Judicial Assistant

The State of California, Court of Appeal, Division Three of the Fourth Appellate District located in Santa Ana is accepting applications for the position of Judicial Assistant.

This on-site/in-person position provides complex paralegal, legal secretarial and office administrative support to appellate court justices and attorneys. The Judicial Assistant serves the entire division and is assigned as needed to substitute during illnesses, vacations and other absences as well as to assist with added workload assignments and special projects. The Court offers a generous compensation and benefits package, including opportunities for remote work and flexible scheduling, subject to the direction and approval of the justice or supervisor.

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month for qualifying commuting costs
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flex Elect Program
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)

The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• General functions and organization of the judicial system and the roles and functions of other legal and law enforcement agencies.
• Legal and administrative office practices and procedures.
• Complex legal concepts, terminology, principles, and procedures.
• Methods of complex legal research (traditional and electronic).
• Calendar management and scheduling.
• Computers and the use of computer applications.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation, with emphasis on legal terminology.

• Learn California trial and appellate court practices and procedures.
• Verify the accuracy of complex legal documents and research (traditional and electronic).
• Understand, interpret and apply complex legal concepts, terminology, principles, and procedures.
• Operate computers and other standard office equipment, using standard business software and automated case management systems; interpret and apply technical manuals and tutorials.
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work activities and meet critical deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
  Maintain confidentiality; use tact, discretion and courtesy in dealing with sensitive materials and situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including justices, court staff, and representatives of other governmental and private agencies.
• Train others in policies and procedures related to work.
• Communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing; learn the California Style Manual.

Equivalent to six (6) years of legal secretarial experience, including four (4) years of technical legal research.

OR

Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of legal secretarial experience, including technical legal research.

Additional directly related experience and/or college-level coursework may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for either of the paths outlined above.

OR

One (1) year as a Deputy Clerk OR two (2) years as a Lead Judicial Secretary or Assistant Deputy Clerk III OR three (3) years as a Judicial Secretary II with the judicial branch.

Equivalent years of experience performing the duties of a class comparable in the level of responsibility to the classes listed above in a California Superior Court or California state-level government entity also qualify.

Ability to accurately type 55 words per minute