Legal Secretary

Position Summary

About the position

Performs legal secretarial duties for the attorneys in the Law Department, including drafting and filing of court filings, organization of litigation files, and assistance preparing for motions and trials in state and/or federal court, and other clerical work of moderate complexity requiring independent analysis, exercise of judgment, and considerable knowledge of legal procedures and processes.

About The Law Department

The City of Pittsburgh Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government. We provide legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, City officials and employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. The attorneys of the Law Department represent the City and its officials in litigation, including at trial and in appellate matters in state and federal courts.

The Law Department also represents the City as a municipal corporation in drafting legislation, negotiating and documenting transactions, handling real estate matters, and advising on operational matters.

The Law Department is located in the City-County Building (Pittsburgh’s “City Hall”), 414 Grant Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Department: Law

Posting Type: Announcement

Salary: $ 50,835 per year.

Union: None, this is a non-union position.

Civil Service Classification: Non-Competitive

Requirements

General Requirements

You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below), or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not su bject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application, including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable), and completed supplemental questions.
• Applicants must be or become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and must remain a resident throughout employment.
• Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments.

Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.

NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.

Qualifying Requirements

Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will receive notice of your eligibility status via email.

WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show one (1) year of full-time experience as a legal secretary, or one (1) year of full-time work in the legal field. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis).

EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a high school diploma or general equivalency. Preference is given for legal or paralegal training, or some college education. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).

EQUIVALENCY: Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The Total Qualifying Requirement is one (1) year.

(See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training.)

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.

• Written: None required for this position.
• Performance: None required for this position.
• Medical: None required for this position.

POSITION DUTIES

The duties listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.

• Serves as legal secretary to attorneys in the Law Department.
• Assists in the drafting, production, and maintenance of confidential legal documents (e.g. briefs, pleadings, motions, contracts, affidavits, praecipes, subpoenas, and petitions).
• Makes online filings of motions and pleadings in court as directed by attorneys.
• Proofreads copies and makes corrections as necessary.
• Schedules and coordinates depositions, meetings, conferences, hearings, and appointments utilizing manual and/or computerized calendar system; keeps track of and reminds lawyers of filing deadlines.
• Maintains case files for attorneys, performs data entry and retrieval, logs new cases and case status, and generates reports on City computer system.
• Establishes and maintains paper and computer records and filing systems.
• Receives, sorts, sends, and distributes mail and messages.
• Takes and relays accurate phone messages.
• Processes and tracks administrative aspects of legal matters.
• Uses office machines (computer, copier, etc.) and software (Word, Excel, Outlook, case management software, etc.) to perform tasks.
• Makes deliveries (including walking up to a half-mile radius) outside of the Law Department.
• Performs activities and functions of related personnel and other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.

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