Legal Clerk I - SR-10

Performs routine, standardized legal clerical work in preparing, typing, maintaining, and processing legal forms, documents, and related materials; assists with the more difficult tasks under closer supervision for the purpose of training; and performs other related duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 06/30/2025 with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney - Victim/Witness Unit in Kailua-Kona.

NOTE:  Extension of position beyond June 30, 2025 will depend on available funding.  Grant funded positions are considered "temporary" and have a specific end date noted.  Funding for these grants have continued for years, and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney anticipates no changes in receiving this funding.  Because grants are not guaranteed, positions must be defined as temporary.   

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

• Participates in preparing and processing a variety of legal forms, documents, and related materials following established procedures.
• Sorts, matches, compiles, and processes court and law enforcement forms and documents.
• Operates a typewriter or word processing equipment to type or prepare such materials as letters, memoranda, reports, briefs, legal opinions, resolutions, ordinances, petitions, affidavits, motions, summonses, subpoenas, and other legal forms and documents following specific instructions, precedents, and procedures.
• Files correspondence, documents, and other materials in various case and subject matter files in accordance with established office practices and procedures.
• Operates computer equipment to verify, input, locate, and/or abstract case and other data.
• Searches files to obtain information or materials as requested.
• Provides routing information over the phone or in person.
• Refers callers or visitors to appropriate staff members, sections, or supervision.
• May take and transcribe dictation as required.

Training and Experience: 
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from high school, and 
• two (2) years of clerical experience, of which 
• one (1) year must have involved clerical and typing work in a law office, and
• possession of a State of Hawai`i driver's license (class 3) or other comparable driver's license at time of filing, as applicable to position. You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire, if the position requires a driver's license. (The immediate vacancy with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney does not require a valid driver's license.)

• Legal Secretary or Paralegal Certificate from an accredited college or university may be substituted for six (6) months of the required experience;
• an Associates degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Administration of Justice, Business Administration, Communications, Criminal Justice, English, Paralegal Studies, or Political Science may be substituted for lack of the required experience on a year for year basis (examples: 30 college credits equals one (1) year of experience, an Associates degree or higher in the above disciplines can be substituted for all two (2) years of the required experience).  Scan and attach official college transcript to be credited for the substitution of experience.

Examination:   All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points.  An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully.  Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score.  It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.   

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application. 

Note:   In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency.  If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of:  common legal terminology, procedures, practices, forms, and documents; filing methods and systems; grammar, spelling, and word usage; office practices and procedures.

Ability to:  prepare and type or keyboard documents, legal forms and other materials accurately; applicants may be required to demonstrate ability by satisfactorily passing a performance exercise at the time of interview; as applicable to specific position, take and transcribe notes accurately;  applicants may be required to demonstrate ability by satisfactorily passing a performance exercise at the time of interview; maintain legal records; learn to use word processing and computer equipment; learn the various types of court actions and associated processes; work within constant time constraints and deadlines; deal effectively with other employees, attorneys, and the public.

Physical Requirements:  Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping:  Light

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package.  Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements:  Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours.  (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)    
• Vacation:  Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave:  Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays:  The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development:  The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.        
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program:  You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.  
• Retirement Plan:  The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation:  Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan:  Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans:  The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP):  This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance:  Free life insurance policy for active employees.  
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves:  You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification, 
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,