Legal Secretary

Description

First review after one week: 12/23/2024
Start date intended for after January 1, 2025.

CORE VALUE STATEMENT
The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship, and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources, and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT
We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and by the City's Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action; emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Under general supervision, performs legal administrative/secretarial duties in support of the City Attorney, and Assistant City Attorneys. Incumbent provides assistance to public, victims, witnesses, and defendants unfamiliar with the court system and City departments needing information relating to the legal activities of the City. Provides, coordinates, and manages a wide variety of confidential legal and administrative activities for the City Attorney’s Office. This is a single position classification and is not part of a series.

Examples of Work Performed (Illustrative Only)

The following list reflects the essential job duties and responsibilities of this classification but should not be considered all-inclusive. The incumbent will be expected to perform other related duties as assigned.

• Assists City Departments and the City Attorney in review and formatting of ordinances and resolutions for Council Packets; maintains official version of administrative code.
• Composes and/or prepares letters, memos, and other correspondence as required by the City Attorney and staff. Types pleadings, agreements, legal notices, resolutions, ordinances, and other legal documents.
• Coordinates with staff for the timely completion of work, ensuring that all correspondence and legal documents are properly formatted, completed, and filed within strict deadlines.
• Maintains case files and attorney calendars; tracks civil cases and applicable deadlines.
• Serves as a liaison between the office and other City departments, the court system, hearing bodies, and the public.
• Performs the reception function for the City Attorney’s Office including both telephone and counter inquiries; independently answers routine inquiries and refers other inquiries to appropriate staff.
• Prepares, sorts, distributes, and collects incoming/outgoing mail.
• Maintains adequate office supplies for purchasing, distributing, and keeping records of use to facilitate budget preparation in this category; reviews and processes payments for recurring bills such as Westlaw or contract attorneys.
• Coordinates messenger service of documents.
• Performs notary services for the City and its departments.
• Performs miscellaneous duties such as preparing purchase requisitions for supervisor’s approval and preparing preliminary City Attorney budget document during biennial budget review.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards

This position requires an Associate degree in Paralegal Studies or related field plus three (3) years of law office experience as a legal secretary or paralegal, or any combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed above.

• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must possess or obtain notary public certification.
• Must maintain a level of mental and physical fitness required to perform the essential functions of this classification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet strict deadline requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and positively, both verbally and in writing, with staff and the general public.
• Ability to exercise high degree of discretion when dealing with privileged information.
• Advanced typing skills and advanced proficiency including word processing software.
• Working knowledge of court system function and operations, and legal terminology.
• Must apply a high degree of detailed orientation when reviewing legal documents for accuracy, tracking civil cases and their respective deadlines, and coordinating attorneys’ calendars.

Supplemental Requirements

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to meet the following physical requirements: must regularly talk, hear/listen, see/observe, sit, stand, and walk; must regularly demonstrate fine motor skills; must occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force.

WORK SCHEDULE

The initial work schedule for this classification will be full-time, Monday through Friday. Early mornings, evenings, and weekend work may be occasionally required. Overtime may be occasionally required. This classification is non-exempt under the FLSA.

The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time City of Kennewick Non-Contract employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through City Council or administrative action or changes mandated by state and federal law.

Paid Holidays
12 per year (9 scheduled; 3 “floating”)
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and three floating holidays selected by the employee. An employee will accrue one of the three floating holidays on each of the following days: February 1, February 12, and August 31. An employee will only accrue a floating holiday on these days if actually employed.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
The purpose of PTO is to compensate employees for absences due to injury, illness, vacation and personal business. In addition, the program is designed to provide employees with personal flexibility regarding the use of leave hours. PTO hours accrue based upon the actual number of regular hours worked.

Accrual per Month:
0-5yrs 6-9yrs 10-14yrs 15-19yrs 20-24yrs 25-29yrs 30+yrs
12 hours 15 hours 17 hours 19 hours 21 hours 23 hours 25 hours

Retirement Plan
All City employees are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. City employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 09/01/2024. ( www.drs.wa.gov )

PERS Employee Contribution Rate Employer Contribution Rate
Plan II 6.36% 9.11%
Plan III Employee Choice (see booklet) 9.11%

Deferred Comp
The City contributes an equivalent of 5% of your regular monthly salary to Mission Square Retirement (previously ICMA) deferred compensation program. No employee match required, but employees may contribute towards plan if desired. ( www.icmarc.org )

Medical, Dental& Vision Insurance
The City currently pays the entire dental and vision insurance premiums for the employee and dependents.Employee current premium share is $190.00 per month for medical insurance to cover themselves and dependents.

Life Insurance
1.5 x annual salary (not to exceed $250K) provided by the City of Kennewick. Employee may purchase Voluntary Term Life Insurance for employee, spouse and/or dependents through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Long Term Disability
The City pays the entire long-term disability premium for employees through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Wellness Program
The Wellness Program has been established to encourage employee health and fitness, both at work and at home. A City Wellness Committee promotes and provides opportunities for healthy lifestyles. Employee fitness center is open to all employees and their spouses.

Employee Assistance
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse and family counseling.

Other Benefits Offered

• Flexible Spending Plan (Pre-Tax Deduction for Medical/Dental and Day Care)
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Bereavement Leave
• Overtime
• Direct Deposit (paydays are 5th and 20th of the month)

Closing Date/Time: 1/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Kennewick

• (509) 585-4240

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