Job Posting: Legal Secretary

California Civil Rights Department

JC-459248
-
Legal Secretary
LEGAL SECRETARY

$4,244.00 - $5,581.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 12/30/2024

Job Description and Duties

The California Civil Rights Department is looking to fill a legal secretary vacancy.  We are rapidly growing as the nation’s largest state civil rights agency. This is a fantastic opportunity to serve your fellow Californians and help protect civil rights. Our legal secretaries are the “tip of the spear” of our civil rights mission, working alongside passionate and dedicated attorneys, investigators, and other support staff. This job provides flexible telework opportunities, robust medical/dental/vision benefits, good work/life balance (all state holidays & flexible leave options), unique and impactful work, and the chance to develop a variety of skills.

 

This job classification qualifies for a hire-above-minimum salary depending on the geographic location of the employee. Please see the “Department Information” section below for more details. Legal Secretaries are represented by the SEIU 1000, bargaining unit 4. Successful passing of a one-year probationary period (six months if hired as a Senior Legal Typist) will grant permanent civil service status.

 

Our Legal Secretaries work under the supervision of Legal Support Managers, providing complex clerical and secretarial support to State and Federal civil litigations as well as government investigations. They use a variety of office equipment such as computers, scanners/printers, mail equipment, and are issued department smartphones. The job provides chances to learn industry standard software tools and court filing systems. Applicants should be attentive to fine details, be familiar with common legal terminology and law office practices, and understand the importance of deadlines and accurate calendaring. CRD employees are privy to high profile case information and should exercise discretion and sensitivity in handling work product and evidence.

Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position.

If the position is filled with a Senior Legal Typist, the duty statement will reflect duties of less complex legal secretarial work.


You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

 

  • Requires daily use of a personal computer and related software applications at a workstation.
  • Requires ability to complete tasks that require making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties.
  • Requires prolonged sitting and or standing at a workstation for 6.5 to 7 hours per day.
  • Requires dependability and excellent attendance records.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-459248
Position #(s):
326-420-1282-001
Working Title:
Legal Secretary
Classification:
LEGAL SECRETARY
$4,244.00 - $5,314.00 A
$4,457.00 - $5,581.00 B
SENIOR LEGAL TYPIST
$3,582.00 - $4,488.00 A
$4,007.00 - $5,009.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Civil Rights Department (CRD or Department) is the civil rights enforcement agency for the State of California. CRD's mission is to protect all people in California from employment, housing and public accommodation discrimination, human trafficking, and hate violence.

 

The CRD is the largest state civil rights enforcement agency in the country. It enforces the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Persons Act, Ralph Civil Rights Act, and the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The Department has jurisdiction over both private and public entities operating within the State of California, including corporate entities, private sector companies that contract with the State of California, and all State departments and local governments. 

The CRD receives, investigates conciliates, and initiates individual and systemic discrimination complaints in its five offices throughout California. CRD litigates individual, class, group and systemic cases in all California jurisdictions, including state and federal courts. It leads education and outreach efforts to stakeholders and the public, and has an active regulatory and legislative program.

Additional HAM Information: 

  • Legal Secretaries in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Los Angeles, Marin, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara qualify for “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM). The starting salary of Range A will be $4,913 and Range B $5,162. Employees may be eligible for a recruitment and retention pay differential based upon qualifying pay periods.
  • Senior Legal Typists also qualify for a HAM in the above locations. The starting salary of Range A will be $4,189 and Range B $4,678. Employees may be eligible for a recruitment and retention pay differential based upon qualifying pay. 

 

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.


This position is hybrid and will require scheduled in-office days to be established with your supervisor in accordance with Department policy.

Department Website: https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 12/30/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

California Civil Rights Department
N/A
Attn: Human Resources Office - Amy Duarte
651 Bannon Street Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

California Civil Rights Department
N/A
Human Resources Office - Amy Duarte
651 Bannon Street Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95811
09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
  • Ability to type at a speed of 45 words per minute.
  • Ability to perform legal clerical work including the ability to process a large variety of legal documents.
  • Ability to format, file and serve legal pleadings in multiple jurisdictions, including State, federal and appellate courts.
  • Good communication.
  • Ability to work independently and cooperatively with others.
  • Ability to execute work assignments with accuracy and organization.
  • Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
  • Experience with MS Word, Excel, Adobe software programs and other office methods, supplies, and equipment.
  • Experience or knowledge of proper citation styles using the Harvard Blue Book and California Style Manual.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:


 

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Amy Duarte
(279) 236-8119
amy.duarte@calcivilrights.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Nicole Codling
(916) 957-0359
nicole.codling@calcivilrights.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO OFFICER
(213) 723-6024
brenda.valle-balderrama@calcivilrights.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Application Information

 

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

All information regarding your employment history must be included on the State Employment Application STD. 678. Applications that are submitted blank or with “see resume” in place of duties performed or applications received without the following information for each job entry will be considered incomplete and will not be accepted:

• "To" and "from" dates (month/day/year)
• Hours worked per week
• Private sector job titles
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Job duties performed
• State employees must list the specific departments for which they worked and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles).

Transcripts: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcript for verification. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire. Foreign transcripts must include official verification of U.S equivalency prior to appointment by an organization found here. 

Personally Identifiable Information:
Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

 
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey CRD Human Resources Survey (Rev. Oct 2022) (surveymonkey.com)

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to 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.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job