Legal Secretary Job at Caltrans: California Department of Transportation in Cali

Legal Secretary

Department of Transportation

Job Description and Duties

Under general supervision of a Legal Support Supervisor I or Staff Services Manager I, the Legal Secretary provides secretarial support in a fast‑paced legal office of the Legal Division. The Los Angeles Legal Office is staffed with attorneys handling litigation and house counsel matters, investigators, paralegals, and administrative staff in the following major specialties of law: Tort, Construction Arbitration, Environmental, Contracts, Employment, Eminent Domain, Inverse Condemnation, other Real Property, legal opinions, and administrative matters. Traditionally each Legal Secretary is assigned to three to five attorneys and may provide clerical support and assistance to other professional staff. Legal Secretaries may receive assignments for back‑up purposes and provide assistance with overflow work. The Legal Secretary must be able to work in a team environment, have strong communication skills, work well under pressure and meet short deadlines. The Legal Secretary may be required to sit for extended periods of time to operate computers and transcribe dictation. In addition, the Legal Secretary may be required to stand for long periods of time to photocopy and assemble documents. Incumbent must possess a valid typing certification of 45WPM.

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Legal Secretary exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

Please take this 1‑minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Position located at 100 South Main Street, Suite 1300, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This is a Limited Term position which may be extended to 24 months or become permanent.

While at their base of operation, employees will work in a climate‑controlled office under artificial light. However, due to periodic problems with the heating and air conditioning, the building temperature may fluctuate. Employees will have to perform work duties in different court rooms throughout the state and therefore this position requires travel.

Telework may be available, but time in the office will be required.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• LEGAL SECRETARY

Special Requirements

• A current typing certificate (issued within the past four years) verifying a typing speed of a minimum of 45WPM is required.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state‑owned or leased vehicle.
• Please submit the Standard State Application (STD678).

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the final filing date.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or surplus eligibility. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this job posting. Application packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. If you choose not to apply electronically, a hard‑copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below.

Address for Mailing Application Packages

Department of Transportation Certification Services MS‑90 P O Box 168036 Sacramento, CA 95816‑8036 Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact

Address for Drop‑Off Application Packages

Department of Transportation Classification and Hiring Unit – ECOS 1727 30th Street, MS90 Sacramento, CA 95816 Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact Closed on weekends and State holidays. Hours: 08:00AM – 05:00PM

Required Application Package Documents:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form678 (or the electronic State Employment Application through your applicant account).
• Resume (required).

Desirable Qualifications

The position is in the Los Angeles Legal Office.

We are looking to join a dynamic legal practice providing full‑service support, advice, and representation to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Caltrans is responsible for 50,000 lane miles of highway and employs 22,000 people throughout the state. The Los Angeles Legal Office is a mid‑size legal office with approximately 40 attorneys handling legal matters for Caltrans’ districts which include District7 (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties) and portions of District8 (San Bernardino County).

Our overall environment is both supportive and challenging where employees are given substantial responsibility at every stage of their career.

As an employee of the State of California, the Caltrans Legal Division offers excellent compensation and benefits packages, including holidays, vacation, sick leave, and health, dental, vision, and pension benefits.

Benefits

Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Contact Information

Human Resources Contact: Ellaine Cupino, (916)201‑8424, ellaine.cupino@dot.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact: Joanne Kyles, (213)687‑6000, Joanne.Kyles@dot.ca.gov

EEO Contact: Caltrans EEO Office, (844)368‑3367, Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov