Job Posting: Legal Secretary

California Civil Rights Department

JC-534896
-
Legal Secretary
LEGAL SECRETARY

$4,371.00 - $5,748.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/30/2026

Job Description and Duties

The California Civil Rights Department is looking to fill in 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.

Under general supervision of a Legal Support Manager, the incumbent will provide complex clerical and secretarial support to State and Federal civil litigations as well as administrative investigations. The incumbent will use a variety of office equipment such as computers, scanners/printers, mail equipment, and telephones to complete their job. The Legal Secretary should be familiar with common legal terminology and law office practices and understand the importance of deadlines and accurate calendaring.

This job classification qualifies for a hire-above-minimum salary depending on the geographic location of the employee.

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 $5,060 and Range B $5,317. Employees may be eligible for a recruitment and retention pay differential based upon qualifying pay periods.

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

Working Conditions

This position will be filled in the following offices: Oakland or Los Angeles. 

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-534896
Position #(s):
326-410-1282-XXX
Working Title:
Legal Secretary
Classification:
LEGAL SECRETARY
$4,371.00 - $5,473.00 A
$4,591.00 - $5,748.00 B
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
3
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.

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: 10/30/2026

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
Human Resources
Attn: Kathleen Vang
651 Bannon Street
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
Human Resources
Kathleen Vang
651 Bannon Street
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 required and must be included.
  • Other - Cover Letter
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:
  • Strong listening and reading ability, to fully comprehend verbal and written assignments and tasks given by supervisors and attorneys. 
  • Logical thinking in drawing sound conclusions from court orders, instructions given, case issues, and other problem situations. 
  • Ability to format, file and serve legal pleadings and court forms in multiple jurisdictions, including State, federal and appellate courts. 
  • Ability to research statutes and regulations to find applicable rules of civil procedure. 
  • Understanding of calendaring deadlines based on the California Rules of Court, Code of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and local court rules. 
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely. 
  • Ability to work both 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. 
  • Ability to type at a speed of 45 words per minute. 

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:


 

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.

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