LEGAL SECRETARY
Department of TransportationLos Angeles County, USJob Description and Duties
Under the direction of a Legal Support Supervisor I or Staff Services Manager I, the Legal Secretary will provide secretarial support in a fast-paced legal office of the Legal Division, which consists of litigation and house counsel / transactional attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and administrative staff in the following major specialties of law; Tort, Construction Arbitration, Environmental, Contracts, Employment, Real Property, Inverse Condemnation, legal opinions, and administrative matters. Traditionally each Legal Secretary is assigned to two to four attorneys, but may provide clerical support and assistance to other profession staff. Legal Secretaries are assigned to a team for back-up purposes and assistance with overflow work.
The Caltrans Legal Division is comprised of five offices statewide including its headquarters office near the State Capitol in Sacramento and branches in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Fresno. We have statewide administrative (legal support) committee with members from each office to facilitate information sharing and networking. The Los Angeles Legal Office is a mid-size legal office with approximately 40 attorneys handling legal matters for Caltrans’ districts which include District 7 (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties) and portions of District 8 (San Bernardino County). Our overall environment is both supportive and challenging where employees are given substantial responsibility at every stage of their career. As an employee of the State of California, the Caltrans Legal Division offers excellent compensation and benefits packages. This includes holidays, vacation, and sick leave (or annual leave) and health, dental, vision and pension benefits.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Legal Secretary exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and / or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click and search by typing in the classification title.
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The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
PARF# 42-4-297 / JC-434483
You will find additional information about the job in the .
Working Conditions
Position located in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County.
While at their base of operation, employees will work in a climate-controlled office under artificial light. However, due to periodic problems with the heating and air conditioning, the building temperature may fluctuate. Position occasionally requires travel to Division's Legal Offices and elsewhere for training and working related purposes.
Telework may be available, but time in the office will be required.
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a(n) Typing Certificate. You will be required to provide a copy of your certificate prior to being hired.
A current typing certificate (Issued within the past four years) verifying typing speed of a minimum of 45 wpm is required for this position.
Please submit the Standard State Application (STD 678).
Possessionof Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and / orappointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you mustinclude your unofficial transcript(s) / diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted andmay be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreigntranscripts / degrees must provide a transcript / degree U.S. equivalency reportevaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign courseworkis equivalent. Here is a list of evaluation agencies : . Please redactbirthdates and social security numbers.
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.
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.