Legal Technician I - SR-16

Duties Summary

Performs technical legal work in support of professional staff attorneys involving matters such as assisting in legal research, independently drafting and checking documents and forms, and assisting in various other areas as assigned; and performs other related duties as required.

There are three (3) immediate vacancies with the Office of the Corporation Counsel:

• two (2) temporary full-time vacancies not-to-exceed 11/30/2028 in Hilo
• one (1) temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 12/08/2028 in Hilo

Examples of Duties

• Researches and checks cited authority and specific laws and statutes; reviews case citations; retrieves cases from the law library or via the internet.
• Selects, assembles, and compiles substantive information on statutes and specific legal subjects.
• Independently prepares numerous basic and complex legal documents and correspondence in conformance with applicable statutes, rules, minute orders, administrative orders, and court directives, drafting and finalizing these documents in proper legal form and content for final review by attorneys; finalizes and processes documents and correspondence.
• Prepares first drafts and/or outlines of briefs, legal opinions, contracts, answers, motions, complaints, conveyances, deeds, etc. for review by a deputy attorney.
• Works with departments to prepare first drafts of resolutions and ordinances for review by deputy attorney.
• Reads records on appeal and transcripts of cases scheduled for hearing.
• Prepares cases and files for presentation in court by staff attorneys ensuring that required documents are included in files and independently follows up on requests for required information by contacting witnesses, law enforcement and/or departmental personnel, litigants, other attorneys, court reporters, court staff, etc.
• Works with court personnel to schedule hearings; arranges calendars and apprises attorneys of meetings, hearings, civil proceedings, etc.
• Applies legal policies and procedures and reviews documents for compliance with applicable rules of court.
• Indexes, groups and classifies legal opinions rendered by the office; establishes, maintains, and disposes records, files, and reference materials.
• May serve as the secretary to a board and/or commission; prepares and maintains all files, records and communications for the board and/or commission; records and transcribes minutes of board and/or commission meetings; prepares, compiles, and ensures proper posting of board and/or commission meeting agendas.
• May supervise lower level clerical and/or legal clerical staff as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from high school, and
• four (4) years of progressively complex work experience in a legal or judicial environment involving the preparation and examination of legal documents for adherence to law, policies, and procedures and the rules of court, of which
• one (1) year shall have included experience involving legal research and the drafting of legal documents and forms.

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of: common legal terms and forms; basic constitutional, property, tort, family, criminal, and administrative law; the commercial code and contracts; types of court actions and various court rules and procedures; methods and techniques of legal research; sources of legal information; legal writing; and interviewing techniques.

Ability to: read, write, analyze, and apply the law; understand and explain legal procedures and processes; prepare, process, and maintain legal records, forms and documents; conduct research; compile and summarize materials; draft documents; prepare reports; give and follow oral and written instructions; keep matters confidential; operate common office equipment, including a personal computer and peripherals.

Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light

Benefits of County Employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Supplemental Information

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.

PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
Please ensure that the email address and mobile phone number you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails and text messages or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner. Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you. This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV.

Please add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you don't receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you.

You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyhawaii

E-mail: jobs@hawaiicounty.gov

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries. For more information visit https://ers.ehawaii.gov
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
  • Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)
  • Vision Plan
  • Dental Plan
  • Prescription Drug Plan

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as: Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Victims Protection Leave, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, Donor Leave, and Jury Duty.