Job Abstract
- POSITION INFORMATION
This examination will remain open until the needs of LACERA are met and may close without prior notice.
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: Open Competitive Opportunity
Examination Information: Examination Number: 9-0441-I, Job Bulletin Number: 24-26
COMPENSATION: $6,790.09 - $8,905.55 Monthly
The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) administers and manages the more than $75 billion retirement fund for the County of Los Angeles. We provide retirement, disability, and death benefits to eligible County Employees and their Beneficiaries, and collect, deposit, invest, and manage retirement funds collected from the County, Outside Districts, and County Employees. LACERA is one of the largest county retirement associations in the United States with over 190,000 Members. Our Membership is comprised of individuals from a diverse range of careers, age groups, and ethnicity - all contributing to the greater welfare of Los Angeles County.
LACERA is located in Gateway Plaza at 300 North Lake Avenue in the beautiful City of Pasadena. The building is easily accessible from the Foothill Freeway (210) and the Metro Lake Station. We offer convenient free parking for staff members in our secure structure adjacent to the building in addition to a robust rideshare program providing commuting alternatives such as ride-matching, vanpool, carpool, parking services and more. Prioritizing health, well-being, and sustainability, Gateway Plaza is a Class “A” office building, LEED Gold Certified and EPA Energy Star Certified. With a Walkability Score of 91, LACERA staff members are able to easily enjoy the approximately 150 shops, food, and dining options that make up the popular South Lake Avenue District.
Our Members dedicate their careers contributing to the welfare of Los Angeles County. For their service, the County contributes to their promised benefits, and LACERA is dedicated to serving them in return throughout their career and their life afterwards. If you are interested in being part of this rewarding team, LACERA invites you to apply!
Benefits include a cafeteria benefit plan (14.5%-17% of monthly salary), annual leave, defined benefit retirement plan, Savings Plan (401k), and Deferred Compensation Plan (457) (both with employer matching up to 4%), 13 paid holidays per year, a hybrid work schedule, and a ride share program.
LACERA Mission: To produce, protect, and provide the promised benefits to our members.
LACERA Vision: Empowering our members to enjoy a healthy and secure retirement.
LACERA Values: Accountability, Collaboration, Inclusivity, Innovation, Integrity, Transparency
Our Core Values serve as our cultural guide and foundation in meeting our mission. As a member-focused government agency, we abide by our core values to ensure the public's trust, operate efficiently and cost effectively, and provide our members their promised benefits.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The positions are located in the Legal Office of the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA). The role of the Legal Office is to provide timely and effective legal representation to LACERA in benefits, litigation, applications for disability retirement pensions and survivors' allowances, employment matters, investments and commercial transactions, governance, ethics, and compliance, and general office support and administrative responsibilities.
The Legal Division is comprised of a Chief Counsel, Senior Staff Counsels, Staff Counsels, Legal Analysts, and Legal Secretaries. Legal staff work in one of four sections: Litigation and Employment, Investments and Commercial Transactions, Benefits, and Disability.
Vacancy Information: The current vacancies are located in the Legal Division. The resulting eligible register can be used to fill both current and future vacancies throughout the organization.
Work Schedule: This full-time position is required to work a 5/40 schedule (e.g. an eight (8) hour day, Monday through Friday). LACERA offers a hybrid work environment, and this position may be eligible to telework up to three (3) days per week depending on the needs of the Legal Division and LACERA.- EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
To view the complete job description for this classification, please click Senior Legal Secretary.
- REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible and complex legal secretary experience at the level of Legal Secretary, LACERA.
-OR-
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible and complex legal secretary experience working in a law office or law department.
KEYBOARDING SKILL: 40 net words per minute**
LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS II – Light: Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit, and some bending, stooping or squatting. Considerable walking may be involved- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor Degree*.
- Demonstrated two (2) years or more of legal secretarial experience working with attorneys who handle matters related to County Employees Retirement Law (CERL).
- Demonstrated experience formatting, proofreading legal documents, correspondences, and presentation materials.
- Demonstrated experience scheduling and organizing staff meetings, notifies participants, obtains agenda information, takes and maintains record of minutes.
- Familiar with budget operations, expense approval and reporting, and invoice payment.
- Demonstrated experience filing legal documents in court utilizing Green Filing and Tru Filing.
- Demonstrated experience redacting documents for production.
- Demonstrated experience in law office administration, such as purchasing offices supplies, tracking state bar compliance and payment of bar dues and membership in other attorney organizations, and keeping track of legal educational opportunities.
