aregionally accredited college or a business school approved by the Bureau of PrivatePostsecondary and Vocational Education and accredited by the Accrediting Council forIndependent Colleges and Schools may be substituted for one year of the requiredexperience.]
Candidates who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement for thisclass will be admitted to this examination, but they must fully meet the experiencerequirement 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.
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 Please include the job classification and job control number in the subject line.
You will find additional information about the job in the .
Special Requirements
A current typing certificate (issued within the past four years) verifying typing speed of aminimum of 45 wpm is required for this position.
Applicants must be able to recognize proper English grammar, punctuation, and spellingof written material; read and comprehend legal work material; follow verbal and writteninstructions; communicate effectively; and be able to establish and maintain effectiveworking 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 bythe Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hiring approval issubject to state civil service SROA / Surplus policies and procedures.
INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONMATERIALS :
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 notexceed 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 clearlyand concisely in writing. Please ensure that SOQ is written in a narrative summary asdescribed above, and not in a bullet point type format. Applications submitted withoutrequired documents, or following requested instructions, may not be considered.Cover letters and resumes are encouraged but will not take the place of the Statementof Qualifications.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process mustrequest the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The requestshould be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regardingreasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this jobposting.
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.
California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description Additional Information New Employee Benefits Orientation Page
Summary review of benefits available to you as a new State Civil Service employee. State Civil Service Act
Review the benefits and protections provided to State Civil Service employees through the State Civil Service Act.
Salaries and Civil Service Pay Scales
Information regarding salary ranges for State Civil Service employees, as well as the Civil Service Pay Scales, the official salaries for all state jobs.
Represented Employee Bargaining Contracts
Review the specifics of represented state employee collective bargaining contracts.
Retirement
Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation. CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees.
401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)
Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.
California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - Specific Benefits Specific Benefits Additional Information
Cash In Lieu of Health and / or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)
Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and / or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and / or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.
Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance – for Excluded Employees Only
Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.
Commute Program
Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.
Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)
Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.
Death Benefits
Benefits available to legal survivors and / or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.
Planning Ahead Handbook | Dental Benefits
Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.
Employee Assistance Program
Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.
- 866) EAP-4SOC
California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description Additional Information
Group Legal Services Insurance
Voluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs. Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
Group Long-Term Disability Insurance – For Excluded Employees Only
Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury.
Health Benefits
Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage.
CalPERS Health and Wellness
Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being.
Long-Term Care Program
Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members.
Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program
Offers a retirement savings program for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who are not covered by CalPERS or Social Security.
Reimbursement Accounts
Allows you to set pre-taxed money aside in a reimbursement account to pay for certain kinds of medical and dependent care expenses. You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income.
Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program
Allows you to deduct a specific pre-tax amount for work-related parking fees from your pay. Available to employees who drive a personal vehicle to work or to a location from which the employee commutes to work and pays for parking.
Vision Benefits
Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.