LEGAL ASSISTANT (Code 02275)
In New Jersey, Legal Assistant is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying turns on 1 year of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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Legal Assistant is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction, prepares courses of legal action, conducts legal research and investigations, and acts as a legal advisor; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Acts as a legal advisor.
- Prepares courses of legal action.
- Conducts legal research and investigations.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in preparing cases for trial, in trying cases before a court or administrative body, in rendering legal advice and/or service, in preparing various legal documents or formal legal opinions, or in conducting legal research.
License
Admission to practice as an Attorney-at-Law in the State of New Jersey.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of pertinent laws after a period of training.
- Knowledge of research sources, techniques, and methods, and their effective utilization in realistic research studies.
- Ability to conduct legal research and investigation.
- Ability to work harmoniously and maintain liaison with officials and others.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.