County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to take and transcribe legal dictation; to do legal clerical work of a difficult and specialized nature; to supervise stenographic and other clerical staff engaged in legal office work; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the fully qualified legal stenographic class. Positions are found in the County Counsel Department and the Public Defender's Office where incumbents work directly for attorneys and are assigned clerical duties which require a working knowledge of various legal documents and excellent clerical ability. Incumbents are expected to produce finished legal documents in proper legal format after receiving brief instructions, shorthand dictation, Dictaphone, or rough copy. Designated positions may be assigned supervisory or lead responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Takes and transcribes a wide variety of legal dictation including; pleadings, correspondence, agreements, contracts, orders, motions, complaints, petitions, subpoenas, affidavits, briefs from rough copy; types and assembles a variety of legal forms, outlines, instructions or established procedures.

2. Receives, reviews, routes and issues legal documents; maintains control of flow of documents and calendars hearings for attorneys.

3. Compares legal references dictated with legal reference books for accuracy of citations; arranges information in the proper legal form; composes legal papers and documents for which general forms are available.

4. Takes financial affidavits from applicants to determine if eligible for public defense counsel; answers inquiries at counter or by phone, screening calls to determine need for information.

5. May be assigned supervision of a small clerical unit, trains new employees and assigns and reviews work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of experience in the class of Stenographer II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in legal stenographic work that included preparing documents such as pleadings, briefs, legal citations.

Or III

Completion of at least one year of legal secretarial training in a recognized business college.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Legal office work, procedures and terminology; legal forms and documents.

Abilities:

• Taking dictation at a speed of 100 words per minute and accurately transcribing it on a typewriter; (incumbents of flexibly-staffed positions in the County Counsel’s Office may qualify at a speed of 80 words per minute); typing 50 words per minute from clear copy; spelling correctly and using good English; working independently in absence of specific instructions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Old document: Revised
TT:kb
11/19/77
LB:pb
Updated: 7/15/86
130h – Not on system
New document: Jobspecs/1213
ys/11/00

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.