Legal Clerk

County of Shasta • Redding, CA

3d

About The Position

The Legal Clerk performs specialized and responsible office support work requiring knowledge of legal terminology and legal clerical procedures. Working under general supervision, the incumbent is expected to be fully qualified to perform a range of legal office support duties, exercising independent responsibility for precision and accuracy in notices and documents related to legal matters and proceedings. The vacancy is in the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health and Social Services Branch.

The role processes and maintains legal records, prepares and files court documents, coordinates information with agencies and affected parties, maintains court calendars and case information, and provides clerical support to attorneys and court-related assignments. The position may involve attending court proceedings and preparing or filing documents resulting from those proceedings.

Requirements

• One year of full-time experience as an Office Assistant II, or two years of full-time experience performing clerical work in a legal office environment.
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, techniques, and equipment; clerical and department work practices, procedures, rules, precedence, and regulations.
• Knowledge of English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation; legal terminology, phraseology, documents, and procedures; business letter writing; and filing, indexing, and recording systems and procedures.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and apply laws, rules, and policies governing legal office procedures.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in selecting appropriate processes, alternatives, forms, and actions within established practices and regulations.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate, comprehensive reports and records; communicate effectively orally and in writing; establish effective working relationships; maintain confidentiality; and organize and carry out assignments with minimum supervision.
• Supplemental-question responses must be submitted with the application, addressing the applicant’s qualifying legal clerical experience and/or experience as an Office Assistant II.
• New employees must arrange direct deposit of their paychecks.
• A background investigation, including criminal-history fingerprint checks, is required after a preliminary offer. A medical examination that includes drug/alcohol testing may be required following the background investigation.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of clerical experience.
• Working knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, forms, and documents.
• Experience working with the court system and legal partners.
• Knowledge of completing legal documents and court filings.
• Ability to perform difficult legal clerk duties using independent judgment and organize work to meet critical deadlines.
• Friendly, outgoing demeanor and commitment to teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Process, maintain, and prepare legal forms, records, and reports; check submitted information for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with required formats and procedures.
• Gather and review confidential information from agencies and process documents related to assigned matters.
• Communicate with affected parties to obtain information and explain procedures; contact agencies and organizations about document status, including lien releases and case settlements.
• Receive, assemble, and maintain files and information related to court actions; update computer records and file or forward information to staff.
• Maintain court calendars by scheduling and reviewing court dates.
• File pleadings, orders, judgments, and other legal documents with the appropriate court; identify and correct errors and follow up for additional information as needed.
• Prepare legal documents, including Notices of Hearing, Subpoenas, Petitions, Dispositions, Dismissals, Monthly and Special Reviews, Warrants, and Special Orders, as well as letters, reports, and fiscal or statistical reports.
• Type from electronic recording devices and proofread materials for grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, format, layout, and clarity; verify references and other information when needed.
• Receive and screen calls for attorneys, provide information based on policies and procedures, and follow up on caller requests.
• Log law-enforcement reports and search manual and automated systems for prior offenses and other relevant information.
• Receive and process discovery requests and gather information.
• Maintain assignment information in manual or computerized data systems.
• Serve as a court liaison concerning assigned work and related matters.
• Attend court proceedings as needed to take notes or enter narratives into a database, and produce and file documents resulting from proceedings.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• CalPERS retirement program, subject to applicable law and eligibility.
• Collective bargaining agreement coverage through the United Public Employees of California – General Unit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed