Legal Administrative Assistant

PROGRAM SUMMARY: 

Founded in 1967, California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is the oldest public interest Indian rights law firm in the country, promoting the fundamental rights of California tribes and Indians through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, community development, and other strategies for systemic change. CILS provides a full range of legal representation to California Indian tribes and Indian organizations, advocates for the rights of California Indians at the local, state, and national levels, and provides direct services and community education to low-income Native American individuals on issues related to Federal Indian Law. Currently, CILS offers services statewide and maintains four offices throughout California – Eastern (Bishop), Southern (Escondido), Northern (McKinleyville), and Central (Sacramento). This position is in the Central Office, located in Sacramento, CA. For additional information about CILS, go to our website at www.calindian.org. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Under the supervision of the Directing Attorney, this is a position devoted to enhancing attorney effectiveness by providing information-management support, administrative and clerical support in a legal office environment. The work is specialized and requires knowledge of the preparation and processing requirements of legal documents, legal terminology, civil procedures and discovery, sources of law and the court system. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Answer and direct incoming calls to appropriate staff, refer ineligible callers to other resource providers as appropriate and document all calls per program policy and procedures. 
• Greet and maintain professional tact in dealing with or assisting CILS clients, Tribal members, Tribal officials, outside counsel or other CILS visitors. 
• Retrieve, sort and distribute daily mail, faxes, and process outgoing mail. In certain field offices, this position may be required to retrieve mail on Mondays and Fridays despite these being typical telework days. 
• Maintain general organization and function of the office, ensuring supplies are stocked and well-coordinated with office staff. 
• Manage office systems including phone and voicemail system, database, mailing and faxing, office supplies and equipment, and coordinate office cleaning to ensure professional, efficient, and timely workflow of day-to-day operations of office. 
• Create, maintain, and organize case and correspondence files including case file tickling with attention to detail and minimal supervision. 
• Conserves attorneys’ time by reading, reviewing, verifying, and routing correspondence, reports and legal documents; drafting simple letters and legal documents; collecting information; initiating telecommunications; organizing attorney-client meetings including preparing attorneys for meetings and court by providing meeting packets and fact summaries, travel arrangements and directions; scheduling couriers, court reporters, witnesses, and other special functions; preparing expense/reimbursement reports; post-meeting/court follow up to ensure calendars, case files and case management system are updated accordingly and timely. 
• Represents attorney by communicating and obtaining information; following-up on delegated assignments; willingness to ask for direction yet provide degree of self-motivation and problem solving. 
• Be willing to learn, interpret and apply a variety of Tribal and state laws, rules, or procedures as directed by staff attorneys.  
• Must communicate professionally and maintain a positive rapport with all staff. This position is designed to support all staff in the office. 
• Participate in in-person community education presentations and outreach events.  
• Liaison with Principal Office staff related to administrative and operational needs of your field office location.  
• Other duties as assigned.  

SALARY: 

Competitive salary: $25.00 - $27.00 hourly. CILS creates job position wage and salary ranges using data from California non-profit legal services annual data sources; employees are placed within a range depending on degrees, certifications, experience, qualifications, and other factors. 

BENEFITS: 

CILS provides an extensive benefits package, including: 

• Multiple high-quality, and low-cost medical plans. 

• 100% coverage for the employee and 90% for dependent premiums. 

• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible medical/dental, dependent care, and public transportation expenses. 

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match. 

• 18 paid holidays annually (includes office closure from December 24-January 1).

• Vacation time off, starting at 13 days accrued per year. 

• Sick leave is set at 12 days per year. 

• Paid leave for jury duty/witness services, Election Day, bereavement. 

• Free professional development courses and learning opportunities. 

• Employee Assistance Program with access to free mental health services. 

• Loan Repayment Assistance Program for eligible positions. 

• Supplemental insurance, including additional life and disability coverage. 

LOCATION: 

This position is based out of the Central Office in Sacramento, CA, from Monday through Friday. Frequent travel to the Post Office will be required. 

 TO APPLY:  

 Please submit a resume, cover letter and three professional references. We will accept applications until the position is filled, but CILS does not accept incomplete applications.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience – Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying; typical education would include a high school diploma, or equivalent and legal secretarial course work. 
• Highly organized and able to analyse and present ideas clearly and concisely. 
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills – ability to communicate empathetically but productively with callers in crisis. 
• Comfortable with a variety of computer programs including web-based case management systems. 
• Ability to work productively and empathetically with individuals from diverse backgrounds. 
• Ability to take initiative and work independently, as well as part of a team. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fast learner 
• Prior legal services experience. 
• Demonstrated interest in Native American rights, public interest law, and/or commitment to working with low-income and other disadvantaged clients.