Job Posting: Enforcement and Legal Office Support

Department of Social Services

JC-218184
-
Enforcement and Legal Office Support
LEGAL SECRETARY

$3,555.00 - $4,675.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 12/1/2020

Job Description and Duties

PLEASE NOTE:  A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ALONG WITH YOUR APPLICATION IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.  PLEASE SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS” SECTION FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS.

“If you have previously applied for this position there is no need to reapply”

The California Department of Social Services, Legal Division, is recruiting to fill one permanent full-time Legal Secretary. THE POSITION IS LOCATED IN OAKLAND, CA.   THE SELECTED CANDIDATE MAY BE ENTITLED TO A RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PAY DIFFERENTIAL FOR THIS LOCATION.

The Legal Secretary will independently and effectively work for two to four Attorneys, Assistant Chief Counsels, and/or Senior Assistant Chief Counsels and will perform the most complex secretarial work involving the highest degree of difficulty, sensitivity and discretion.  The incumbent will type, edit and format legal correspondence, petitions, briefs and legal opinions, pleadings, motions, testimonials and depositions; proofread and prepare form letters, files, and e-files; serve legal pleadings in multiple jurisdictions including State, Federal, and Appellate courts.  The incumbent maintains calendars for assigned attorneys and must be able to schedule meetings and appointments often including high-level executive staff, independently resolving any scheduling conflicts that arise.  In addition, the Legal Secretary will make travel arrangements and prepare travel expense claims and may be assigned special projects for an attorney assigned to a complex case.

The incumbent must have an understanding of difficult technical and legal terms covering a wide variety of disciplines and areas of law.  Additionally, the incumbent must be able to analyze and apply rules, regulations, statutes and laws regarding legal procedures applicable to typing, processing, and serving legal documents.

The Legal Secretary works independently as well as in a team environment with other Legal Secretaries and Senior Legal Typists, under the supervision of a Legal Support Supervisor I.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The Oakland, Eastbay location is very convenient, as well as picturesque!  The CDSS is located In the Elihu Harris State Building which is two short blocks from the Bay Area Rapid Transit, (BART) and other public transportation options; within walking distance to the beautiful Lake Merritt (for an afternoon walk or run); across the street from the Frank Ogawa Plaza which host various restaurants, and shopping.  A block away from Oakland City Center, which also hosts numerous restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, flower shops and copy service shops.  A few blocks down, across from the Oakland Marriot Convention Center, there is a wonderful Farmer’s Market each Friday, where fresh fruit and vegetables and delicious prepared foods can be purchased.  This location is also down the street from the new “Uptown Oakland” which is comprised of several tech friendly shops, restaurants, art venues and “First Fridays” are hosted each month.  The building has an onsite cafeteria, a Golden 1 Credit Union, an optometry office, three cafés and a Pacific Gas and Electric office.  This location also offers a bike storage area, a shower room, and onsite day care services. Our building has easy access to I-880, I-580, Highway 24 and Highway 80.  Blocks away from the beautiful Jack London Square and the Paramount and Fox Theater.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-218184
Position #(s):
800-310-1282-002
Working Title:
Enforcement and Legal Office Support
Classification:
LEGAL SECRETARY
$3,555.00 - $4,451.00 A
$3,733.00 - $4,675.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Alameda County
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals?  Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment?  The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids and protects needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and foster independence.  CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California’s needy and vulnerable children and families. 

The state hiring process.  Successful applicants will have passed an examination for this classification or be an existing State Employee with transfer eligibility and will have followed the instructions under the Special Requirements and Required Application Documents section.  Electronic applications are encouraged, and hardcopy applications will be accepted. Hardcopy applications must include the Job Control and Position numbers in the “Explanation” section and be signed and dated. 

Special Requirements

A current typing certificate (issued within the past four years) verifying typing speed of a minimum of 45 wpm is required for this position.

Applicants must be able to recognize proper English grammar, punctuation and spelling of written material; read and comprehend legal work material; follow verbal and written instructions; communicate effectively; and be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships. In addition, applicants must be able to work well under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and have excellent attendance and reliability.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS:

STD. 678 job application and a one page (12-point type), SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ). A cover letter and resume may be submitted but are not required. The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how the applicant’s education, training, experience, and skills meet the job description and duty statement for the position. The SOQ will also serve as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Applications submitted without required documents may not be considered.

Requirements: You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the recruitment process if the employment history is not complete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

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 considered limited term, 12 months, and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 12/1/2020

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Social Services
Attn: Certification Unit, MS 8-15-58
P.O.Box 944243
Sacramento, CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Certification Unit
744 P Street, MS 8-15-58
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Kim Yarbrough
(916) 653-0514
Kimberly.Yarbrough@dss.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

COVID-19 PLP 2020

NOTE:  Salaries do not reflect reductions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Information for actual reductions is available in the Human Resources Manual, Section 2113, Personal Leave Program (PLP) at http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.