Knowledge of: Basic medical terminology, correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation, telephone, vocabulary and proofreading rules; filing and record keeping systems and techniques; interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy; modern office methods, procedures, equipment and business letter writing; principles and applications of the Microsoft Office Applications including Word, Excel, Lexis, and Claims Vision.
Ability to: Maintain a high level of care and thoroughness in handling the details of a task; check and compare information for completeness and accuracy; gather, verify, sort, and organize data and information; interpret, apply, and explain policies, procedures, rules and regulations related to an assigned work unit; understand and follow oral and written directions; meet schedules and time lines; establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationship with others; work independently with little direction; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally in writing; operate a personal computer utilizing Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, Adobe, and Internet Explorer to create and produce reports and letters.
EXAMINATION CONTENT: This selection process will consist of:
Part I: A qualifying evaluation of application information and the desirable qualifications.
Only the highest qualified applicants as determined under Part I, will be invited to continue in the selection process under Part II.
Part II: An Appraisal (Oral) Interview weighted 100%.The appraisal (oral) interview will assess the applicant's knowledge, experience, and general ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Those candidates which are determined eligible for hire under the Los Angeles County's Civil Services Rules may be invited to the selection process which may be comprised of a selection interview to determine the candidate's fit for the position and/or job-related assessments.
APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON THE WEIGHTED PORTIONS OF THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE REGISTER.IMPORTANT TYPING TEST INFORMATION**
A qualifying performance typing test of 40 net words per minute will be required of candidates who have not held a typing position at LACERA and/ or in the service of the County of Los Angeles. Only those candidates who pass the typing test will be eligible to continue in the selection process.The following candidates are NOT required to take the County typing test:
- Those candidates who currently hold or have held a typing position that requires 40 words per minute in the service of LACERA and the County of Los Angeles.
OR- Those candidates who have taken and passed a LACERA and/or Los Angeles County typing performance test of 40 works per minute administered by a County Department. Passing scores on record with the Department of Human Resources will be transferred automatically. Applicants who have met the typing requirement in another department must attach a copy of their typing certificate to their application at the time of filing or email to humanresources@lacera.com within fifteen (15) calendar days from the last day of fling.
All notifications including invitation letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add snorton@lacera.com and info@governmentjobs.com to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail. Test scores/results cannot be given over the telephone.
DO NOT select "Off" under Email Preferences within your profile or click "Unsubscribe" on our notices if you would like LACERA to notify you regarding your application status, test schedules, and other important information pertaining to your candidacy for this position.
LACERA will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.
Those candidates which are determined eligible for hire under the Los Angeles County's Civil Services Rules may be invited to the selection process which may be comprised of a selection interview and/or job related assessments.
ELIGIBLE INFORMATION
The names of candidates receiving a passing grade will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of promulgation.
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
Application must be submitted online. Applicants can check the status of their applications at any time by logging into their account on www.governmentjobs.com.
The acceptance of an employment application depends upon whether or not an applicant has provided adequate information that clearly demonstrates meeting the Selection Requirements for the position as stated above. Please complete the application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and completely. Information provided in the supplemental questionnaire must be reflected in the application to be considered.
Failure to provide complete information on the employment application and on the supplemental questionnaire will impact the assessment of an applicant's qualifications and acceptance in the selection process.
EDUCATION: In order to receive credit for any college course work, or college degree, such as an Associate, Bachelor, Master, Doctorate degree, or for completion of a certificate program, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official and/or unofficial transcripts, or an official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization or official certificate(s) at the time of filing or within five (5) business days from application submission date.
Accreditation Information: Accredited institutions are those listed in publications of regional, national or international accrediting agencies. Publications such as American Universities and Colleges and International Handbook of Universities are acceptable references. Also acceptable, if appropriate, are degrees that have been evaluated and deemed to be equivalent to degrees from United States accredited institutions by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).
Applications submitted without the complete work history and the supplemental questions completed in their entirety will be rejected as incomplete. "See application" or "See resume" or copy and paste of work experience is not sufficient or qualifying responses.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application or supplemental questionnaire.
In the space provided for education, include the names and addresses of schools attended, and number of credits, degree, and/or certificate(s) earned.
In order to receive credit for any college course work, or college degree, such as an Associate, Bachelor, Master, or J.D. or other Doctorate degree, or for completion of a certificate program, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official and/or unofficial transcripts, or an official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization or official certificate(s) at the time of filing or within ten (10) business days from application submission date.
