Legal Assistant

Recruitment Number OHHI-26060 This recruitment is being conducted under the Operation Hire Hawaii (OH-HI) project, a targeted outreach initiative featuring an expedited hiring process, fast-tracking qualified applicants into job opportunities throughout Hawai’i. Applications received for this recruitment will be reviewed for Legal Authorization to work in the US. All applicants who pass the Legal Authorization review will be referred to the hiring department for consideration and an initial review of the application. Applicants who meet the initial review requirements at the departmental level may be contacted by the hiring program for an interview. All applicants interviewed by the hiring program will be notified of their selection or non-selection by the department. The application referral and potential interview conducted at the departmental level does not imply that applicants have met all Minimum Qualification Requirements. A thorough review of all applications received will be conducted by the Department of Human Resources Development and all applicants will be notified of the final disposition. This continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. The notice of the last day to file applications will be posted on the State of Hawaii's Civil Service Job Opportunities Listing page of our website. Salary: Legal Assistant II: $4,725 per month (SR-18, Step D) Legal Assistant III: $5,107 to $6,221 per month (SR-20, Step D to I) Note: The starting monthly salary for vacancies in Step D, is at the minimum rate of pay. For vacancies at Step D to I, hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant's qualifications, and other relevant factors. Performs substantive legal work which attorneys otherwise perform, except that Legal Assistants may not give independent legal advice, appear in court, or perform other duties that may constitute the unauthorized practice of law. Legal Assistants performs services such as: Providing preliminary legal consultation services which involves providing legal information, answering questions which are covered by attorneys' previous interpretations or decisions or referring those not so covered and otherwise serving as a conduit between attorneys and clients Performing legal research and preparing summaries of specific decisions, laws, statutes and legal subjects; Preparing cases for court hearings including the collection, analysis and evaluation of evidence for use by attorneys in court; and Writing drafts or outlines of briefs, memos, legal opinions, stipulations, orders and other legal documents for review, approval and use by attorneys. Level II is the independent worker in the series. Positions in this class reflect workers who are fully competent in basic Legal Assistant functions, procedures, techniques and skills. Level III is the journey worker level in the series. Positions in this class reflect workers who are under the general supervision of an attorney, positions at this level provide the full range of Legal Assistant services required in an assigned program area. Positions independently provide preliminary legal consultation services to line departmental personnel; establish evidence and develop cases; perform legal research; prepare drafts, outlines or summaries of legal subjects, laws, statutes, briefs and other legal documents and related duties. Work at this level may also include training new Legal Assistant employees. Applicants will be placed on the eligible list for ALL levels for which they are qualified. To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements: Legal Authorization to Work: The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States. LEGAL ASSISTANT II: General Experience/Education: Four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience that provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities; OR Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor’s degree. AND Specialized Experience: Two (2) years of paralegal work experience which demonstrates that the applicant possesses knowledge of rules of evidence; the legal system and procedures; legal research methods and sources of legal information; and that the applicant also has the ability to understand and explain legal processes and procedures; evaluate and analyze facts and legal issues; prepare legal reports, documents and correspondence; speak clearly, and follow oral and written instructions. LEGAL ASSISTANT III: General Experience/Education: Four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience that provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities; OR Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor’s degree. AND Specialized Experience: Four(4) years of paralegal work experience which demonstrates that the applicant possesses knowledge of rules of evidence; the legal system and procedures; legal research methods and sources of legal information; and that the applicant also has the ability to understand and explain legal processes and procedures; evaluate and analyze facts and legal issues; prepare legal reports, documents and correspondence; speak clearly, and follow oral and written instructions. Note: Experience as a legal stenographer or legal secretary involving only the checking, filing, and processing of legal forms and documents is not considered qualifying. Substitutions Allowed: Relevant substitutions as described in the Minimum Qualification Requirements will apply. The information provided above represents a summary of the complete Minimum Qualification Requirements. 02141:02142:062226:13:KJ The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io for assistance. PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF) PROGRAM The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click: ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS The Department of Human Resources Development (HRD) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs. Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email-box in a timely manner. In addition, please be aware that you may no longer receive notification about applications submitted if you choose to disable the Job Application Emails feature in your Account Settings. TESTING INFORMATION The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience. It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held. In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. In addition to employment availability and score, the referral of qualified applicants may be based upon other factors including date of receipt of application. for further information about Equal Employment Opportunity, the Merit Civil Service System, Citizenship and other requirements, Reasonable Accommodation, Veterans Preference, Examination Requirements, and the State Recruiting Office's Levels of Review. #J-18808-Ljbffr