APPEALS BOARD LEGAL SECRETARY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) is a statutorily created judicial body. As the statewide administrative law court of appeal for workers' compensation cases, it decides appeals filed by aggrieved parties and their attorneys from decisions issued by approximately 210 statewide workers' compensation judges (WCJs) located in 24 state-wide district offices. These decisions affect the rights and liabilities of all workers' compensation stakeholders, including injured workers, employers, insurers, self-insured entities, medical providers, lien claimants, and other state agencies. The clerical and secretarial staff for the WCAB play a critical role in the WCAB's day-to-day functioning.


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 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 Duty Statement .

Working Conditions
This is a full-time position at the WCAB, located in an office environment in the 14-story State office building at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 9328, San Francisco, California. This unit is currently located on the 9th floor. The incumbent works in a cubicle in close proximity to 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.

The minimum requirements are defined in the Class Specification for Legal Secretary.


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


Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• LEGAL SECRETARY

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-519433


Position #(s):
400-330-1282-007
400-330-1282-XXX

Working Title:
APPEALS BOARD LEGAL SECRETARY


Classification:
LEGAL SECRETARY $4,371.00 - $5,473.00 A
$4,591.00 - $5,748.00 B
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.


# of Positions:
2


Work Location:
San Francisco County


Telework:
Hybrid


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Department Information
The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) was established in 1927. Its mission is to improve working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR administers and enforces laws governing wages, workplace safety and health, apprenticeship training programs, and medical care and other benefits for injured workers.

Electronic Submission of Applications preferred. Application Packages maybe submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on or before the above final filing date.

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the "Application Instructions" section below and ensure the following:

Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Title of this position in the "Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying" section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (cert, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the "Explanations" section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.
• Remove and do not submit the "Equal Employment Opportunity" questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.
• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Department Website:


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.


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: 6/23/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP 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.


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 Industrial Relations
Cert Mailing Address Sacramento
Attn: Human Resources/Certs Unit
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor


Sacramento , CA 95814


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


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


Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Drop Off Address Sacramento
Human Resources/Certs Unit
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor


Sacramento , CA 95814


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

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:


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 maintain confidentiality at all times 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 Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

State of California health coverage and other benefits are comprehensive and compare favorably to the private sector. Our building is located 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.


Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website:
Human Resources Contact:
Certification Unit
View phone number on click.appcast.io
View email address on click.appcast.io


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:
Diversity and Inclusion Office
View phone number on click.appcast.io
View email address on click.appcast.io
California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


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 View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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


DIR Mission and Core Values


Our mission is to protect and improve the welfare and working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR is also committed to ensuring that all employers comply with labor laws in California to support a fair and thriving business environment.

Integrity - We fulfill the promise of our mission through fair, honest and ethical behavior.

Service - We are committed to responsibly serving the public and value their trust.

Respect - We treat others with dignity, courtesy and consideration.

Quality - We take pride in providing the public with accurate and timely services.

Transparency - We conduct ourselves with openness and accountability in all aspects of our work.


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.