Legal Clerk I/II/III (Sheriff's Office Only)

Job Description:

Legal Clerk I/II/III (Sheriff's Office Only)

Description

About the Opportunity

****This recruitment is only for positions within the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office****

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will embrace the Sheriff's Office emphasis of protecting and serving our community; will be outgoing with strong customer service skills and the ability to work within an information sensitive environment. The candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks while working under pressure. Must be willing to be part of a team who works closely with other various agencies, county staff and the public.

To Learn more about the Sheriff's Office, click here .

THE POSITION

RECORDS DIVISION

Legal Clerks assigned to the Records Division must have strong customer service, exceptional time management and organizational skills to perform a variety of highly responsible and sensitive administrative work. These Legal Clerks perform a variety of complex specialized office duties, which include but not limited to transcribing reports using proper English grammar, sentence structure and punctuation, maintaining reports, citations, criminal records, court-related documents and various other records. They support the technical function of patrol operations and play a critical role in the criminal justice system. Clerks establish and maintain effective working relationships with government agencies and the public on a frequent basis. Clerks enter, maintain and retrieve data and information from a variety of law enforcement records systems including California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (CLETS). Clerks will analyze and submit statistical data that meet federal regulations and requirements. They will need to understand and follow oral and written instructions while maintaining confidential sheriff’s department records and reports by adhering to established guidelines and regulations governing law enforcement records.

ADULT DETENTION DIVISION

Legal Clerks assigned to the Adult Detention Division, work closely with newly arrested incarcerated persons. Adult Detention Legal Clerks are responsible for entering and distributing all booking data and paperwork for anyone arrested and booked in Stanislaus County, while adhering to set Policy and Procedures, as well as state and Federal guidelines. These Legal Clerks process/update all information for defendant’s court hearings, to include calculating court ordered sentences and determining a defendant’s release. They run criminal history checks on arrestees and potential visitors, process various types of legal documents for the Sheriff’s department and other law enforcement agencies, screen all potential visitors, assist the public, and law enforcement agencies. Legal Clerks are expected to provide professional customer service to all arrestees, the public, and all law enforcement agencies in all encounters.. The Adult Detention division is a fast-paced environment that processes time sensitive documents to comply with title 15 compliance and various other laws and regulations, while maintaining the confidentiality of confidential information as required by law. Legal Clerks assigned to Adult Detention do not have direct physical contact with arrestees, however they are in close proximity and will be expected to communicate with them. Legal Clerks in Adult Detention, must have strong multi-tasking skills, and hold a high level of professionalism and customer service skills.

LEGAL CLERK I $19.64 - $23.87 Hourly
LEGAL CLERK II $20.51 - $24.94 Hourly
LEGAL CLERK III $22.39 - $27.22 Hourly

Full time Legal Clerks who are assigned to perform work in the Adult Detention Facilities shall be paid, in addition to regular salary, a custodial facility assignment pay of ten percent (10%). The custodial facility assignment pay shall be prorated on a minimum eight (8) hour shift basis.

Full time Legal Clerks who are assigned to work swing shift will receive shift differential pay of five percent (5%) in addition to their regular salary and those assigned to work graveyard shift will receive shift differential pay of seven-and-one-half percent (7.5%) in addition to their regular salary.

All Legal Clerk positions at the Sheriff's Department are subject to shift work which includes working nights, swings, weekends, and holidays. Shift change occurs every six (6) months at which point all Legal Clerks not in a specialty assignment may be assigned to a different shift.

The Legal Clerk series is block budgeted to allow an employee who meets the minimum qualifications and has satisfactory or above performance evaluations to advance to the next level in the series.

The Legal Clerk I is the entry- level class of the Legal Clerk series. Initially under direct supervision, incumbents learn the basics of the job assigned, along with County and Department policies and procedures. Legal Clerk II performs independently with gained knowledge and experience in all areas of the job assigned. Legal Clerk III is the journey level position and requires advanced proficiency in all areas of the job assigned. Incumbents normally advance to the higher level after gaining progressively responsible experience and achieving proficiency, which meet the qualifications for the next step in the Legal Clerk Series.

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Office Worker/Clerical Bargaining Unit for labor relations purposes.

Individuals who are in a full-time classified position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months for a total of eighteen months.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

Part-time extra-help is a provisional classification where permanent status may not be obtained. This position is subject to overtime, standby, shift, and callback assignments and will perform related duties as assigned. This position is non-benefited except for participation in a 401a program with Nationwide.

