Graduate Legal Assistant - Sacramento, United States - State of California

Description

Job Description and Duties

This position provides hybrid telework opportunities, with employees required to work in-person at least two days per week.

Upon passage of the California State Bar, do you want to be the first chair litigating administrative hearings and arbitrations and supporting attorneys in civil court - all while maintaining a work-life balance, collaborating with a supportive team of attorneys and assistants, AND having multiple telework days?

If so, join the small boutique law firm that is California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Legal Division.

Under a supervising attorney you will have the opportunity to work on diverse labor and employment duties-including litigating a wide variety of interesting and impactful labor and employment cases, conducting training, performing workplace investigations, providing in-house counsel on employment and personnel matters, and consulting and drafting legal opinions for high level executives on sensitive issues and projects.

Unlike many other state departments, CalHR attorneys are authorized to independently represent CalHR and other departments in civil litigation, including both state and federal courts, and appellate courts in labor law matters.

Our attorneys regularly argue consequential matters in superior and appellate courts that involve important public policy issues, and which ultimately may result in published decisions and shape the law.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Counsel and directly reporting to an Assistant Chief Counsel, the Graduate Legal Assistant performs legal research and facilitates preliminary work in preparing legal matters for hearing.

The Graduate Legal Assistant must be able to effectively carry out assigned tasks with supervision, be able to work independently or in a team environment, have strong communication skills, and work well under pressure.

The Graduate Legal Assistant performs legal analysis and routine legal research; prepares drafts of legal documents, briefs, reports, and notices; serves legal papers; secures information regarding court decisions; assists in the work of a law library; keeps records and indexes of legal cases; and prepares memoranda and correspondence.

Active membership in the California State Bar must be obtained within 24 months of appointment date.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• 
  GRADUATE LEGAL ASSISTANT

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details


Job Code #:
JC-429469


Position #(s):

Working Title:
Graduate Legal Assistant


Classification:

GRADUATE LEGAL ASSISTANT
$5, $6,085.00

# of Positions:

Multiple


Work Location:
Sacramento County


Telework:
Hybrid


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is responsible for issues related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment and retention.

For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.

Our Vision:
To be the premier leader and trusted partner in innovative human resources management.

Our Mission:

To provide exceptional human resources leadership and services with integrity, respect and accountability to state departments and all current and prospective employees.

DEIA Statement:
At CalHR we believe in the power of diversity. Diversity fuels the creativity and innovation necessary to serve our customers well. We are building a culture that values difference and fosters belonging.

We strive to sustain a workforce reflective of the state we serve, and an environment that is safe, inclusive, and accessible for all individuals.

We welcome everyone to contribute their talent, life experience, and expertise to drive CalHR forward.


Department Website:
Special Requirements

You must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). You need to provide direct responses to each of the numbered items. You must include the numbered item followed by your response. Include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. Limit your SOQ to one (1) page, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

• What do you think are the most important characteristics of an attorney at the California Department of Human Resources? How do your education, skills, and experience correspond to those characteristics?

Note:
If you do not follow the instructions, you may not move forward in this recruitment. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

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: 5/31/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list 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 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:

Department of Human Resources

Attn:
Human Resources Office - Vanessa Sandoval

1515 S Street, North Building, Suite 500

Sacramento, CA

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Human Resources

Human Resources Office - Vanessa Sandoval

1810 16th Street

Sacramento, CA

08:00 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 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 - If you are basing your eligibility on education, provide your unofficial transcripts. If you are using foreign transcripts, you must provide a transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation must state the number of units to which the foreign course work is equal. You will need to submit official transcripts at the offer stage. If you are not basing your eligibility on education, do not provide your unofficial transcripts. Select Choose/Upload for the required document. Then select Bypass File.
• Statement of Qualifications - You must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). See the Special Requirements section for instructions.

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:

• Knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Experience in assisting multiple attorneys
• Ability to produce clear and comprehensive reports
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with others
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment
• Superior legal writing and editing skills
• Excellent legal research skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong academic record at an accredited law school
• Highly motivated, excellent work ethics

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

If you're passionate about business-changing experiences in an exciting, thriving state environment, CalHR is right for you. Join us at CalHR to provide human resources support to state departments.

As you contribute your time, talent, and ideas, you'll see the impact you will make to thousands of state employees and fellow Californians.

We offer competitive, flexible opportunities:

• Hybrid telework
• Tax-advantaged savings and spending accounts
• Short-Term Disability Program available
• Employee Assistance Program
• Excellent health, dental and vision benefits for employee/employee's family 401k program
• Alternate Work Week Schedule options
• Ongoing training and development
• Convenient transportation options, including light-rail and pre-tax parking
• On-site ATM
• On-site Gym
• Shopping
• Nearby restaurants

CalHR employees are excluded from bargaining and are eligible to receive enhanced benefits, such as CoBen benefit allowance, employer paid life insurance, additional vacation/annual leave, and are not subject to State Disability Insurance payroll withholding.

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:

Human Resources Contact:
Vanessa Sandoval


Hiring Unit Contact:
Aymie Nguyen

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:
RA Coordinators


California Relay Service:
TTY), Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Application Information

When completing the State application, STD 678, you must include a description of the duties performed for each position held.

You may not move forward in this recruitment if you write "See Resume."

Redact confidential information from all documents you submit for this position.

Confidential information includes, but is not limited to:

• Social security number (CalCareers removes this from the first page of the State application, STD. 678, upon submission)
• Birthdate
• Student identification number
• Driver license number (unless required)
• Basis of eligibility
• Examination results
• LEAP status
• Marital status
• Age

You can apply in one of three ways:

• Online (preferred),
• U.S. mail, parcel deliver or courier service, or
• In person

We may fill additional positions from this recruitment.

Examination Information

We have a three-step guide to a state job.

You must pass an examination to become a state employee. State examinations measure your skills and experience. When you pass an examination, you become list eligible, which allows us to consider you for this appointment.


Before you start the examination:

• Review the sample questions in the examination bulletin.
• Have your resume handy. You will need it during the examination.

The examination starts with a series of questions. They confirm you meet the minimum qualifications.

Take the online Graduate Legal Assistant exam to become list eligible for this position.

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.