This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies for those County departments that have this position, which are the District Attorney, Probation, Public Defender and Sheriff’s offices. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies within these departments, please submit an online application for consideration.

Two current vacancies are with the Public Defender’s Office, located in Visalia and Porterville.

Act as secretary to a Legal County department head or assistant department head; prepare comparative workload reports for budgets, annual reports and documentation; type letters, memos, minutes of meetings, reports and statistics from shorthand, longhand, dictaphone, tape recorder and over the telephone; compile and/or collect data for reports to State and Federal agencies; read and understand correspondence, rules, regulations, manuals, grant stipulations, bids and contracts; prepare charts, graphs and diagrams; develop, establish and maintain various filing systems; prepare and process a wide variety on criminal and civil documents; may operate office automation and related equipment; perform supportive office functions such as maintaining inventory of supplies, arranging equipment repairs, screening and distributing mail to appropriate people; organize and prepare various annual reports for State and Federal agencies; interpret and answer questions regarding the County Ordinance Code, rules, regulations and policies; maintain financial records such as collecting fees, maintaining petty cash, posting, depositing, purchases and other department expenditures; make reservations, schedule and confirm appointments and answer questions over the telephone, in person or through correspondence. Level II: Act as confidential secretary to a County legal department head or assistant department head; refer incoming mail to department head and staff members; organize correspondence for reply in order of priority; prepare correspondence and agenda items, independently or with brief instructions, requiring judgment in the selection of data or interpretation of laws, rules, or policies; edit drafts for composition and grammatical structure; schedule appointments, arrange conferences and meetings, make reservations, plan dates, clear conflicts, and prepare agendas; screen office and telephone calls, refer to appropriate staff members or give out information on departmental programs and policies as needed; maintain administrative files, including management confidential information; attend meetings as a representative of clerical/office management; plan, assign and supervise the work of clerical employees; assist in the selection of staff; train employees in procedures and techniques; complete performance evaluation reports and take or recommend appropriate actions; supervise, organize, direct and participate in the operation of office information and computer equipment, including formatting and production of documents; prepare personnel data forms, status changes and related matters; study filing systems and clerical procedures, recommend methods for improvements; order and maintain departmental supplies; prepare clerical procedural manuals and accounting reports; assist in preparation of the annual departmental budget and monitor account expenditures; communicate with staff members, and relay messages to and from superior.

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade

Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible clerical and secretarial experience involving frequent contact with the public.

Knowledge of: General office practices and procedures to train and evaluate staff in filing and proper format for correspondence and documents; counseling, training, and employee appraisal techniques; correct English usage, spelling, and punctuation; function and procedures of a modern office environment; principles and practices of supervision; math sufficient to assist with department budget preparations.

Skill/Ability to: Write clearly, using correct grammar and punctuation, and proofread; give verbal and written instructions in a clear, concise manner; follow verbal and written instructions; use patience, tact and courtesy to establish rapport with co-workers, other County employees and the public in person and by telephone; copy information from a written source accurately and legibly; work independently, make decisions and establish priorities; collect and organize information and write reports; assign and coordinate clerical work within the department; accurately code, post, check or verify detailed information and data; read, understand and apply technical/legal information and materials; type accurately from clear copy at a speed of 50 words per minute; supervise and train clerical staff.

DESIREABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Previous experience in legal defense; bilingual desirable, but not required; initiative to problem solve; case management skills.

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

Bargaining Unit 21

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 48 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.
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Group Term Life Insurance: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Long Term Disability Insurance: A Long Term Disability plan is provided. This provides financial protection for you by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled.

Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/index.cfm/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.