Senior Legal Office Assistant - Probation Department

• Provides administrative support to the department by assisting with duties of a complex and confidential nature; acts as a liaison between the department and other staff or the public.
• Verifies and reviews forms and reports for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures; applies departmental and program policies and procedures in determining completeness of applications, records, and files.
• Provides lead direction, training, & work review to Legal Office Assistants; reviews quality of work; trains employees in work methods and processes.
• Formats a wide variety of finished documents, including both general and legal-related correspondence and documents; inputs and retrieves data, and prepares periodic and special reports. 

• Provides lead direction, training and work review to a small legal office support staff; organizes and assigns work, sets priorities and follows up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work.
• Provides input into selection decisions, performance evaluations and disciplinary matters.
• Performs difficult, complex, technical, confidential and/or specialized legal office support work, which may require the exercise of independent judgment, the application of technical skills, or a knowledge of detailed or specialized activities related to the department to which assigned, including but not limited to:
• Processing commitments for various governmental institutions.
• Assembling, maintaining and updating master and trial calendars; setting and resetting trials, conferences and other legal matters.
• Compiling information from various sources to complete required forms for application for state, medical and social benefits; working directly with probation officers to insure timely and complete applications on behalf of probationers.
• Processing and typing a variety of legal documents including petitions, court orders, probation reports, sheriff's reports and arrest warrants.
• Receiving, storing and maintaining property and evidence received by the Sheriff's Department and Drug Task Force; maintaining inventory and "chain of evidence" records; disposing of contraband and unneeded property and evidence; determining ownership and returning found property and evidence.
• Receives, stores and maintains property evidence received by the Sheriff's Department and Drug Task Force; maintains records pertaining to "chain of evidence."
• Verifies, codes, edits, enters and retrieves legal data and prepares reports from an on-line or personal computer system following established formats; may access confidential statewide data files.
• Reviews legal documents, arrest or incident records, files and cases to identify inaccurate, inconsistent and unclear codes, data and other information; notifies appropriate staff and may participate in resolving problem situations; checks court and legal documents for proper authorization and obtains missing signatures.
• Compiles data from multiple sources to complete and process legal forms, documents and reports in accordance with established procedures.
• Types correspondence, reports, forms and specialized documents related to the functions of the organizational unit to which assigned from drafts, notes, dictated tapes, or brief instructions, using a typewriter or word processor.
• Proofreads and checks typed and other materials for accuracy, completeness, compliance with departmental policies, and correct English usage, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Establishes and maintains office and case files; researches and compiles information from such files; closes and purges files according to established procedures.
• Receives and screens visitors and telephone calls and takes messages; provides information regarding County or unit activities and functions to clients, the public and other staff which may require the use of tact and discretion or the interpretation of policies, procedures or guidelines; maintains confidentiality of information.
• Operates standard office equipment, including word processors and personal or on-line computers.
• Performs general office support activities as required.

• Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Legal office terminology, processes, procedures and forms.
• Legal documents, forms and terminology.
• Policies and procedures related to the department to which assigned.
• Business data processing principles and the use of word processing and personal computing equipment.
• Office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for typed materials.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals and basic bookkeeping practices.
• Record keeping principles and practices.

• Planning, assigning, directing and reviewing the work of others.
• Training others in work procedures.
• Performing technical, specialized, complex or difficult legal office support work.
• Reading and understanding legal and court documents and extracting relevant information.
• Exercising initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Prioritizing work and coordinating several activities.
• Composing routine correspondence from brief instructions.
• Operating standard office equipment, including a word processor and computer terminal.
• Dealing tactfully and effectively with a variety of individuals, some of whom may be hostile or irate and/or from varying ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Organizing and maintaining accurate files and records.
• Making accurate arithmetic calculations. 

HOW TO APPLY

A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applicants must apply online through the county’s automated application system at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca. 

Applications must be submitted no later than the final filing date and time listed on the job flyer. 

It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments. Incomplete applications will be rejected. 

Please read the job requirements section of the announcement.  Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process.  

Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores.  The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible. 

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The county utilizes a set of rules to ensure that our hiring processes are fair and equitable. Applications will be screened and those considered most qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does it take to fill out the application?

Can I change my application after submitting it?

How long until I hear back from you and how can I check for updates on my application?

Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview / Oral Exam?

EMPLOYEE PERKS

• For more information about County benefits, visit our benefits webpage: https://humboldtgov.org/2492/Employee-Benefits. 
• For more details about employee perks, see our Employee Perks flyer: https://humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/115226/Employee-Perks-Flyer-. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The county Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the county is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The county recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position. 

If you’re excited about this role but your past work experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.

CalPERS RETIREMENT PROGRAM

Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the county or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

• Tier I - Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7% @ 55
• Tier II - Post 7/6/2012: 2% @ 55
• Tier III - Post 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62

If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you will be in Tier III.

• 2% means that for every year you work for the county, you will receive 2% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that’s called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
• For example, if you work 20 years and retire at 62 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of the average of your three highest years of annual pay in retirement payments.

***For Safety Employees Only***

Employees fall into one of the following tiers based on the date you first start working for the county or any other employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.

• Tier I: Up to 12/31/2012: 3% @ 50
• Tier II: Post 1/1/2013: 2.7% @ 57

If this is your first job with a CalPERS employer, you will be in Tier II.

• 2.7% means that for every year you work for the county, you will receive 2.7% of your maximum annual pay rate for every year that you work for us (or other CalPERS employers) if you work the required minimum number of years (that’s called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.
• If you work 20 years and retire at 57 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2.7% or 54% of your maximum annual pay rate every year in retirement payments.

POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The County of Humboldt does not discriminate based on mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination to request an accommodation.

The county is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

A pre-employment medical examination provided by the county may be required upon offer of employment.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS

Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

LICENSES

Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Persons appointed to regular county positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

It is the county’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States.  For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the county requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.  THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.