Legal Secretary

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Legal Support Supervisor I, the Appeals Board Legal Secretary performs a wide variety of complex legal secretarial work, including processing legal pleadings filed with the WCAB, preparing and circulating deliberation files to commissioners, and assisting attorneys with preparing, proofreading and finalizing orders, opinions and decisions of the WCAB. The Legal Secretary also assists attorneys with preparing appellate briefs, motions, letters and answers for filing with the state appellate courts.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Review and process legal documents filed with the WCAB.
• Prepare electronic case files for circulation to commissioners for deliberation.
• Consult with judges, legal secretaries and staff at the district offices about reports, pleadings and exhibits to ensure an adequate record to address the appeal.
• Format, proofread, finalize and serve legal orders, opinions and decisions by the WCAB.
• Assist attorneys with preparing appellate briefs, motions, letters and answers.
• Monitor electronic files from circulation for approval of decisions through to service.
• Maintain case assignment list and assist with organization of hard copy files.
• Review and process incoming mail and emails from parties, judges and arbitrators.
• Respond to phone and in-person inquiries about cases with the WCAB.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Legal Secretary job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin: 

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is at:
455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 9328
San Francisco, California

Located in an WCAB office environment in the 14-story State office building  This unit is currently located on the 9th floor. The incumbent works in a cubicle near others. The position requires work extensively on computers, scanners, copiers, telephones, and/or shredders as necessary for processing work, drafting email communication, and other purposes. Reasonable accommodation is available to qualified employees with disabilities. Teleworking per DIR policy is available. Being in a stationary position for long periods of time.

The hours are usual business hours, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week.

Our building is in San Francisco, approximately two blocks from the Civic Center BART station and close to multiple other public transit lines. Benefits include reimbursement of use of public transportation such as BART or other public transit systems.

Special Requirements

The position requires the ability to type at a minimum speed of 45 words per minute as designated on the Class Specifications. You must obtain a valid typing certificate confirming your ability to meet the minimum typing speed, prior to being hired. Additional information regarding acceptable typing tests is available at the CalCareers.ca.gov website.

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:

Knowledgeable in the proper use and understanding of legal terminology and their use in various legal forms and documents. A demonstrated ability to learn legal concepts, terminology and technical legal terms. Knowledge of workers’ compensation law and/or labor and employment law. Prior experience as a legal secretary for one year or more, or as a paralegal for two years or more. Must have knowledge of legal concepts, terminology and technical legal terms. The incumbent is expected to always maintain confidentiality due to the access to sensitive information and the nature of the work performed. The incumbent must have the ability to follow the policies and procedures of the WCAB, work with staff at all levels, be dependable, and communicate effectively to complete work assignments.

Benefits

DIR employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and retirement benefits.

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

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at Show phone number.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.