What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Assistant position at State of Kansas - Dept for Children and Families?
Job Posting closes: Open until filled
Required documents (as listed in Qualifications and Required Documents sections) must be uploaded by close date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Agency Information
Kansas Department for Children and Families | www.dcf.ks.gov
Legal
Northwest/Southwest Regions / Negotiable between the Northwest/Southwest Regions
About the Position
Veterans' Preference Eligible: yes
Compensation: $ 38,355.20/ annually. Salary may be dependent upon the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
- Health Insurance including medical, dental, vision (plus optional partner/dependent coverage at reduced cost)
- Creation of and contribution to your personal KPERS defined Retirement benefit
- 9-10 paid, annual holidays
- 12 paid, annual vacation days
- 12 paid, annual sick days
- 1 paid Discretionary Day
- Your personal life insurance policy equal to 150% of your starting salary
- This benefits package represents additional annual compensation.
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families is hiring innovators and leaders. If you believe people have the capacity to progress, succeed, grow, and do well in life, you can discover your purpose here! Find more than just a job with DCF. You can be part of the growth and opportunity for our team to help serve the individuals and families in your community. Thrive With Us and find your career and purpose!
Reviews material requested by other attorneys which has been ordered by the Court or Administrative Law Judge to be produced to ensure that confidential information as defined by HIPPA, state law, agency confidentiality rules, attorney client privilege and other applicable privileges is removed or redacted. Brings questionable material to the attorney and assists with appropriate follow up action.
View the full position description:
Minimum Qualifications: *If a driver’s license is required, a copy must be sent to your recruiter following the interview.* Six months experience as a legal assistant, paralegal or legal secretary. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience in responsible administrative assistance position, preferably legal in nature, and the ability to make independent decisions and resolve problems and concerns without supervision. Effective communication and computer experience are essential. Experience with agency databases.
Notary Public
Knowledge of legal terminology
Knowledge of legal concepts and practices
Knowledge of legal research techniques and practices
Knowledge of court filing system
Ability to follow written and oral instructions
Ability to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public
Ability to understand the legal code of ethics
Ability to review facts, evidence and precedents and arrive at well-reasoned conclusions
Ability to review investigative reports and apply prescribed laws and regulations
Ability to edit and correct pleadings and correspondence without prompts from attorneys
Security Clearance: A background check (KBI - criminal background, welfare fraud, driver's license and Child/Adult Abuse and Neglect Central Registry) is required for all positions with the Department for Children and Families (DCF) as a condition of employment, which may include fingerprinting and FBI check. Security clearance must be obtained prior to employment with DCF. Must maintain security clearance throughout employment.
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.
If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199.
Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions
Recruiter Contact Information
First Sign in or register as a New User.
Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"
- State of Kansas online application
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Legible copy of valid driver’s license (if driver’s license is required)
-
Transcripts** (if educational requirements are listed for this position)
**If degree is a requirement listed, transcript must show proof of graduation or degree obtained.
- DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
- Required documents must be uploaded by close date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”.
Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference
PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785) 296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:
ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612
Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.
E-Verify: DCF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Full Position Description:
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The person in this position has access to protected health information (PHI) under the provisions of the Heath Information Portability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) Privacy Rule. PHI must be treated in accordance with the provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Regulation including the requirements for safeguarding, releasing and recording the release of such information. The person will receive training in the provision of the HIPAA Privacy Regulations as they relate to the duties of this position and has signed a confidentiality agreement.
In addition to the tasks listed below, the incumbent is expected to communicate the Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles of the agency to peers, clients and the public; identify personal strengths and developmental needs to increase job performance and long-term career growth. Continually analyze work processes, seek new approaches and make recommendations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. Works in a harmonious and cooperative fashion with other staff to provide efficient and effective customer service. Uses free time as available to assist other staff in the completion of work assignments. Contributes to a positive work environment through a positive, helpful, courteous demeanor towards staff, clients, and the general public. Adheres to appropriate standards of conduct regarding the use of leave and reports to work on time.
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PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL
Reviews material requested by other attorneys which has been ordered by the Court or Administrative Law Judge to be produced to ensure that confidential information as defined by HIPPA, state law, agency confidentiality rules, attorney client privilege and other applicable privileges is removed or redacted. Brings questionable material to the attorney and assists with appropriate follow up action.
Ensures that information obtained by the legal division is provided to other agency staff and outside partners on a “need to know” basis in accordance with state law.
ORGANIZATION AND USE OF INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT /LITIGATION SUPPORT
Attorney and employee share an electronic shared drive where all legal files are maintained. Employee must maintain and organize shared drive for easy access and quick retrieval of file. Employee will also maintain TEAMs legal page and ongoing tracking for the West Legal Team on that location.
Develops and maintains a system to ensure timely response to administrative appeal requests. Emails all acknowledgments and orders to appropriate agency staff. When Legal is involved with an appeal, the employee emails all documents that have been uploaded to the Office of Administrative Hearings e-file system to appropriate agency staff and attorney. Employee works with the attorney to prepare for administrative hearings, including preparing documents to be sent to the hearing officer, the appellant, the appellant’s attorney, witnesses and agency staff as well as developing and maintaining a calendaring system to ensure strict compliance with timelines. Electronically e-files all documents to the Office of Administrative Hearings that legal is assisting with. Maintains that all pleadings are electronically saved on the Legal shared drive for quick reference and easy retrieval.
Set up and maintain legal case files for cases, ensure case files are accurate and up to date, track closed files for destruction according to established schedules.
Reviews all requests from Adult Protective Services staff for guardian and conservator appointments to ensure all information is contained in the file. Determines and initiates legal documents and ensures that cases are in proper form and legal documents are sufficient before sending the electronic file to the attorney for their review. Electronically e-files all appropriate court documents in the appropriate District Court. Schedules court dates for all guardianship/conservatorship cases. Maintain and organizes the electronic case file on the legal shared drive.
Maintain and track completion of records request throughout both the NW and SW region that are handled by legal staff to ensure timely completion. This may involve review of documentation to ensure the necessary redactions are done and that documents are destroyed after the necessary use.
COMMUNICATION AND RESEARCH
Receives and processes case referrals from social workers, special investigators, other DCF staff and staff attorneys.
Competently and professionally communicates with agency and court personnel. Maintains a positive attitude and seeks to obtain information to resolve problems and disputes.
Maintains calendaring system for all cases. Assures that all hearings and deadlines are on attorney calendars for all cases; guardianship and conservatorship, administrative, state appeals committee, district court and appellate courts. Also, assures that alerts regarding deadlines are on the individual attorney computer calendars.
Alerts attorney to changes in documents. Promptly and professionally brings changes in document formatting and other changes to the attention of the attorney.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Provides direct administrative support to the attorney by answering the main legal phone and either relaying the call to the attorney or promptly taking a message and relaying the message to the attorney. Prepares and submits necessary travel and expense forms for attorneys as they may be needed. Will work with the appropriate staff in the agency to ensure these are completed timely and correctly per policy.
Prepares legal documents for attorneys ensuring that all documents are in the proper format. Prepares routine documents for attorney review. Prepares initial drafts of prehearings, fraud, administrative, guardianship and conservatorship pleadings for attorney edits and completion.
Authorization for the employee to sign documents for the attorney may occur in certain limited circumstances. Secures supplies and information for the attorneys as requested and needed.
Files documents in person and/or electronically in the counties assigned to the attorneys. Also, files electronically in administrative hearings and appellate cases.
This position works with a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is reviewed by reporting to
Salary : $38,355