Job Description

Performs specialized and responsible office support work that requires knowledge of legal terminology and legal clerical procedures; and performs related work as required.

Legal Clerk I - $19.42 -$23.60
Working under close supervision, Legal Clerk I is the entry/trainee level in the Legal Clerk series. Employees in this class receive in-service training and are given detailed instructions in the performance of the more routine legal clerical duties. As requisite skills and knowledge are developed, greater independence and the full scope of responsibility are exercised. Unless a position is permanently allocated to this level due to the nature of the work, employees are expected to promote to Legal Clerk II after one year of satisfactory performance at the Legal Clerk I level.

Legal Clerk II - $21.43 - $26.05

Working under general supervision, Legal Clerk II is the journey level in the Legal Clerk series. Incumbents are expected to be fully qualified and able to perform a wide range of legal office support work. They work with a higher level of independent responsibility for precision and accuracy in producing notices and documents identified with legal matters and proceedings. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower level of Legal Clerk I, or if filled from the outside, require prior related experience.

This classification series differs from the Legal Assistant classification in that Legal Clerks perform the more routine legal clerical support duties that involve producing forms, notices, and documents. They do not serve in a paraprofessional capacity and do not conduct research or provide input on legal positions or arguments.

Nature of Work: 

The primary function of the Legal Clerk is to perform a wide variety of specialized legal clerical and general clerical work which includes composing and typing legal documents and correspondence, processing of legal documents, and maintenance of legal case records which requires the knowledge of legal terminology and legal clerical procedures.

Typical Duties:
Processing, maintaining, and preparing a variety of legal forms, records, and reports; verifying that information or data is complete, accurate, consistent, and in conformance with prescribed format, procedures, and regulations; gathering and reviewing confidential information from agencies and processing documents related to assignments; communicating with affected parties to gather needed information and explaining procedures; contacting various agencies and organizations regarding the status of documents such as court hearings, warrants, petitions, detention reports, etc.; receiving, assembling, and maintaining files and other information related to court actions; updating computer information; maintaining court calendars by scheduling and reviewing court dates; filing information or forwarding to staff members; typing from electronic recording devices, proofing typewritten materials for grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, format, layout, and clarity of language; verifying the consistency, completeness, and accuracy of references and other information.  

The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is reliable, provides courteous, respectful, and professional customer service, and has the ability to analyze situations involving rules and regulations and demonstrate good judgment when making decisions; communicates effectively orally and in writing; is proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; accepts criticism and deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations; interacts with individuals from various educational, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds; works cooperatively as part of a team and with community partners and other Counties’ agencies; listens attentively and understands oral information provided; prioritizes, plans and organizes one’s own work.  

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(For Legal Clerk I, duties are performed at the trainee level)

• Processes, maintains, and prepares a variety of legal forms, records, and reports; verifies that information or data is complete, accurate, consistent, and in conformance with prescribed format, procedures, and regulations.
• Gathers and reviews confidential information from agencies and processes documents related to assignments; communicates with affected parties to gather needed information and explain procedures.
• Determines acceptability of information and proper action to be taken based on established oral or written instructions.
• Contacts various agencies and organizations regarding the status of documents such as releases of liens, case settlements, etc.
• Receives, assembles, and maintains files and other information related to court actions; updates computer information; maintains court calendars by scheduling and reviewing court dates; files information or forwards to staff members.
• Files pleadings, orders, judgments, and a variety of other legal documents in the appropriate court.
• Identifies and corrects deletions or errors in accordance with prescribed format; follows up to secure additional information as needed.
• Produces a variety of legal documents including, but not limited to, Notices of Hearing, Subpoenas, Petitions, Dispositions, Dismissals, Monthly and Special Reviews, Warrants, and Special Orders, in addition to letters, reports, and fiscal or statistical reports.
• Receives and screens calls for attorneys; provides information based on knowledge of policies and procedures; performs follow up on caller requests as needed.
• Maintains information related to assignments by entering information into a manual or computerized data system; serves as a court liaison regarding assigned work activities and related matters.
• May attend court proceedings to take notes and/or enter narratives into a database; may produce and file documents as a result of court proceedings.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Note: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as distinguished between the two levels in the Definition section.
Knowledge of:

• Modern office procedures, techniques, and equipment.
• Clerical and department work practices, procedures, specific rules, precedence, and regulations.
• Proper English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, phraseology, documents, and procedures.
• Business letter writing.
• Filing, indexing, and recording systems and procedures.

Ability to:

• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Understand and apply laws, rules, and policies applicable to legal office procedures.
• Exercise independent judgment in determining and selecting the appropriate processes, alternatives, forms, and desired actions within the bounds of established work practices, procedures, and commonly used regulations.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and comprehensive reports and records.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Use discretion in organizing work and carrying out assignments with minimum supervision.

Legal Clerk I  

One (1) year of full-time experience as an Office Assistant II;

OR

Two (2) years of full-time experience performing general clerical work.

Legal Clerk II  

One (1) year of full-time experience as a Legal Clerk I;

OR

Two (2) years of full-time experience performing clerical work in a legal office environment.

Examination Information
 Training & Experience Examination – Weighted 100%

The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate’s knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. To obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination. 

Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin. 

If conditions warrant, an Experience and Education examination may be conducted in lieu of the Training and Experience Examination. Please review the Experience and Education examination information below:

  EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION – WEIGHTED 100%
The Education & Experience examination is based solely upon information provided from the application and supplemental information (e.g., resumes, transcripts). Information provided from the application and supplemental information will be assessed compared to a standard developed in relation to the elements of the job. Special care should be taken to submitting a complete description of your education and experience relevant to the typical tasks, scope, and minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin. Supplemental information will be accepted, but competitors should read this bulletin carefully to determine what kind of information will be useful to those individuals completing the evaluation. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination. Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.

Eligible List Information

A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Tehama. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.

Retest Period

Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.

Special Testing Arrangements

Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.

Education Documents

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

General Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified. 

If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list. 

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Benefits
This position offers the following benefits:

• Represented by the Joint Council bargaining unit.
• 96 hours of vacation per year, increasing upon continuous years of service.
• 96 hours of sick leave per year.
• 14 paid holidays plus one 8-hour personal holiday.
• CalPERS retirement plan, 8% employee contribution.
• The County pays approximately 80% of premium for medical, dental, and vision plan (including a $30,000 life insurance plan for employee). For the employee and entire family, the current employee's share of the insurance plan is $225.42 per month.
• Annual salary step increase based upon satisfactory performance and completion of 2,080 hours (Steps A to E).
• Deferred compensation plan with the County matching the employee's deposit, up to $60 per month.
• Supplemental insurance plans are available.
• Employee Assistance Program is provided to all employees at no cost by the County.

About Tehama County

Beautiful Tehama County is in the heart of northern California, midway between Sacramento and the Oregon border. Based on the shores of the Sacramento River and in the shadows of Mount Lassen, Tehama County boasts some of the lowest housing costs in California along with short commute times to work. The County is home to a myriad of recreational activities.

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Part time, Traineeship,

Similar Jobs