Applicants must provide the appropriate attachments during application submission, email the documentation to humanresources@lacera.com within ten (10) business days of filing. Please include the examination title and number on the documentation.
Failure to provide the appropriate documentation may result in your application being rejected as incomplete and will be removed from consideration.
Your employment history should be listed in order beginning with the most recent.
For each job held, provide the name and address of your employer, your job titles, beginning and ending dates, description of work performed, and reason for leaving.
If you have worked in more than one position for one employer, list each job title and/or area of assignment separately on the application to demonstrate your experience in various assignments/occupational areas.
Part-time experience will be evaluated on the basis of its fractional equivalent of a 40-hour workweek.
All required experience must be paid.
This position may require working evenings, weekends, and holidays.
TO APPLY ONLINE GO TO: www.lacera.com and click on the Careers link.
Faxed, emailed, or hardcopy (paper) applications will not be accepted.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
Candidate(s) who complete examination process with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority. Upon an offer of employment, a comprehensive background investigation will be conducted, which includes verification of experience, and/or education, credit history, and fingerprinting through the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please note that ALL information included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION or RESCISSION OF APPOINTMENT.
Utilizing VERBIAGE from the Classification Specification, Minimum Requirements, and/or Desirable Qualifications serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an INCOMPLETE APPLICATION and you may be DISQUALIFIED. Applications may be rejected at any stage of the examination process.
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)
LACERA recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. LACERA is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)
LACERA is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. LACERA will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.
Requests for accommodation: humanresources@lacera.com
Teletype Telephone: (800) 899-4099
Department Contact Name: Sharon Norton
Department Contact Telephone: (626) 553 -7030
Department Email: humanresources@lacera.com
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
Your Responsibilities:
1. Completing Your Application:
a. Before submission of the application, it is your responsibility to ensure that all information provided is correct and complete on the application. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.
b. List each payroll title separately for each job. Do not group your experience. Specify the beginning and ending dates for each job. If you are a Los Angeles County employee and have held multiple positions, do NOT list all of your time with the County under your present payroll title.
c. Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
d. To receive credit, include required documents (e.g., copy of your diploma, transcript, certificate, or license) as directed on the job posting. International degrees in a foreign language must be translated to English and evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. Refer to the job posting for specific deadlines for supporting documentation.
2. Requirements on Job Posting:
a. Your application will only be accepted if it clearly shows you meet the requirements. The information you give will determine your eligibility and is subject to verification at any time.
b. You must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment unless other age limits are stated on the job posting. The Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967, as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age for any individual age 40 or older.
c. Experience is evaluated on the basis of a verifiable 40- hour week, unless specified otherwise. Prorated part-time experience may be acceptable.
3. Application Deadline: All job applications must be completed and submitted before the closing time on the last day of the filing period as indicated on the job posting unless other instructions are provided. Job postings with an open continuous filing period are subject to closure without prior notice. It is to your advantage to file your application early and not wait until the last allowable date and time as you will not be able to apply once the filing period has closed.
4. Change of Name or Address: To change personal information such as your name or address, log into your profile on www.governmentjobs.com and make the necessary change. This can be done at any time.
5. Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Policy:
a. It is the policy of the County of Los Angeles to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. b. If you are an individual requesting reasonable accommodation(s) in the examination process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. The provision of accommodation(s) may be subject to verification, consistent with state and federal law. All accommodation-related information will remain confidential.
Disclaimer: The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) is not responsible or in any way liable for any computer hardware or software malfunction that may affect the employment application or the application selection process.
You assume all responsibility and risk for the use of this system and the Internet generally. This system and the information provided on it are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. No advice or information given by LACERA or its respective staff members shall modify the foregoing or create any warranty.
LACERA expressly disclaims any warranty that the information on this system or on the Internet generally will be uninterruptible or error free or that any information, software or other material accessible from the system is free of viruses or other harmful components. You shall have no recourse against the LACERA as the system provider for any alleged or actual infringement of any proprietary rights a user may have in anything posted or retrieved on our system.
LACERA shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of or in any way connected with the use of this system or with the delay or inability to use it (or any linked sites), or for any information obtained through this system, or otherwise arising out of the use of this system, the Internet generally or on any other basis.
NOTE: Your application is submitted using Secure Encryption to ensure the privacy of all information you transmit over the Internet.
