Senior Legal Secretary

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Perform the full range of Legal Secretary I/II duties in addition to duties of the Legal Executive Assistant in their absence.
Provide lead direction over legal and clerical support staff, including planning, organizing, coordinating, reviewing, and correctness of complex legal documents.
Responsible for assisting with or completing more complex legal tasks such as extraditions and governor’s warrants.
May participate in support staff evaluations or time card approvals.
Assist staff with resolving problems concerning legal document preparation and processing.
Participate in hiring panels for Legal Secretary I/II and Office Assistant staff as needed.
Work with Legal Executive Assistant to maintain and implement office policies and procedures.
Communicate needs of Legal Secretary I/II and Office Assistant staff to Legal Executive Assistant and/or Department Head.
Perform criminal background checks and records checks for other government or legal entities.
May represent the department on committees or projects.
Disaster service workers may be assigned responsibilities as directed.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical way to gain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is:
High school diploma or GED equivalent and;
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible legal clerical/secretarial experience or two (2) years as a Legal Secretary II in Mariposa County.
Or
A valid Paralegal certificate from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal program, compliant with California Business and Professions Code section 6450, and two (2) years of experience as a Legal Secretary II in Mariposa County.
Additional Requirements:
Possession of a valid California driver’s license. Under certain circumstances, the Human Resources Director may accept a valid driver’s license from another State if the applicant acknowledges his/her intent to acquire a California driver’s license within three (3) months by signing an acknowledgment form.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Knowledge of:
Comprehensive knowledge of the policies, procedures, and programs of the legal department and work area where assigned.
Principles of lead supervision and training.
Laws, rules, and regulations affecting assigned program functions and services.
Principles and practices of legal document filing.
Legal terminology, phraseology, documents, and forms.
Legal office practices methods and procedures, including computers and assigned software.
Requirements for completing and filing legal documents.
Legal filing and recordkeeping procedures.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Receptionist and telephone techniques.
Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Fiscal and account recordkeeping.
Elementary Mathematics.

Skill to:
Communicate tactfully, respectfully, and effectively with administrators, staff, and the public, both orally and in writing, in a manner consistent with the department's policing and customer service policies.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted during work.

Ability to:
Perform a variety of legal office support as well as secretarial and administrative duties.
Plan, assign, and review the work of staff.
Identify, prepare, and use a variety of legal documents and forms.
Interpret and apply policies, rules, and regulations appropriately in various situations.
Work with minimum supervision.
Compile information and prepare accurate reports.
Prioritize and coordinate tasks to meet deadlines.
Type or word process accurately at a rate required for successful job performance.
Take dictation or perform speed note-taking with accuracy.
Perform mathematical computations with accuracy.
Take dictation and notes at an appropriate rate for the job assignment and transcribe them accurately.
Operate a variety of office equipment, including computers and assigned software.
Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during work.
Perform other duties as assigned