legal secretary

Job Description and Duties

This is a re-post. If you previously applied, there is no need to re-apply as your application is on file and will be considered.

We need legal secretaries Come work for the State of California in a fun legal office, doing important work for the people of California. We are the Department of Industrial Relations, Office of the Director Legal Unit ("OD Legal"). Our legal secretaries primarily support the work of attorneys who handle a special type of workers' compensation cases; they also provide legal support work in civil and administrative litigation, hearing officer cases, and other interesting areas. Our office is relaxed and supportive. Please read the full job description below:Under the general supervision of the Legal Support Supervisor, Legal Secretaries independently perform a full range of legal secretarial duties for the Department of Industrial Relations, Office of the Director Legal Unit ("OD Legal""), including the most difficult complex secretarial work, supporting two or more OD Legal attorneys and investigators. Duties include, but not limited to: Finalize legal pleadings and other legal documents, including by formatting, proofing, correcting,generating tables of contents and authorities, and drafting proofs of service; Electronically file legal pleadings in the workers' compensation system (using EAMS), in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and in the State Personnel Board; Serve legal pleadings and other documents on other parties to an action; Review applicable court rules to ensure pleadings, exhibits and other documents comply; Organize, file, and serve trial exhibits; Maintain up-to-date appearance and filing calendars; Coordinate depositions, including by arranging for location and court reporter; Prepare and serve subpoenas; Create and maintain paper and electronic case files; Process attorneys' incoming and outgoing mail; Answer and screen telephone calls; Make travel arrangements for attorneys using State "Concur" system, and process attorneytravel expense reimbursements, using State "CalATERS" system; General support of the office and organizational needs of OD Legal.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Legal Secretary job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at:
The Elihu Harris State Building
1515 Clay Street, Suite 701
Oakland, California.

This is a full-time position located in the Department of Industrial Relations, Office of the Director Legal Unit ("OD Legal"). The building is 22 stories tall and houses offices for several State of California agencies. The Legal Secretary works in a seated cubicle. This position requires extensive use of a computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse throughout the day.

This is a non-exempt, full-time, permanent position. Employees in this position work eight hours per day; generally, the hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, with a one-hour lunch. There is some flexibility as to the exact schedule, which will be discussed with the supervisor. This is an in-office position. Use of elevators is mandatory, as the stairwells are locked for security reasons. Access to the building requires a security badge, which is issued to all employees. Members of the public must go through a metal detector; employees who forget their badges must do the same.

Special Requirements

This position, supporting a legal unit, requires professionalism, discretion, adherence to confidentiality requirements, attention to detail, the ability to accurately follow instructions, reliable attendance, the ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and tone in written communications, and the ability to type at least 45 words per minute. The ability to use a computer and full proficiency in the functions of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Adobe for the creation and finalization of formal legal documents, calendaring and email are essential. Strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize among multiple tasks, keep track of deadlines and ensure work is completed in a timely manner, and the ability to work under deadlines are all essential.

In order to apply for this position, you must submit a cover letter and resume, in addition to the State Application Form. In your cover letter, please briefly describe your reasons for applying and your qualifications for the position. You must obtain a valid typing certificate confirming your ability to meet the minimum typing speed of at least 45 words per minute, prior to being hired. Please be thorough, accurate, and detailed when filling out your State application form for this position. We read applications carefully and will be looking for candidates who put the same care into their application that they would bring to their work in the job. 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 TDD 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.

TDD ​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.

​

---