Administrative Legal Secretary

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm dedicated to dismantling unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. For over five decades, we have partnered with communities priced out of private legal representation to uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Building on a radical legacy rooted in the farmworker movement and the War on Poverty, CRLA continues to fight for the rights and prosperity of rural Californians through bold advocacy, systemic change, and a vision of thriving, empowered communities. CRLA’s community-led legal services activate community power to achieve justice, ensuring our clients and partners have the tools to dismantle poverty, discrimination, and systemic inequities.

Location: Salinas
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Union Position: Yes
Schedule: Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

About the Role

The Administrative Legal Secretary (ALS) manages all communications, correspondence, typing of legal documents, filing, travel, calendar, and general organizational matters within the local office. The ALS is also responsible for managing legal expenditures, minimal litigation coordination with outside counsel, maintaining/organizing records of litigated and transaction matters, and vendor, supplier, and other office contracts.

Responsibilities

• Maintains all duties of the Legal Secretary position
• Assist with the new applicant and client intake process
• Maintain the court and appointment calendar
• Assure that legal deadlines are met in the processing of legal documents
• Maintain/archive confidential client files, and arrange for confidential document destruction as directed
• Administer petty cash and clients' trust accounts as needed
• Serve as coordinator of the office, training and coordinating the office clerical staff
• Delegate tasks to other clerical staff, coordinate clerical and litigation support responsibilities
• Assist in the interviewing and selection of clerical staff
• Disseminate information from statewide ALS meetings
• Maintain statistical records as required, creates and produces reports using Legal Server
• Maintain office administrative and personnel files
• Order and maintain office equipment and supplies as needed
• Coordinate building maintenance, process invoices, bills, statements, and check requests as needed
• Assist off-site IT personnel with the local provision of tech support
• Perform other office duties as assigned

Requirements

• Three (3) years of experience as a Legal Secretary or equivalent experience providing administrative support
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with all staff, clients, and community organizations
• Type 55-60 wpm, efficiently and correctly into the case management system
• Knowledgeable with Windows/Microsoft Office, Internet and willing to learn Legal Server and web-based programs
• Knowledgeable of office equipment such as copiers, facsimile machines, and scanners
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality of personnel and administrative records
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of law office management
• Bilingual (English & Spanish) preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with low-income families and communities
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment
• Prior experience in legal services

Benefits

• 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage
• 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately
• Generous paid leave policy including:
  • 15 days of sick leave
  • 15 holidays each year
  • Vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA)

Pay

This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California "LSWRC"), and the estimated starting hourly range for this position is $22.56 - $34.41 (placement in the range is primarily determined by years of related experience).

Additional Information

CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.