Tampa Police Department Legal Assistant II

This is highly responsible and confidential legal secretarial work.

Employees in this class perform specialized and confidential secretarial and administrative assignments for one or more assistant city attorneys.  Work is of more than average difficulty and might be in a particular area of emphasis, such as workers’ compensation, litigation, pension, real property, contracts, agreements, leases, or bankruptcy, depending on the attorney(s) to which assigned.  The legal nature of work assignments requires that all tasks be performed accurately and in strict conformance with established policies and procedures as well as rules of the court.  Although under general supervision, employees are expected to function largely  independently and are expected to exercise reasonable initiative and independent judgment in responding to inquiries from municipal employees, department managers and the general public, in addressing administrative matters not involving policy determinations, and in recognizing and immediately bringing to attorney’s attention matters of priority concern.  Work is reviewed through conferences, completed work, and results obtained. Appointed unclassified, non-exempt position.

Independently performs clerical assignments as well as complex legal related duties involving knowledge of applicable laws and procedures and the functions of the courts; answers questions regarding established policies, and processes complaints from employees and the general public.

 

Takes and transcribes dictation;   prepares legal documents such as interrogatories, briefs, affidavits, complaints, and motions for attorney’s review; prepares such legal forms as notices of hearing, depositions and trials; prepares subpoenas for deposition and trials; types drafts of proposed legislation.

 

Receives and screens telephone calls and provides information whenever possible; receives correspondence and prepares responses as required; makes appointments for assigned attorney(s) with department directors, doctors, witnesses, other attorneys, the Mayor, members of City Council, or others.

 

Maintains an efficient and organized filing system; locates information based on limited instructions; prepares reports from cases on a quarterly basis.

 

Keeps calendar of appointments, hearings, trials, and other activities for the attorney.

 

Performs information searches and compiles data on assigned projects; attends meetings and conferences as a recording secretary; uses computer or typewriter to independently prepare reports, papers, resolutions, forms, correspondence, and other legal documents based on research, or from information obtained or furnished by assigned attorney.

 

Handles confidential documents according to procedures in order to maintain their security.

 

Receives, accounts for and processes funds for payments of damage to city property.

 

Operates calculator, computer, copier machine, microfiche/film viewer, transcription equipment; utilizes a wide variety of computer software for various tasks.

 

Delivers, distributes, and collects mail, supplies, and other materials in absence of other staff.

 

Performs related work as required.

Considerable knowledge of:  business English and mathematics; standard office practices, procedures and equipment; legal terminology and forms; rules, regulations, procedures, and functions of the department; pertinent municipal codes, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations; municipal organizations, programs and policies; functions of the court.

Ability to:  understand and follow complex oral and written instructions; compose, edit and correct draft correspondence, reports and other documents for final typing or production; type and take and transcribe dictation accurately and at a prescribed rate of speed; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, municipal officials and the general public.

Skill in:  typing; taking and transcribing dictation.

Graduation from an accredited high school preferably supplemented by legal secretarial courses, and three (3) years of responsible legal secretarial experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license required.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

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