Legal Assistant

Job TitlePlans, assigns, supervises, and reviews a variety of complex legal clerical and office services activities in a law office; participates in the more difficult aspects of work involved; and performs other related duties as required. This level is distinguished by its responsibility for supervising the legal clerical and office services activities for a major division of a law office and, in addition, for assisting in the administrative services functions of the overall office. There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney - East Hawai'i Clerical Unit in Hilo. May be eligible to receive a $3,000 Recruitment Incentive. Conditions apply. (Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.) The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.Examples Of DutiesPlans, organizes, and supervises a variety of legal clerical and office services activities in a law office.Participates in providing a variety of complex legal clerical and secretarial services to attorneys.Supervises the establishment and maintenance of files and records.Sets up procedures to control incoming and outgoing materials and pending and completed work.Revises work procedures and sets up operational policies for greater efficiency.Ensures attorneys attend court hearing, trials, and meetings.Determines priorities and assigns and reviews the work of subordinates.Screens calls and visitors, provides information, makes appointments for attorneys.Researches files and documents to obtain information for attorneys and to compile data and prepare periodic activity reports.Orients new members of legal staff as to division organization, functions, and procedures.Trains new clerical employees.Advises subordinates in work procedures and clarifies office policies.Recommends personnel actions; resolves grievances.Compiles budget estimates for the division and supervises maintenance of inventory of supplies.Assists in the internal management of the legal office as required.May take and transcribe dictation.Performs other related duties as assigned.Minimum Qualification RequirementsTraining and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:Graduation from high school, andSix (6) years of progressively responsible legal clerical work experience, of whichTwo (2) years shall have been in a supervisory capacity.License Requirement:Possession of a valid State of Hawai`i Driver License (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver license at time of filing, as applicable to the position. You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire, if the position requires a driver's license. (The immediate vacancy with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney requires a valid driver's license.)Substitution of education for required legal clerical experience:Legal Secretary of Paralegal Certificate from an accredited college or university may be substituted for six (6) months of the required legal clerical experience;An Associates degree or higher from an accredited college or university may be substituted for lack of the required legal clerical experience on a year for year basis (examples: 30 college credits can be substituted for one (1) year of the required legal clerical experience, an Associates degree can be substituted for two (2) years of the required legal clerical experience, and a baccalaureate degree or higher can be substituted for four (4) years of the required legal clerical experience). (Scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to be credited for the substitution of legal clerical experience.)Note: Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official credential evaluation report to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official credential evaluation report to your application.) Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application. Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week. Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application. Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process. Knowledge of: Principles and practices of supervision; commonly used legal terms, practices, procedures, and forms; types of court actions and methods of court procedure; and law office practices and procedures. Ability to: Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of a clerical staff engaged in legal clerical activities; locate and abstract data from legal files and records; process and maintain legal records and documents; prepare reports; deal effectively with employees and the public; as applicable to the position, type or keyboard at a rate of 40 net words per minute which applicants may be required to demonstrate by satisfactorily passing an assessment exercise at the time of interview; and as applicable to the position, take dictation at a rate of 80 words per minute and transcribe notes accurately which applicants may be required to demonstrate by satisfactorily passing an assessment exercise at time of interview. Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Physical Effort Grouping: Light Benefits of County Employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.Credit Union MembershipOther Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.Supplemental InformationPlease scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required: