County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of average to complex clerical assignments requiring the exercise of considerable initiative and judgment within the framework of the policies and procedures of the Office of the County Counsel; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a specialized clerical class found in the Office of the County Counsel. Incumbents in this classification perform duties requiring the exercise of initiative and independent judgment beyond that of the journey-level class of Clerk II. This class is distinguished from Specialist Clerk in that the work performed is of a legal nature and supports work performed by attorneys and/or Legal Secretaries in the Department.

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. Reads and processes various legal documents such as court calendars and court orders and other legal information necessary for maintaining records.
2. Enters, edits and retrieves legal data and prepares reports following established formats; may access confidential data files.
3. Reviews legal documents, files and cases to identify inaccurate, inconsistent and unclear, data and other information; notifies appropriate staff and may participate in resolving problem situations; checks court documents for proper authorization and obtains signatures.
4. Compiles data from multiple sources to complete and process legal forms, documents and reports in accordance with established principles; also files documents with the appropriate courts.
5. Types correspondence, reports, forms and legal or specialized documents related to the functions of the organizational unit to which assigned from drafts, notes or brief instructions.
6. Proofreads and checks typed and other materials for accuracy, completeness, compliance with departmental policies and correct English usage, including grammar, punctuation and spelling.
7. Establishes and maintains office and case files; researches and compiles information from files; closes and purges files according to established procedures.
8. May act as receptionist receiving and directing visitors and telephone calls; takes messages; provides information regarding County or department activities and functions to clients, the public and other staff.
9. May perform routine office support activities such as opening and distributing mail, ordering and maintaining office supplies, and monitoring and maintaining office common areas.
10. Operates standard office equipment such as word processors, personal or on-line computers, fax machines, printers, copiers and telephones.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in the class of Clerk II or in an equivalent or higher level clerical class in the Alameda County classified service working either in the Office of the County Counsel or in the office of the Public Defender.
Or II

The equivalent of two years full-time experience in the class of Clerk II or in an equivalent or higher level clerical class in the Alameda County classified service in a non-legal department performing a wide range of duties listed on the Clerk II job specification.

Or III

The equivalent of two years of full-time clerical experience working for attorneys or judges in a civil legal environment.

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:

• Modern office practices and procedures, including business and legal correspondence, filing and standard office equipment operations.
• Business and legal data processing principles and the use of word processing or personal computer equipment.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for typed materials.
• Correct English usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Record keeping principles and practices.
• General legal terminology.

Ability to:

• Learn to read and understand legal and court documents and extract relevant information.
• Perform detailed and complex legal office work accurately.
• Compose routine correspondence from brief instructions.
• Operate standard office equipment including a word processor, computer terminal, printer, fax machine, copier, and telephone.
• Use initiative and sound judgment within established guidelines.
• Prioritize work and coordinate several different activities.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of individuals.
• Organize and maintain accurate files and records.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BG:pf 1/15/03
Newspecs: 1241.doc
CSC Date: 9/3/03
DR:pf Revised 3/30/05
CSC Date: 5/11/2005

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.