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Job Description
Minimum Qualifications
Legal Secretary I:
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:- Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent and one (1) year of experience in legal environment.
Licenses and Certifications Required:- None.
Legal Secretary II:
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:- Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent and three (3) years of experience in legal administrative work.
Licenses and Certifications Required:- None.
The mission of the Law Department is to provide quality legal services to the City of Austin so that it can govern lawfully with the highest level of integrity and serve the community effectively. As the chief legal advisor for the City, the Law Department provides legal advice and representation to the Mayor, City Council, City Officers, City Manager, city departments, boards, and commissions of the City.
The City Attorneys’ Office is committed to providing excellent, timely, and cost-effective legal advice to our clients to support their efforts to serve the citizens of Austin. The Law Department is organized into seven legal practice divisions. Although the department’s attorneys are assigned to practice in a specific division, they are trained to have a general knowledge of municipal law practice because many legal issues cross practice areas. The Law Department has a diverse staff of talented professionals with the expertise to provide comprehensive legal services for the wide variety of legal issues facing our city.
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click HERE for more information.
Division Overview
The Litigation group defends the City of Austin and its employees in all civil litigation cases in both federal and state district courts and all appellate courts. The types of cases managed by the Litigation Division include civil rights, contract disputes, personal injury, employment, and land use matters. The Division also handles lawsuits filed on behalf of the City on legal areas that include Fair Housing, Code Compliance, breach of contract and financial collections. Commensurate
When completing the City of Austin employment application:- Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
- A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
- A resume is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application.
- Please do not use the phrase “see resume” or refer to other documents to complete your application.
- Do not leave the “Duties and Responsibilities” sections blank.
- These will be considered incomplete applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Please include contact information from previous employers.
If you are selected for hire:- Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate, and/or graduate degrees) is required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization or institution. You must also provide proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
- If you are in the military or are a military veteran, you will need to provide a copy of the Member 4 page of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
Commensurate
Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Monday - Friday (hours may vary based on departmental needs and may require time in the office).
Job Close Date 10/31/2024 Type of Posting External Department Law Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Clerical Location City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:- Thorough understanding of and recent experience with civil litigation processes and forms
- Knowledge of state and federal litigation deadlines
- Strong document preparation and management skills
- Proficiency in e-filing
- Superior organization and keyboarding skills
- Advanced skills in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Effective communication and teamwork abilities
- Problem-solving and discretion in handling confidential information
For the Duties, Functions and Responsibilities of this position, please click the appropriate job description below:
Legal Secretary I Job Description
Legal Secretary II Job Description
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
For the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities of this position, please click the appropriate job description below:
Legal Secretary I Job Description
Legal Secretary II Job Description
Criminal Background Investigation This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Legal Secretary I position are: High school graduate or equivalent and one (1) year of experience in legal environment. Do you meet the minimum qualifications for this position?- Yes
- No
(Open Ended Question)
* Please list the electronic filing software you have experience with (like ProDocs or Pacer)
(Open Ended Question)
* Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically with Word, Excel, and Outlook?- No experience
- Basic: create/edit simple documents, spreadsheets, & emails
- Intermediate: create/edit a variety of documents & spreadsheets; reformat document features such as color, font style and size of text, change page size/width, & filter/sort data fields
- Advanced: create/edit complex documents & spreadsheets; integrate features such as tables, charts, mathematic formulas, hyperlinks, graphics; data/mail merge, import data from one document to another
Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents Resume Cover Letter Optional Documents -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Austin
Show moreThe City of Austin
This vibrant and dynamic city tops many lists for business, entertainment, and quality of life. One of the country’s most popular, high-profile “green” and culturally rich cities, Austin was recently selected the number one Best Place to Live in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report). In 2016, Forbes named Austin the city most likely to prosper over the next decade on their America’s Cities of the Future list, and the City of Austin ranked in the top ten on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for 2017.
Austin continues to lead with its vision of being the Most Livable City in the Country, emerging as a player on the international scene with such events as SXSW, Austin City Limits, Formula 1, and being home to companies such as Apple, Samsung, Dell, and Ascension Seton Healthcare. From the home of state government and the University of Texas to the Live Music Capital of the World and its growth as a film center, Austin has gained worldwide attention as a hub for education, business, health, and sustainability.
The City offers a wide range of events, from music concerts, food festivals, and sports competitions to museum displays, exhibits, and family fun. Austin is also home to a wonderful ballet, world-class museums, one-of-a-kind shopping, and beautiful outdoor spaces. You can just as easily spend your morning paddling the lake as you can strolling through a celebrated history museum.
Located at the edge of the Texas Hill Country—rolling terrain of limestone bluffs, springs, rivers, and lakes—Austin’s temperate climate is ideal for year-round jogging, cycling, hiking on the City’s many trails, or swimming at Barton Springs or one of the area’s many other swimming holes.
There are a number of excellent golf courses in the area as well as recreational opportunities for rowing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, rock climbing, disc golf, mountain biking, fishing, and more. Austin truly has something to offer for everyone.
City Government
The City of Austin is a progressive, full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. Austin has a 10-1 council system with an at-large Mayor and Council Members that represent ten districts. The Mayor and Council Members may serve in their respective seats for four years with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The City Council appoints the City Manager who is the chief administrative and executive officer of the City. The City Manager is responsible for guiding and directing day-to-day operations, as well as providing strategic research, recommendations, and management leadership to the City Council on the city budget, programs, policies, and services. The City Manager implements the organization’s administrative responsibilities with a strong team of Assistant City Managers and department executives. Supported by a staff of more than 14,000 and a budget of $4.1 billion, the City Manager and staff deliver a broad range of services to the citizens of Austin.
The City Council and City Manager of Austin are committed to the mission of delivering the highest quality, cost-effective services. Austin is a beacon of sustainability, social equity, and economic opportunity; where diversity and creativity are celebrated; where community needs and values are recognized; where leadership comes from its community members, and where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all.
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