Legal Assistant I/II

Section:                                 Attorney Resource Center/Civil Law Division

Class:                                     Legal Assistant I/II

Location:                               Pittsburgh

Telework:                              Following necessary training, you may have the opportunity to telework up to 3 days per week. This position will require you to report to the headquartered location. Individuals permitted to telework must have a computer/laptop and internet access.

Position Type:                      Full-time, Non-civil service, Union

Work Hours:                         8:30 – 5:00

Salary Range:                       Legal Assistant I starting salary of $40,685

                                               Legal Assistant II starting salary of $45,907

Basic Function

The primary role of this position is to provide support for the Civil Law Division. Assignments are received through the Attorney Resource Center (ARC) Ticketing system from Civil Law Division attorneys and investigators as needed. Work entails the performance of legal clerical activities executed by using independent judgment. Skilled typing and processing of legal documents is required. 

This position performs clerical support as needed to all sections within the Civil Law Division that are involved in representing Commonwealth agencies, officials, and employees in federal, state, and circuit courts and the Supreme Court of the United States. The cases are based on a variety of issues such as federal constitutional, federal statutory, state statutory, common law, tort, tax, and bankruptcy claims and appeals from the lower court cases.

• Types documents from handwritten draft, from either oral or taped dictation, or from original source documents into draft or final form
• Proofreads documents/correspondence to ensure that information is grammatically correct, complete, and consistent and adheres to agency rules and regulations
• Opens, maintains, closes, and archives cases
• Electronically files documents in all Pennsylvania and federal courts
• Assists with the pick-up and delivery of legal documents from/to the appropriate court
• Inputs data into the appropriate computer systems and retrieves same when needed 
• Makes travel arrangements for attorneys and/or subpoenaed witnesses
• Processes all incoming mail properly and efficiently
• Drafts correspondence
• Creates standard pleadings and documents segments using templates
• Prints, scans, and copies documents
• Schedules depositions, obtains court reporters, and secures conference rooms
• Provides front desk assistance, including answering telephones and greeting guests
• Operates desktop computer, scanner, and printer
• Operates a copier and sends faxes
• Reviews written complaints, appeals, applications, rulings, or decisions to determine whether they meet basic statutory requirements 
• Gathers information through research and investigation to determine whether necessary legal requirements and regulatory requirements have been met 
• Reviews enforcement actions to ensure compliance with departmental regulations, proper application of law, adherence to procedure and appropriate documentation of evidence of violations 
• Recommends approval or denial of appeals of administrative decision, such as the prohibition of the sale of a firearm based on applicants’ criminal records 
• Performs other duties as required

Legal Assistant I: 

• Three years of responsible clerical, enforcement, or investigative work OR
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training

Legal Assistant II:

• One year as a Legal Assistant I OR
• Four years of responsible clerical, enforcement, or investigative work including one year of legal clerical support experience OR
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training