Legal Secretary

WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA has a rich history of community-led advocacy impacting farmworkers, indigenous populations, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBTQ+ communities, women, children, and low-income families in rural areas. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income people annually. CRLA seeks individuals who embody our values of being committed to justice, compassionate, radical, and community-led to join the front lines across rural California in our mission to dismantle unjust systems through community lawyering.

The Community Equity Initiative (CEI) is a CRLA program focused on disadvantaged unincorporated communities and their infrastructure and environmental justice legal needs. CEI’s work focuses on long-term cases representing community groups in complex matters which can add additional complexities to maintaining case files. The Tulare office, where the Legal Secretary will be located, will be CRLA’s newest office opening in July 2024. CRLA is looking for a highly organized Legal Secretary who enjoys working with community residents and as part of a larger team.

• Position: Legal Secretary
• Experience: 1 + years of experience as a Legal Secretary or equivalent experience providing administrative support
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: Tulare, Fresno, Salinas, Modesto Office
• Other: FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position, Full-Time

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drafts a variety of legal correspondence, forms, petitions, pleadings, motions, and discovery and informational material.
• Types, reviews, and independently composes outgoing correspondence to ensure all legal documents/enclosures are in proper processing order and that correspondence is grammatically correct.
• Files documents with the court and stay updated with changes in local court rules and procedural requirements for litigation.
• Maintains records relating to legal matters in process and ensures that legal requirements and deadlines are met.
• Performs various responsible secretarial duties such as setting up and/or maintaining filing systems and appointment calendars, answering inquiries over the phone or in person, and managing secretarial and administrative details with minimum direction.
• Operates a variety of office machines.
• Input case and project information into CMS, including time records, calendaring, and other information as directed.
• Provides support to and works closely with the CEI Administrative Legal Secretary as needed.
• Assists with library maintenance.
• Performs other normal law office duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• At least one year of legal secretarial experience or equivalent.
• Type 55-60 w.p.m.
• Knowledge of computer software, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Windows.
• WordPerfect, Microsoft Office Suite, Table of Authorities, Internet & email skills.
• Ability to learn data entry and correctly enter information into CRLA’s case management system.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn and obtain proficiency in all office equipment functions such as copiers, fax, and scanners.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all CRLA staff, clients, and community organizations.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality at all times.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish).

Preferred Education and Experience--A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

• Experience working with low-income families and communities.
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
• Prior experience in legal services.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Generous paid leave policy which includes; 15 days of sick leave, 12 days of wellness day off, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA). This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California "LSWRC" ), and the estimated starting hourly range for this position is $22.56 - $34.41 (placement in the range is primarily determined by years of related experience). The employee will be entitled to an ALS premium pay of $145.00 per pay period and may qualify for a multilingual differential pay of $70 for oral and $50 for written, on a pay period basis. 

CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.

APPLICATION:

CRLA invites all applicants to submit their resume and in their cover letter a statement about how their unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

California Rural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.