Legal Secretary



Legal Secretary

Salary

$19.73 - $28.76 Hourly

Location

(Lowry Building-345 Wabasha St N) Saint Paul, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

0460-20/11-002

Department

30A02-Cnty Atty/Admin/ClerStaff

Opening Date

11/19/2020

Closing Date

12/7/2020 4:30 PM Central

Basic Function

To provide secretarial support for attorneys, law clerks and paralegals by performing clerical and secretarial functions such as typing and transcribing legal and technical materials, providing information to staff attorneys and law enforcement personnel, ordering or receiving reports from social workers, law enforcement and other collaborative partners, scheduling court hearings, preparing subpoenas, maintaining case files, filing documents in district and/or federal court, and performing related duties as assigned.

If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with personnel rules (i.e. promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this job, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

Examples of Work Performed

  1. Type and/or transcribe a variety of legal correspondence, memoranda and other technical materials (including correspondence, opinions, briefs, contracts, affidavits, motions, petitions, dismissals, complaints, warrants, orders, recorded interviews and subpoenas) from copy, rough draft or from other electronic disclosure.
  2. Prepare various technical and legal documents from general instructions or by following standard procedures, to include responsibility for verifying the accuracy of legal citations.
  3. Electronically filing documents with the courts and arranging legal process service to appropriate parties.
  4. Proofread and edit work product for general phraseology and for proper legal form.
  5. Photocopy and assemble legal documents; compose routine correspondence, including letters of inquiry and acknowledgment, and trial notebooks; and may provide information regarding court appearance dates.
  6. Maintain files of correspondence and documents (e.g. filing, indexing, imaging).
  7. Contact other public agencies for information relevant to court cases or administrative proceedings, including but not limited to, certified documents, medical records, etc.
  8. Notarize documents.
  9. Record court hearings and related case information; image documents into the county attorney file management system; and index and categorize cases for future retrieval and reference.
  10. Schedule court hearings, depositions and related case matters.
  11. Complete statistical data forms and prepare reports.
  12. Prepare the billing information for the accountant to produce invoices for materials provided to outside/defense counsel.
  13. Request order for processing, printing and certified copies; and review and sign off on invoices.
  14. Create and maintain a positive working environment; work effectively in teams with enthusiasm and initiative to support the vision and mission of the office.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: An Associate's degree in legal secretarial studies, paralegal studies, criminal justice or a related field.

Experience: None.

Substitution: Completion of one year of post-secondary education and one year of legal office experience or three years of legal office experience may substitute for the education requirement.

Certifications/Licensure:  None.

Exam/Screening Process Information

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

  • Training & Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Legal Secretary will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire.  Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating.  The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on the answers - do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely.  Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List:  The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as an Legal Secretary. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for two (2) months or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list.

Veteran's PreferenceThis is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process.  Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. The Ramsey County Attorney's Office also requires a fingerprint-based records check in addition to the standard criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation:
Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application  You will need to print off this posting and also answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them if you complete a paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please
contact mirian.simpson@ramseycounty.us or by phone at (651) 266-2711.

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health and well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. For general information about Ramsey County's benefits packages, please visit our website at: https://www.ramseycounty.us/jobs/employee-benefits-and-policies.

01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Please select "yes" if you have read and understand.
  • Yes
  • No
02
Do you have an Associate's degree in legal secretarial/administrative studies, paralegal studies, criminal justice or related field?
  • Yes
  • No
03
In the previous question, if you indicated that you have an Associate's degree in legal secretarial/administrative studies, paralegal studies, criminal justice or a related field, in the space below please provide the name of the school you attended, the degree you received and the dates (mo/year to mo/year) that you attended. If this question does not apply to you, please type "N/A" in the space below.
04
If you do not have an Associate's degree as listed above, have you completed at least one year of post-secondary education AND have at least one year of legal office experience?
  • Yes
  • No
05
In the previous question, if you indicated that you have completed at least one year of post-secondary education and have at least one year of legal office experience, in the space below please provide the name of the school you attended, the education or degree program you are/were enrolled in, and the dates (mo/year to mo/year) that you attended. Please also include the name of the employer, your job title, and the dates (mo/year to mo/year) where you obtained at least one year of legal office experience. If this question does not apply to you, please type "N/A" in the space below.
06
If you do not have an Associate's degree and have not completed at least one year of post-secondary education as listed above, do you have at least three years of legal office experience?
  • Yes
  • No
07
In the previous question, if you indicated that you have at least three years of legal office experience, in the space below please provide the name of the employer, your job title, and the dates (mo/year to mo/year) where you obtained at least three years of legal office experience. If this question does not apply to you, please type "N/A" in the space below.
08
Please describe your experience working or interning as a legal secretary in a county, city or an attorney general's office. Include in your response the name of the county, city or attorney general, your job title, the dates (mo/year to mo/year), and the legal areas of law you worked or interned in. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
09
The Office of the Ramsey County Attorney handles several areas of law including, but not limited to, juvenile and adult criminal, family, litigation, civil, commitments, child support, child protection, etc. Please describe below the area(s) of law you have experience and include the type of work you performed in those area(s). If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
10
Legal secretaries in the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney are often assigned to multiple attorneys. In the space below, please list the number of attorneys you have worked for at one given time. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
11
Please describe any experience you have in implementing a process or procedure in a past job or at your current place of employment. Was it your idea or did you help brainstorm along with the group? At any time during the formulation process did you led the team or conversation? If so, please explain further. This may be a procedure that was already formulated that you helped lead or one that you had a hand in formulating. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
12
Please describe your experience transcribing legal dictation and recorded interviews. Please include in your response the amount of time in an average week that you have spent transcribing and your level of proficiency. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
13
Please describe your skill level using Microsoft Word. Please include in your response the functions of the program you have used such as formatting, using the table of contents, setting tabs, using wizards, inserting tables, mail merges, templates, etc. and your level of proficiency. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
14
Please describe your skill level using software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Outlook (including email and calendar experience), Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft PowerPoint, Olympus DSS Player Pro, Adobe Acrobat Pro, etc. Please include in your response the functions of the program(s) you have used and your level of proficiency. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
15
Electronic File and Serve (EFS) is a web-based system that is used to electronically file court documents in Minnesota Courts. Please describe your experience and number of years using this system. Also describe your experience in filing with the Federal Court and Court of Appeals. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
16
Please describe your experience in working with the Court of Appeals including any experience with State, Federal and Supreme Courts. Please also describe any experience preparing briefs. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
17
Please describe your experience working with outside agencies or institutions. Please include in your response the extent of interaction with the outside agencies and the frequency with which they occurred. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
18
The work performed by employees of Ramsey County requires frequent interaction, collaboration, relationship building, and problem solving with individuals from a variety of diverse cultural, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Office of the Ramsey County Attorney is committed to building a culturally competent work environment in which our employees have the skills to interact effectively and respectfully with people of cultures that are different than their own. Please briefly describe your own professional, personal or volunteer experience working or interacting with diverse cultural, racial, ethnic or socioeconomic populations. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.
19
Do you have or have you ever held a professional license?
  • Yes
  • No
20
If you answered "Yes" to question #19, please list the type of license(s) and the State or jurisdiction the license is or was held; also indicate the status of your license(s). If this does not apply to you, please type "N/A" in the space provided.

Required Question

Agency
Ramsey County
Address
121 East Seventh Place
Suite 4000
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101
Phone
(651) 266-2700