Legal Assistant / Law Clerk III - Programs for Exceptional Children Department (2019-20)

PCN7326

TITLE:

Legal Assistant/Law Clerk III

REPORTS TO:

General Counsel

DEPARTMENT:

Legal Office

CLASSIFICATION:

Classified Management Confidential

FLSA:

Exempt

WORK YEAR/HOURS

261 Days/7.5 Hours, or

Duty Days/Hours as assigned

ISSUED:

August 2007

SALARY GRADE:

CFCO 14

BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of the General Counsel and/or designee, prepares or assists in the preparation of legal documents for all types of litigation pertaining to the school district; performs legal research in all areas of the law; investigates, organizes, and prepares for, and represents the District in administrative hearings, small claims court, and student disciplinary hearings; and does other related work as required.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements).

E = Essential Functions

Drafts legal documents including discovery, administrative, pre-trial and/or trial documents, pleadings, motions, correspondence, and memoranda; E

Gathers, organizes, summarizes and analyzes materials obtained through the pre-trial/project oriented process; E

Provides support to attorneys during the hearing, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial process; E

Provides logistical support, including filing legal documents or collecting legal documents at a variety of venues; E

Researches specific questions of law for precedence, related case law, and/or citations and summarizes research in memoranda or reports; E

Analyzes or distinguishes cases that may have relevance and present conclusions to attorneys; E

Responds to inquiries from the public; E

Investigates, organizes, and prepares for, and may represent the District in personnel disciplinary hearings, grievance arbitrations, PERB hearings, other administrative hearings, small claims court, and student disciplinary hearings; E

Assists in reviewing and revising administrative policies and regulations of the District; E

Assists in providing information and advice to District departments; E

Serves as liaison between the Office of the General Counsel and other District and outside offices;

Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Graduation from college. Completion of first year law school or certificate from Paralegal Training Program.

Graduation from law school or completion of a certificated paralegal course of study is highly desirable.

Experience: At least six years of full time experience as a legal assistant, including experience which demonstrates knowledge of the California Code of Civil Procedure, municipal, State and Federal codes, and local court rules.

Directly related experience beyond the one year minimum may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis up to two years.

Experience handling complex litigation cases or preparing for and providing representation at administrative hearings is highly desirable.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Valid California driver's license.

Employment eligibility that may include fingerprints, Tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Legal terminology, administrative law and judicial processes.

Principles of legal research, maintenance and use of the legal library.

Effective investigatory techniques

Complex, specialized legal office procedures, computers and other office equipment

Complex record-keeping techniques; correct English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

District policies, applicable sections of the State Education Code and other laws and regulations

ABILITY TO:

Conduct legal research and prepare legal documents, including drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery documents, using correct legal terminology, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; review large quantities of data; organize and prepare a summary and make recommendations; conduct interviews and prepare witnesses; prepare for and provide representation at administrative hearings; provide legal assistant support during trial and court or administrative hearings; conduct discovery; make independent judgments within established guidelines; organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments with a minimum of direction; monitor progress of cases and projects as appropriate; follow oral and written directions; use computers for word processing, case management, and legal research; use appropriate work methods, techniques and equipment; balance multiple priorities; perform work independently with a minimum of supervision; exercise diplomacy, tact and good judgment; assume responsibility; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Work in fast-paced environment with constant interruptions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT:

Office environment; with constant interruptions standard. Periodic driving to locations to perform duties will be necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Hearing, speaking and standing. Sit and use hands to manipulate, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Walk, reach with hands and arms, occasionally climb or balance, and stoop, kneel or crouch. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.



Primary Location: PEC Special Ed Local Plan Area (SELPA)
Salary Range: Per Year
Shift Type: Full-Time

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