Legal Technician I

This examination is being given to fill three vacancies in the District Attorney's Office and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies. Qualified candidates must be currently employed by the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office and meet all eligibility requirements for promotional opportunities.

About the role

This is a departmental promotion for current employees of the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.

Responsibilities

• Type a wide variety of complex legal documents requiring knowledge of proper legal formats, including writs, appeals, briefs, complaints, contracts, motions, depositions, and warrants from copy, written drafts, or dictation machines.
• Prepare indices, tables of authorities, and proofs of service for legal documents.
• Process legal documents, ensuring conformance with Superior and Municipal Court, District Court of Appeal, and California Supreme Court procedures.
• Prepare and maintain case files, including receiving, indexing, and filing legal documents and correspondence.
• Maintain case calendar books and filing systems.
• File legal papers with appropriate courts.
• Gather and compile information for records and reports, including maintaining caseload statistics by type and disposition.
• Code, post, and summarize court actions, and enter data on computer terminals.
• Provide information to other agencies, attorneys, and the general public regarding general criminal court procedures.
• Screen calls and visitors, take and transmit messages, and provide technical information on regulations, laws, or procedures under the direction of an attorney.
• May act as lead worker, review work of others, and train others as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge

• Legal terminology and procedures.
• Legal forms and documents.
• General office practices and procedures.
• Language mechanics, including grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
• Filing systems and basic mathematics.
• Public relations procedures.

Abilities

• Work independently.
• Transcribe legal material from dictation machines.
• Read and interpret legal documents, rules, and procedures.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Operate word processors and perform basic computer terminal entry.

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Mobility: Frequent operation of a data entry device, repetitive motion, sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing.
• Lifting: Frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds.
• Visual: Constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision.
• Hearing/Talking: Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person.
• Emotional/Psychological: Frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact.
• Special Requirements: Some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime.
• Environmental: Occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Choice of three health plans (Kaiser, Select, Premier). Employees pay a portion of the premium; dependent coverage available.
• Dental Insurance: Choice of two dental plans (Delta Dental, United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan). No cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage available at employee’s expense.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). No cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage available at employee’s expense.
• Life Insurance: Coverage based on years of service:
  • 1 but less than 3 years: $1,000
  • 3 but less than 5 years: $3,000
  • 5 but less than 10 years: $5,000
  • 10 years or more: $10,000
  Employees may purchase additional term life insurance at the group rate.
• 125 Flexible Benefits Plan: Voluntary program allowing pre-tax dollars for health-related expenses (Health Flexible Spending Account: $2,550 annual limit with $500 carryover) and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan: $5,000 annual limit).
• Retirement Plan: Covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937. Visit SJCERA for details.
• Deferred Compensation: Plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. Annual contribution limit: $22,500 (or 100% of includible compensation, whichever is less). Individuals age 50 or older may contribute up to $30,000. Roth IRA (after-tax) also available.
• Vacation:
  • 10 days each year up to 3 years of service.
  • 15 days after 3 years.
  • 20 days after 10 years.
  • 23 days after 20 years.
• Holidays: 14 paid holidays each year (effective July 1, 2017).
• Sick Leave: 12 working days annually with unlimited accumulation. Eligible for eight hours of administrative leave if leave balance equals at least half of cumulative accrual and employee is on payroll for the entire calendar year.
• Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of a qualifying family member; 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child.
• Merit Salary Increase: New employees start at the first step of the salary range. Eligible for a merit increase to the next step after 52 weeks (2,080 hours) on each step.
• Educational Reimbursement Program: Up to $850 per fiscal year for career-related coursework. Up to $800 per semester ($1,600 per fiscal year) for approved four-year college or university academic programs.
• Parking Supplemental: County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.
• School Activities: Up to 40 hours per year (not more than 8 hours per month) to participate in children’s school activities.

Pay

Approximate salary: $4,149.27 - $5,043.47 per month.

Schedule

Full-time. Some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime.