Senior Legal Assistant (Civil Litigation Option)
City of Chula Vista See More Job Openings by This Employer
- Description and Essential Functions
The Office of the Chula Vista City Attorney is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Legal Assistant to join the Civil Litigation Team. This position will provide a variety of complex secretarial and legal assistant services to the City’s Civil Litigation Section.
This position will be receiving a 5% increase effective July 11, 2025.
The ideal candidate will have:- Public agency experience;
- Proficiency in the civil litigation processes, including but not limited to calendaring, e-filing (in federal and state court), civil discovery and service processes;
- Proficiency in Word and Excel;
- Knowledge of The Brown Act
- Knowledge of San Diego Superior Court and Southern District Local Rules
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: perform, lead, and oversee legal and administrative assistant services, with an emphasis on civil litigation and government tort claims management support, including tracking and processing staff and outside counsel billing; prepare civil litigation pleadings, briefs, affidavits, discovery, ordinances and other legal documents and correspondence, memoranda and reports from stenographic notes, brief written and verbal instructions, recorded material or other materials; file or arrange for the filing of legal briefs and other necessary paperwork with state and federal court or e-filing service; conduct efficient and timely review of government tort claims and ensure regulatory compliance with local and state regulations in the communication with claimants, process any required payments, and coordinate with Senior Risk Management Specialist responsible for claims and insurance regarding reserve amounts; maintain and manage the civil litigation calendar and coordinate appointments, including all correspondence and necessary logistics; conduct efficient and timely review of subpoenas and Public Records Act Requests, including coordinating with City departments for depositions and document retrieval as well as reviewing documents for removal of confidential information; receive and screen visitors and telephone calls, provide information related to general and specific policies, processes and functions of the department or refer to appropriate staff person, which may require the use of judgement and interpretation of policies and procedures; process a variety of documents including, but not limited to, legal agreements, contracts, and staff reports following attorney's instructions; draft a wide variety of documents in varying stages of completion including both general and legal-related correspondence; respond to citizen complaints by referring to appropriate staff or agency or by researching legal documents, references, and codes; initiate specified correspondence such as transmittal letters and complaints independently for signature by appropriate staff; review finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, compliance with policies and procedures, and appropriate English usage; organize and maintain chronological and other files; relieve attorneys of certain administrative matters by following up on projects, transmitting information, keeping informed of pertinent activities, and scheduling and arranging for meetings; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; perform related duties as assigned.- Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: three (3) years of increasingly responsible journey level administrative and secretarial experience in a civil litigation setting AND training equivalent to completion of twelfth grade preferably supplemented by course work in legal, business or a related field. Public entity experience is highly desirable.
Note: Applicants must attach a resume and cover letter to be considered.- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: California Code of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for calendaring purposes; California Government Tort Claims procedures; civil litigation processes, including but not limited to: calendaring, e-filing (in Federal and state court), civil discovery and service processes; standard office administrative and secretarial practices and procedures, including business letter writing; legal office terminology, processes, procedures and the format for legal documents; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary; standard office software including word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation; basic business arithmetic. Ability to: use a personal computer and word processing and spreadsheet software; draft pleadings and other legal documents from stenographic notes, brief instructions, prior documents or other materials; provide varied and responsible secretarial and office administrative assistance to one or more attorneys; use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines; analyze and resolve office administrative situations and problems; type at a speed necessary for successful job performance; research and compile a variety of informational materials; maintain accurate legal records and files; organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up assignments with a minimum of direction; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Sit for long periods of time at a work station; operate a computer keyboard, typewriter and/or a fax machine; file documents and/or files weighing up to 10 lbs.; read typical business documents; answer phones and customer inquiries; type on a keyboard and/or typewriter; file or retrieve documents or files weighing up to 10 lbs. from large filing cabinets both above shoulder height and below; and do simple mathematics. Primary work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices and meetings. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquiries.- Additional Information
Recruitment No. 25246305CL
To be considered, applicants must submit a City Application, resume, and cover letter by 12:00 p.m. on the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail.
Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. Please attach a resume and cover letter.
Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. Note that the examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review.Note: The eligibility list established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.
- $5,771.76 - $7,015.60/month
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