Legal Secretary Job at California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. in Lamont

Job Details

Job Location
Lamont Office - Lamont, CA

Position Type
Full Time

Salary Range
$22.56 - $34.41 Hourly

Description

WHO WE ARE: Founded in 1966, CRLA's mission is to fight for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society. Through a network of regional offices and cross-cutting programs, CRLA provides legal services to tens of thousands of low-income people annually. Our work impacts farmworkers, indigenous populations, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBTQ+ communities, women, children, and low-income families in rural areas. The Indigenous Program at CRLA was founded in 1993 as a special initiative to focus exclusively on providing legal services and extensive outreach and community education to the Indigenous Latin American communities residing in California.

• Position: Indigenous Program Legal Secretary
• Experience: 1+ years of experience as a Legal Secretary or equivalent experience providing administrative support
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: Lamont
• Other: FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position, Regular, Full Time (37.5hrs/week)

Reporting to the Legal Program Director, the Legal Secretary provides secretarial support to Indigenous Program staff, including attorneys and community workers. The Legal Secretary manages communication, correspondence, typing legal documents, filing, travel, calendar, and general organizational matters within the Indigenous Program. Also responsible for managing legal expenditures; minimal coordination of litigation with outside counsel; and maintaining/organizing records of litigated and transaction matters.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Drafts a variety of legal correspondence, forms, petitions, pleadings, motions, and discovery and informational material.
• Types, reviews and independently composes outgoing correspondence to ensure all legal documents/enclosures are in proper processing order and that correspondence is grammatically correct.
• Files documents with the court in person and via e-filing and stay updated with changes in local court rules and procedural requirements for litigation.
• Maintains records relating to legal matters in process and ensures that legal requirements and deadlines are met.
• Performs various responsible secretarial duties such as setting up and/or maintaining filing systems and appointment calendars, answering inquiries over the phone or in person, returning voicemails, and managing secretarial and administrative details with minimum direction.
• Operates a variety of office machines.
• Assists attorneys or legal staff with translating and interpreting for non-English speaking clients in attorney-client interviews and correspondence;
• Input case and project information into CMS, including time records, calendaring and other information as directed.
• Assists with library maintenance.
• Provides support to the Administrative Legal Secretary as needed.
• Performs other normal law office duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year of legal secretarial experience or equivalent.
• Type 55-60 w.p.m.
• Knowledge of computer software, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Windows and case management software.
• WordPerfect, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and Teams), Table of Authorities, Internet & email skills.
• Ability to learn data entry and correctly enter information into CRLA's case management system.
• Knowledge of ability to learn and obtain proficiency in all office equipment functions such as copiers, fax, and scanners.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all CRLA staff, clients, and community organizations.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality at all times.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish) with a strong preference for candidates who are trilingual in an Indigenous Latin American language

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

• Experience working with Indigenous Latin American communities
• Experience working or volunteering with social service or non-profit organizations.
• Strong personal work ethic, initiative, and ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet critical deadlines with minimal supervision.

COMPENSATION:

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Generous paid leave policy which includes: 15 days of sick leave, 12 days of personal wellness days off, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA). This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California "LSWRC"), and the estimated starting hourly range for this position is $22.56 to $34.41 (placement in the range is primarily determined by years of related experience).

APPLICATION:

CRLA invites you to submit your resume and cover letter; at your discretion, you may include a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.

California Rural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity, and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.