By accepting the Use Disclaimer set forth herein, you agree to all of the above terms and further agree to use this Online Job Employment Application System only for the submission of bona fide employment applications to the County of Los Angeles. Any other use of this Online Job Employment Application System, including without limitation any copying, downloading, translating, decompiling, or reverse engineering of the system, data, or related software, shall be a violation of the Use Disclaimer.
Test Preparation: Study Guides and other resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. An interactive system for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/. Additional resources may be listed on the job posting.
Veteran’s Credit: In all open competitive examinations, a veteran’s credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examinations will be added to the final passing grade of an honorably discharged veteran who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under any of the following conditions: During a declared war; -or- During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; -or- For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; -or- During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990 through January 2, 1992; -or- For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010 the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; -or- In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal or expeditionary medal has been authorized and awarded. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti qualifies for credit.
A campaign medal holder or Gulf War veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980 (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty.
This also applies to the spouse of such person who, while engaged in such service was wounded, disabled or crippled and thereby permanently prevented from engaging in any remunerative occupation, and also to the widow or widower of any such person who died or was killed while in such service. A DD214, Certificate of Discharge or Separation from Active Duty, or other official documents issued by the branch of service are required as verification of eligibility for Veterans preference. Applicants must submit the documentation for each open competitive exam to qualify for veteran’s credit. More information available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide-for-hr-professionals/
Accreditation Information: Accredited institutions are those listed in the publications of regional, national or international accrediting agencies that are accepted by the Department of Human Resources. Publications such as American Universities and Colleges and International Handbook of Universities are acceptable references. Also acceptable, if appropriate, are degrees that have been evaluated and deemed to be equivalent to degrees from United States accredited institutions by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).
Background Check: LACERA is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. LACERA will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.
Benefit Information: Depending on the position, the successful candidate will enroll in a contributory defined benefit pension plan if the candidate is a “new member” of the County’s defined benefit plan (LACERA) on or after January 1, 2013 (first employed by the County on or after December 1, 2012) – unless she or he established reciprocity with another public retirement system in which she or he was a member before January 1, 2013. It should be noted that County employees do not pay into Social Security but do pay the Medical Hospital Insurance Tax portion of Social Security at a rate of 1.45%. The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) has reciprocal agreements with several public retirement systems in California.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: All positions are open to qualified men and women. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons with disabilities who believe they need reasonable accommodation, or help in order to apply for a position, may contact the ADA/Personnel Services for Disabled Persons Coordinator. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. The County will attempt to meet reasonable accommodation requests whenever possible.
Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the County of Los Angeles to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. All positions are open to qualified men and women pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. The County will comply with all of its obligations under State and Federal laws regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to applicants.
Los Angeles County Child Support Compliance Program: In an effort to improve compliance with court ordered child, family and spousal support obligations, certain employment and identification information (i.e., name, address, Social Security number and date of hire) is regularly reported to the State Directory of New Hires which may assist in locating persons who owe these obligations. Family Code Section 17512 permits under certain circumstances for additional employment and identifying information to be requested. Applicants will not be disqualified from employment based on this information.
Social Security Act of 2004: Section 419 (c) of Public Law 108-203, the Social Security Protection Act of 2004, requires State and local government employers to disclose the effect of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset Provision to employees hired on or after January 1, 2005, in jobs not covered by Social Security. The County of Los Angeles does not participate in the Social Security System. All newly hired County of Los Angeles employees must sign a statement (Form SSA-1945) prior to the start of employment indicating that they are aware of a possible reduction in their future Social Security benefit entitlement. For more information on Social Security and about each provision, you may visit the website www.socialsecurity.gov, or call toll free 1-800-772- 1213. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the TTY number 1-800-325-0778 or contact a local Social Security office.
Employment Eligibility Information: Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States. Immigration law provides that all persons hired after November 6, 1986, are required to present original documents to the County, within three (3) business days of hiring, which show satisfactory proof of 1) identity and 2) U.S. employment eligibility.
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 commencing with Section 12900 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) the Regulations of the Fair Employment and Housing Commission (California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Division 4, Sections 7285.0 through 8504) and other applicable laws prohibit employment discrimination based on an applicant's protected characteristics, including race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, childbirth, and other characteristics.
COVID-19 VACCINATION: Some County workforce members may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Successful candidates for those positions/classifications may be required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or request an exemption for qualifying medical or religious reasons during the onboarding process. Candidates should not present proof of vaccination until instructed to do so by the hiring department.
Updated June 2024