Staff Attorney

Company: Kings County Superior Court
Location: Hanford
Posted on: September 4, 2020

Job Description:

Job Announcement
STAFF ATTORNEY I/II
Staff Attorney I $80,000 - $95,000 D.O.Q.
Staff Attorney II $90,000 - $105,000 D.O.Q.

JOB OPPORTUNITY
The Court is seeking to fill one Staff Attorney I/II position. The level of classification upon hire is within the discretion of the Court based on the candidate's qualifications.

ABOUT THE POSITION:
Under direction, this professional level position performs a wide range of complex legal research and analysis duties in assistance to judicial officers hearing all case types. This professional level position may also be asked to perform research and drafting duties in assistance to the administration of the court.
The Court provides a Telecommuting Program as an alternative work schedule option. The purpose of this program is to attract and retain qualified Staff Attorneys. This is only feasible for those positions or tasks that are amenable to being performed away from the Courthouse. Eligible Staff Attorneys must complete a period of one-year with a satisfactory performance rating. Telecommuter schedules and agreements will be periodically reviewed for efficiency. Participation in the program will be allowed only when it is consistent with the business needs of the Court.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Staff Attorney I is the entry level of the Staff Attorney classification series, reporting to the Staff Attorney II. The Staff Attorney I is distinguished from the Staff Attorney II in that the latter performs the more difficult and complex legal duties and/or may serve as a lead worker, mentoring and coordinating the duties of attorneys and other legal staff. Staff Attorney I and Staff Attorney II are established as Exempt positions.

EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL
The Staff Attorney I and Staff Attorney II classifications are established as "At-Will" positions and, as such, the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Judicial Officers. The Court Executive Officer has the right to terminate the employment of any incumbent in the position of Staff Attorney I or Staff Attorney II at any time, with or without advance notice and with or without cause.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Examples of duties performed by the Staff Attorney I include, but are not limited to, the following:
Researches, analyzes and formulates recommended policies, procedures and forms related to specified Court proceedings and recurring issues at the request of Judges, Judicial Committees and Court Administration; reviews and summarizes evidence, procedural history and legal contentions in matters on Civil, Criminal and Presiding Judge's law and motion calendars, appellate calendar and mandate calendar in civil and criminal trial and post-trial motions, in coordinated proceedings, in juvenile court and family law proceedings, in habeas corpus petitions and in time credits and sentencing matters; reviews and summarizes evidence, procedural history and legal contentions in matters on decedent estate, trust, conservatorship, guardianship, Lanterman Petris and Short (LPS) proceedings and other protected proceedings; researches legal authorities, including statutory and
case law of California, other states, federal and foreign jurisdictions, treaties, and other international laws and legislative history using traditional and computerized legal research methods; confers with court investigators in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings when necessary; attends court hearings upon request of assigned judicial officer, prepares summary for each calendared matter identifying and analyzing factual and legal issues, and recommending disposition; prepares memorandum for each matter, summarizing background, identifying and analyzing factual and legal issues and recommending disposition; orally briefs judges on research and analysis pertaining to matters in Superior Court cases; responds to Judges' queries on procedural and substantive issues during trials and pre-trial hearings, including in limine motions, evidentiary objections, jury instructions, status of case authorities cited by counsel and points of substantive law; and, communicates orally and in writing with attorneys, other agencies, unrepresented parties and inmates regarding matters pending before the Court; drafts rulings in Superior Court cases, including minute orders, formal orders, tentative decisions, statements of decision and judgments. (Essential duties may vary from position to position within classifications. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the Court to be appropriate under applicable law. This position may be assigned any other duties as determined and assigned by the Court Executive Officer or his designee).
In addition, both the Staff Attorney I and Staff Attorney II positions will be expected to participate in the court's temporary judge program. The conditions for appointment are set forth in Rule 2.812(b) of the California Rules of Court, and the education and training requirements are found in Rule 2.812(c).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Graduation from an accredited School of Law.
Experience: Active, valid membership in the California State Bar. Applicants for the Staff Attorney I position must have at least two (2) years experience in public law, civil and criminal legal practice, including performing legal research and developing legal opinions. Applicants for the Staff Attorney II position must have at least three (3) years of similar experience.
Knowledge of: Legal principles, practices, methods and materials of legal research and analysis; Government Code and other California statutes related to Superior Court processes and Rules of Court; principles of civil, criminal, constitutional and administrative law and their application; legal terms, procedures, forms and documents used in court cases.
Ability to: Use traditional and computerized legal research methods (Lexis Advance); research, analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to specific legal problems; analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents; research legal issues and present clear and logical arguments and statements of fact and law; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work; communicate effectively orally and in writing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess a valid California Class 'C" driver's license. Ability to qualify for a security clearance through fingerprinting, traffic and criminal record background investigation, random drug testing and regular TB testing. Ability to sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity; eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to twenty (20) pounds; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copier and fax machine. Travel may be required outside of Kings County for outlying court work site visits, attend meetings, conferences, and trainings.

BENEFITS:
The Court offers a benefit package to its regular full-time employees (pro-rated if not hired at the beginning of the plan year) which include 13 Court approved holidays; accrued sick/vacation (accrual based on hours worked, minimum 2 weeks/year); a Flexible Benefit Plan to purchase a variety of health insurance plans and related benefits such as Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Deferred Compensation, Administrative Leave, Medical Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Cancer Policy, and Short-term/Long-term Disability. A Retirement Plan is provided [2% at age 62] through California Public Employees Retirement System [P.E.R.S.]. A Classic P.E.R.S. Member Retirement Plan is offered [2% at age 55] only if the employee does not have a six-month break in service as a previous CalPERS member or retirement plan member that is reciprocal with P.E.R.S. An Employee Assistance Program is also provided.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested persons must apply by completing the Court's application and providing the supplemental materials required along with a current email address and phone number. Interested applicants must submit all of the following items:

• Superior Court of California, County of Kings, employment application (fully completed).
• Resume
• Statement of qualifications, limited to one (1) page, explaining only why the applicant is interested in the position and why the applicant is qualified to perform the duties described herein. This one-page statement should succinctly describe the relative education and experience that is applicable to this position.
• Provide a writing sample not to exceed twenty (20) pages. The preparation of the application, including the resume, statement of qualifications, and writing sample is very important to the selection process. It is recommended that applicants review the material in this announcement and on the application very carefully. Once the application has been submitted, it cannot be corrected, changed, or resubmitted. All applications must be submitted to the Court by the filing deadline date.
  
  SELECTION PROCESS
  Initial Screening:
  Complete application packages received by the final filing date and time will be evaluated to determine if the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. The Court will further evaluate these documents and may interview only those candidates it deems may best meet the needs of the Court. Not all applicants will receive an interview.
  Oral Interview:
  Selected candidates will be interviewed to determine their relative knowledge..... click apply for full job details

Keywords: Kings County Superior Court, Hanford , Staff Attorney, Legal , Hanford, California