Extra Help Law Clerk

Extra help positions are temporary roles with varying hours and duration, assigned across multiple County departments throughout Tulare County. Employees may not exceed 1,559 hours in any fiscal year (July–June) and do not receive benefits. Applications remain active for six months; reapplication is required after completing an assignment. The current vacancy is with the Public Defender’s office in Visalia.

Typical Duties

• Assist in preparing legal documents, including agreements, deeds, trial briefs, points and authority on motions, writs, and appeals.
• Study, interpret, and apply ordinances, statutes, regulations, court decisions, and other legal authority for case preparation, opinions, and briefs.
• Review, analyze, and draft contracts and other legal documents.

For a full list of duties, refer to the job specification.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to completion of one (1) year at a law school accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California, or successful completion of the first-year law student’s examination (California mini-bar).

Knowledge

• Basic legal terminology and documents.
• Structure of courts, judicial system, and local government roles, powers, and authorities.
• Legal research methods.
• Criminal/civil law and procedure, contracts, and administrative law (based on department assignment).

Skills/Abilities

• Work and communicate effectively with diverse education and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Operate contemporary office equipment, including computers and electronic devices.
• Conduct online legal research.
• Analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems.
• Present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly.
• Analyze factual deficiencies in view of legal principles.
• Read and comprehend complex legal language.
• Write clear, concise, and accurate legal documents.
• Work under deadline pressure.
• Communicate verbally to convey legal information or ideas.
• Record and condense information accurately.
• Organize and coordinate work effectively.
• Work collaboratively with co-workers.
• Retain and recall information.
• Follow instructions precisely.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Establish cooperative working relationships with attorneys, support staff, clients, law enforcement, and the public.

Desirable Employment Standards

Knowledge Of:

• Legal citations to assist attorneys.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Trial procedures and rules of evidence.

Skill/Ability To:

• Make effective presentations in courtroom settings or local agency public meetings.

Additional Information

• Candidates may be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
• A background investigation may be conducted (re-investigation every 10 years for some positions).
• Employment Eligibility Verification (E-Verify) may be required on the first day for some positions.
• Some positions may require a physical exam.

This position may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only payments made after October 1, 2007, under a qualified repayment plan are eligible.

Supplemental Questions

All candidates must complete the following questions to be considered:

• Describe your experience preparing legal documents in various areas of law, demonstrating your ability to research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents.
• Describe how you have applied your writing skills in preparing correspondence, briefs, or opinions.
• Describe your skill and experience using statutes, legal citations, and criminal laws/procedures to identify legal issues for motions, writs, or appeals.
• Have you attended and completed one year of law school? If so, list dates of attendance, units completed, and the name of the accredited law school.
• Have you taken and passed the California Mini Bar Examination? If so, list the date completed and attach your notification of passing.