Legal Secretary

WHO WE ARE: California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm that dismantles unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. We work with people priced out of private legal representation so they can uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Through our 17 Rural Justice Centers, communities can access a broad range of legal tools, including direct legal services, place-based advocacy to expand equity in civic institutions, and specialized litigation to advance civil rights.

• Position: Legal Secretary - Rural Reentry Initiative
• Experience: 1 + years of experience as a Legal Secretary or equivalent experience providing administrative support
• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Location: Modesto, Stanislaus County
• Other: FLSA Non-Exempt, Union Position, Full-Time

The Rural Re-entry Initiative operates a mass record clearing campaign, including Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Stanislaus counties. CRLA’s Rural Re-entry Initiative's purpose and vision is to stabilize rural communities by removing barriers to employment and housing by providing direct representation and legal education pertaining to criminal record clearing to under-represented, indigent individuals and families who face disparities in the criminal justice system due to their race and/or economic status.

The Rural Reentry Initiative Legal Secretary in Stanislaus County supports the Rural Reentry Initiative’s record clearing campaign efforts in Stanislaus, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The Legal Secretary reports to the Rural Reentry Initiative Directing Attorney.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain follow-up records relating to legal matters in process.
• Answer all incoming calls, transfer calls and take messages as necessary.
• Perform initial applicant screening for qualification and perform conflict checks.
• Enter case information into Case Management System (CMS), including but not limited to case notes and other internally required information.
• Greet office visitors, answer calls, and direct them to proper personnel.
• Sign for deliveries and notify personnel of deliveries.
• Provide general administrative support to the Administrative Legal Secretary when applicable and as appropriate.
• Perform other normal law office duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• At least one year of legal secretarial experience or equivalent.
• Type 55-60 w.p.m.
• Knowledge of computer software, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Windows.
• WordPerfect, Microsoft Office Suite, Table of Authorities, Internet & email skills.
• Ability to learn data entry and correctly enter information into CRLA’s CMS.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn and obtain proficiency in all office equipment functions such as copiers, fax, and scanners.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all CRLA staff, clients, and community organizations.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality at all times.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish).

Preferred Education and Experience--A highly qualified and desirable candidate would also have the following:

• Experience working with low-income families and communities.
• Experience in a non-profit legal services environment.
• Prior experience in legal services.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; generous benefits package which includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependents coverage; and 401K retirement plan with CRLA contribution effective immediately. Generous paid leave policy which includes; 15 days of sick leave, 12 days of wellness day off, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA). This is a union position (Legal Service Workers for Rural California "LSWRC" ), and the estimated starting hourly range for this position is $22.56 - $34.41 (placement in the range is primarily determined by years of related experience). The employee may qualify for a multilingual differential pay of $70 for oral and $50 for written, on a pay period basis. 

CRLA requires that all employees are Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.

APPLICATION:

CRLA invites all applicants to submit their resume and in their cover letter a statement about how their unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.

California Rural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.