Legal Clerk I/II/III

Please note: This position was posted on behalf of the Stanislaus County CEO’s office. If interested in this position, please apply directly through the online County application tool at www.stanjobs.org 

 

About the Opportunity

THIS RECRUITMENT WILL CLOSE AFTER 150 APPLICATIONS ARE COLLECTED. PLEASE APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE 
Stanislaus County is recruiting for multiple vacancies throughout its 27 departments. We are looking for well rounded and charismatic individuals to join the team.  We are looking for candidates who are detailed oriented and have strong customer service skills. All candidates who are up for a challenge are encouraged to apply.

THE POSITIONS
Stanislaus County Departments with Legal Clerk positions include: Clerk Recorder's Office, District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Probation and the Sheriff's Department.

To learn more about the Departments, click here.

The Legal Clerk series is block budgeted to allow an employee who meets the minimum qualifications and has satisfactory or above performance evaluations to advance to the next level in the series.

Legal Clerk I is the entry-level class of the Legal Clerk series. Initially under direct supervision, incumbents learn legal/clerical office and County procedures. Incumbents normally advance to the higher level after gaining progressively responsible experience and achieving proficiency, which meet the qualifications for the next step in the Legal Clerk Series. The Legal Clerk II position performs with more independence of action within established guidelines. Provides direct legal clerical support to attorneys, court officers and other staff under supervision. The Legal Clerk III is the journey level position and performs with more independence of action within established guidelines. Provides direct legal clerical support to attorneys, court officers and other staff under supervision.

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Office Worker/Clerical Bargaining Unit for labor relations purposes. Incumbents are also subject to overtime, standby and call-back assignments.
 
Individuals who are in a full-time classified position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months for a total of eighteen months.
 
Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
 
The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Typical Tasks

• Provide customer service and confer with staff, attorneys, and the general public in answering questions;
• Process and interpret various legal forms, documents, and procedures such as minute orders, warrants, detainees, etc.;
• Process and type correspondence, notices, and forms including record search forms and failure to appear letters;
• Perform data entry;
• Reconcile daily cash transactions;
• Determine eligibility for release;
• File documents and case files;
• Retrieve and distribute all facility and inmate mail;
• Release of inmate property and/or clothing;
• Respond and answer inmate request forms;
• Process and type arrest reports, traffic citations, restraining orders, etc., including transcription;
• Monitor and distribute teletype messages;
• Complete court runs and bookings;
• Assemble and maintain files, search for missing documents and files;
• Answer and screen incoming calls and sign up visitors;
• Maintain a good rapport with staff and the public; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

SKILLS/ABILITIES
LEGAL CLERK I

• Type accurately at the speed which permits successful job performance; 
• Operate general office equipment;
• Understand modern office practices and procedures, including filing, basic mathematics, and record keeping;
• Perform detailed legal clerical work;
• Accurately carry out oral and written instructions;
• Maintain order and consistency in filing processes and meeting deadlines;
• Read, write and speak effectively;
• Learn and apply basic California statutes, new laws, amendments and local rules related to assigned duties;
• Understand and apply procedures in department manuals pertaining to legal forms and processes; and
• Travel to other department sites.

LEGAL CLERK II
Demonstrated skills/ability with Legal Clerk I qualifications, plus:

• Perform clerical assignments of average difficulty with speed and accuracy;
• Type accurately at the speed which permits successful job performance;
• Work independently and exercise common sense and sound judgment in the performance of duties;
• Deal tactfully and courteously with those contacted in the course of work;
• Keep accurate records and perform basic mathematics consistent with job assignment;
• Apply and remain abreast of new laws, amendments and local rules as related to assigned duties and responsibilities;
• Calendar cases;
• Assist with training;
• Provide information concerning procedures and forms for filing civil probate, criminal and juvenile actions to clerical staff, attorneys and the general public; and
• Process incoming police reports.

LEGAL CLERK III
Demonstrated skills/ability with Legal Clerk I and II qualifications, plus: 

• Independently and accurately perform difficult legal clerical work;
• Instruct and monitor line personnel in legal office procedures and techniques;
• Type accurately at the speed which permits successful job performance;
• Manage various legal projects simultaneously, and maintain order and consistency;
• Exercise independent judgment in decision making;
• Lead and train co-workers;
• Research and apply laws, amendments, and rules related to assignment;
• Prepare complex legal documents; and
• Update and revise procedures.

KNOWLEDGE
LEGAL CLERK I and II

• Basic data processing principles and the use of word processing or personal computer equipment in legal clerical operations/settings; and
• English grammar, spelling and proper punctuation.

LEGAL CLERK III 
Demonstrated knowledge of Legal Clerk I and II requirements, plus:

• Legal terminology and forms;
• Legal clerical procedures and operations;
• Advanced clerking operations for legal offices and/or law enforcement; 
• General codes pertaining to legal offices and law enforcement; and
• English grammar, spelling and proper punctuation.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
LEGAL CLERK I

• Equivalent of one (1) year full-time, general office experience involving typing; OR
• One (1) year of relevant college or business school training; AND
• Applicants must be able to type at least 35 WPM (net corrected).

Legal Clerk I is a Veterans' Preference Program eligible job classification. For more information please, click here (Download PDF reader).

LEGAL CLERK II

• One (1) year of experience as a Legal Clerk I in County Government; OR
• Two (2) years of general clerical experience of which one (1) year involved work in a law enforcement, legal secretarial/clerical secretarial capacity. Note: One (1) year of relevant college or business school training may be substituted for one (1) year of the general clerical required experience; AND
• Applicants must be able to type at least 35 WPM (net corrected).

LEGAL CLERK III

• One (1) year of experience as a Legal Clerk II in County Government; OR
• Three (3) years of general clerical experience of which two (2) years involved work in a law enforcement, legal secretarial/clerical secretarial capacity. Note: One (1) year of relevant college or business school training may be substituted for one (1) year of the general clerical required experience; AND
• Applicants must be able to type at least 35 WPM (net corrected).

Proof of education may be required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6341 to make other arrangements before 5 pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing deadline may result in disqualification.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening may focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.

• A typing certificate, within 4 years, of 35 WPM (net corrected) from any temporary agency or comparable institution. The certificate must be a three to five minute timed test OR verification of data entry ability at a speed of not less than 7,000 strokes per hour (accurate and skillfully).
• Please note that it is in the best interest of the candidate to submit a typing certificate as some departments will only consider hiring those that attach one at application.

TYPING CERTIFICATE 
A typing certification (within four years) from Workforce Development, a temporary staffing agency or a comparable institution is required to be attached to your application. Internet typing certificates are not accepted. The certificate must be a three (3) to five (5) minute timed test and net corrected of 35 words per minute (WPM). Typing certificates must be on agency letterhead, dated and signed by the issuing agency and have net words per minute listed.

County employees who currently hold a position which required a typing certificate of 35 net WPM to qualify are not required to submit a typing certificate.

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE
Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m.. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.
 
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
 
Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitment consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: June 3, 2024 or 150 applications
Written Examination: WEEK OF June 10, 2024

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County Departments.
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.
 
Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

 
Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org
 
Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.