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Typical Tasks

• Provide customer service and confer with staff, attorneys, and the general public in answering questions;
• Process and interpret various legal forms, documents, and procedures such as minute orders, warrants, detainers, etc.;
• Process and type correspondence, notices, and forms including record search forms and failure to appear letters;
• Perform data entry;
• Reconcile daily cash transactions;
• Determine eligibility for release;
• File documents and case files;
• Retrieve and distribute all facility and incarcerated persons mail;
• Release of incarcerated persons property and/or clothing;
• Respond and answer incarcerated persons request forms;
• Process and type arrest reports, traffic citations, restraining orders, etc., including transcription;
• Monitor and distribute teletype messages;
• Complete court runs and bookings;
• Assemble and maintain files, search for missing documents and files;
• Answer and screen incoming calls and sign up visitors;
• Data entry for newly arrested defendants;
• Book newly arrested incarcerated persons ;
• Maintain a good rapport with staff and the public;
• Provide the District Attorney’s office information including case filings, additional reports, and criminal history to prosecute cases in court;
• Respond to public records requests and release in accordance with the Public Records Act;
• Receive and process requests for background checks;
• Sort and distribute mail received in Records;
• Operates a variety of computer software such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, and programs specific to the Sheriff’s Office;
• Performs various entry and maintenance transactions involving stolen vehicles, missing persons, restraining orders, stolen property, etc., within state and national law enforcement telecommunication system databases (CLETS/NLETS);
• Transcription involving legal terminology;
• Answer phone calls and respond to citizen questions, directing to appropriate agency, department, or staff, as appropriate;
• Assist deputies with information related to agency warrants, criminal history, and records checks; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

KNOWLEDGE
LEGAL CLERK I and II

• Basic data processing principles and the use of word processing or personal computer equipment in legal clerical operations/settings; and
• English grammar, spelling and proper punctuation.
  

LEGAL CLERK III
Demonstrated knowledge of Legal Clerk I and II requirements, plus:

• Legal terminology and forms;
• Legal clerical procedures and operations;
• Advanced clerking operations for legal offices and/or law enforcement;
• General codes pertaining to legal offices and law enforcement; and
  
• English grammar, spelling and proper punctuation.

SKILLS/ABILITIES
LEGAL CLERK I

• Type accurately at the speed which permits successful job performance;
• Operate general office equipment;
• Understand modern office practices and procedures, including filing, basic mathematics, and record keeping;
• Perform detailed legal clerical work;
• Accurately carry out oral and written instructions;
• Maintain order and consistency in filing processes and meeting deadlines;
• Read, write and speak effectively;
• Learn and apply basic California statutes, new laws, amendments and local rules related to assigned duties;
• Understand and apply procedures in department manuals pertaining to legal forms and processes; and
• Travel to other department sites.

LEGAL CLERK II
Demonstrated skills/ability with Legal Clerk I qualifications, plus:

• Perform clerical assignments of average difficulty with speed and accuracy;
• Type accurately at the speed which permits successful job performance;
• Work independently and exercise common sense and sound judgment in the performance of duties;
• Deal tactfully and courteously with those contacted in the course of work;
• Keep accurate records and perform basic mathematics consistent with job assignment;
• Apply and remain abreast of new laws, amendments and local rules as related to assigned duties and responsibilities;
• Calendar cases;
• Assist with training;
• Provide information concerning procedures and forms for filing civil probate, criminal and juvenile actions to clerical staff, attorneys and the general public; and
• Process incoming police reports.

LEGAL CLERK III
Demonstrated skills/ability with Legal Clerk I and II qualifications, plus:

• Independently and accurately perform difficult legal clerical work;
• Instruct and monitor line personnel in legal office procedures and techniques;
• Type accurately at the speed which permits successful job performance;
• Manage various legal projects simultaneously, and maintain order and consistency;
• Exercise independent judgment in decision making;
• Lead and train co-workers;
• Research and apply laws, amendments, and rules related to assignment;
• Prepare complex legal documents; and
• Update and revise procedures.
  

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
LEGAL CLERK I

• Equivalent of one (1) year full-time, general office experience involving typing; OR
• One (1) year of relevant college or business school training; AND
• Applicants must be able to type at least 35 WPM (net corrected).
  

LEGAL CLERK II

• One (1) year of experience as a Legal Clerk I in County Government; OR
• Two (2) years of general clerical experience of which one (1) year involved work in a law enforcement, legal secretarial/clerical secretarial capacity; AND
• Applicants must be able to type at least 35 WPM (net corrected).
  

LEGAL CLERK III

• One (1) year of experience as a Legal Clerk II in County Government; OR
• Three (3) years of general clerical experience of which two (2) years involved work in a law enforcement, legal secretarial/clerical secretarial capacity. Note: One (1) year of relevant college or business school training may be substituted for one (1) year of the general clerical required experience; AND
• Applicants must be able to type at least 35 WPM (net corrected).

Legal Clerk I is a Veterans’ Preference Program eligible job classification. For more information please click here .

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.

• A typing certificate, within 4 years, of 35 WPM (net corrected) from any temporary agency or comparable institution. The certificate must be a three to five minute timed test OR verification of data entry ability at a speed of not less than 7,000 strokes per hour (accurate and skillfully).

Please note that it is in the best interest of the candidate to submit a typing certificate as this department will only consider hiring those that attach one at application.

TYPING CERTIFICATE
A typing certification (within four years) from Workforce Development, a temporary staffing agency or a comparable institution is required to be attached to your application to be considered for desirable qualifications. Internet typing certificates are not accepted. The certificate must be a three (3) to five (5) minute timed test and net corrected of 35 words per minute (WPM). Typing certificates must be on agency letterhead, dated and signed by the issuing agency and have net words per minute listed.

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: May 02, 2025, by 5:00pm

Written Examination: TBD

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department .

GENERAL INFORMATION

Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary .

Closing Date/Time: 5/2/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$40,851.20 - $56,617.60 Annually