Senior Legal Assistant

Job Description:

Senior Legal Assistant

Description

The Position

This recruitment is open only to Mendocino County employees with at least six (6) months of regular, full-time continuous employment or equivalent permanent part-time service.

Under general direction, performs the most complex and specialized paraprofessional legal work in support of staff attorneys including: providing legal research, managing case files; assisting in litigation preparation; initiating, processing and recording various complex legal reports and orders; may oversee program/s unique to the department and performs other administrative functions as assigned.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct complex legal research, including: reviewing legal opinions and court rulings; searching legislative history; investigating facts; and analyzing cases for appealable issues; summarizing depositions, medical records and other discovery.
• Oversee complex legal programs, processes, or work units that may be unique to the department of assignment; including assisting with developing and implementing new programs / processes or changed programs / processes consistent with legislation or programmatic policy; coordinating related activities with other law enforcement and federal agencies; prepare detailed and complex financial records and other records.
• Provide lead direction, training, and work review; provides input into employee selection, evaluation, discipline, and work procedures.
• Set work priorities, coordinate and schedule assignments and establish goals and objectives.
• Draft and prepare various complex legal documents such as: appeal briefs, chronologies from deposition testimony, summarizing of transcripts, interrogatories, summons, complaints, deposition notices, documents for litigation, requests for production, deposition notices, subpoenas, warrants, petitions, declarations, etc.; monitors documents through process, obtains signatures, files with court and/or distributes to parties. Ensure information is sufficient and accurate and identifies pertinent point of law or need for additional information.
• Contact various agencies and organizations regarding releases of liens, case settlements, etc.
• Collect and maintain data for grants and other programs; generate reports and processes other related information.
• Log reports from law enforcement agencies; enter information into the computer; search for prior offenses; organizes information; forward information to appropriate parties; and follow up, as needed.
• Receive, assemble and maintain files and other information related to court actions; update computer information; maintain court calendars by scheduling and reviewing court dates; and file or forward information, to include: copying reports; requesting needed information; calculating costs; balancing money and receipts; and documenting all actions.
• Transcribe legal documents from written and tape-recorded sources and copies, distribute and/or file same.
• Answer various inquiries; explain policies and procedures; arrange appointments; and process routine matters independently.
• Provide reference service to other departments.
• May provide training to Attorney staff consistent with areas of assignment.
• May serve as backup for other support positions within the department.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience as a Legal Assistant for Mendocino County, or the equivalent performing paralegal duties in support of practicing attorney/s in public or private legal office, within the preceding three (3) years;

Or,
A valid Paralegal Certificate, and two (2) years of experience performing duties as a paralegal in support of practicing attorney/s in public or private legal office, within the preceding three (3) years

Or,
A valid Paralegal Certificate and at least three (3) years of experience performing duties as a legal secretary in support of practicing attorney/s in a public or private legal office, within the preceding three (3) years;

Or,
A certificate of completion of an accredited paralegal program, or an Associate degree, or higher, from a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses, and, at least two (2) years of experience as a paralegal or three (3) years of experience as legal secretary, performing duties in support of practicing attorney/s in a public or private legal office, within the preceding three (3) years;

Or,
A juris doctorate degree, and six (6) months of experience performing law-related research, or paraprofessional or paralegal duties in support of practicing attorney/s in public or private legal office, within the preceding three (3) years.

Licenses and Certifications:
Paralegal Certificate is highly desired, but not required unless used to qualify for this position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of legal office terminology, processes, procedures, and the format for legal documents.
• State and federal civil/criminal procedures, court rules and litigation process.
• Applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of legal research, discovery, fact investigation, and standard legal reference materials.
• Correct English usage, including structure, content, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Computer applications and hardware related to the performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Modern general office procedures, policies and practices.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.

Skill in:

• Utilizing a variety of resources for the purpose of conducting legal research and investigation.
• Analyzing and resolving administrative situations and problems.
• Exercising initiative, tact, discretion, and sound independent judgment within established policy guidelines and legal constraints.
• Provide staff leadership and work direction; train staff in work procedures.
• Coordinate multiple projects/assignments to meet critical deadlines; manage competing priorities.
• Typing from rough draft or printed text at a speed sufficient to perform the duties of the job.
• Using a computer to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with internal staff, citizens, and other departmental staff in order to give and receive information in a courteous manner.
• Operating and performing routine maintenance of general office machines.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Understand, interpret and apply pertinent laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, legal documents, policies and procedures, and other correspondence.
• Use logic and reasoning to conduct sound analysis and make effective recommendations for alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Draft legal documents from tapes and handwritten information and type correspondence.
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Establish, maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck, objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 7/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$57,137.60 - $69,430.40 Annually