PRINCIPAL LEGAL SECRETARY 0062
DISTINGUISHING
FEATURES OF THE CLASS
Under general
supervision, an employee in this class performs legal secretarial work of
considerable responsibility for the unit head of a major bureau or division of
a municipal law department. The
incumbent performs secretarial duties for a unit head while directing the
activities of a clerical support staff.
The incumbent performs a variety of responsible and complex legal
secretarial tasks requiring independent judgment and action, including the
frequent making of decisions in accordance with departmental policies and
practices. The
employee, if qualified, may be asked to take dictation, but stenographic skill
is not a requirement for positions in the class. Performance is reviewed by an
administrative supervisor for achievement of desired results. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK
ACTIVITIES
Assists the attorneys in preparing
legal opinions, briefs, pleadings and memoranda of law;
Plans, assigns, directs and reviews
the work of a clerical support staff;
Maintains complete files of legal
and court actions and of related material, court calendars and opinions;
Prepares and compiles legal
documents for presentation by attorneys at hearings and trials;
Answers correspondence in accordance
with well-defined policies and procedures;
Operates standard office machines,
including a word processor.
FULL PERFORMANCE
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough
knowledge of legal terminology, the general course of legal proceedings and
legal forms; thorough knowledge of business English, spelling and punctuation;
ability to plan, assign and review the work of a clerical support staff in a
manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to compose
letters, maintain records and write reports; skill in typing accurately at a
reasonable speed; ability to utilize case reports, opinions, decisions, docket
entries and other pertinent material in preparation of briefs and pleadings;
physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
OPEN COMPETITIVE
Either:
(a)
Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college,
university or business school with an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies, Secretarial
Science or Legal Secretary specialization, and three (3) years of experience in
a law office working with legal documents such as briefs, motions, petitions,
etc.; or,
(b)
Successful completion of a Paralegal
or
Legal Secretary Certificate
course given by an accredited college or
business school, and four (4) years of experience in a law office, working with
legal documents such as briefs, motions, petitions, etc.; or,
(c)
Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high
school equivalency diploma, and five (5) years of experience in a law office
working with legal documents such as briefs, motions, petitions, etc.; or,
(d)
An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the
limits of a) b) and c).
PROMOTIONAL
Two (2) years of permanent
competitive status as a Senior Legal Secretary.
02/03/2011
Competitive