Legislative Legal Assistant

Characteristics of Work

This is a professional position in which the incumbent provides principal legal support to the Legislative Services Office, a division of the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Incumbents perform legislative legal work, prepare documents and perform other work related assignments for legislative attorneys in accordance with legislative deadlines.

The Legislative Services Office is a deadline driven office, which includes late nights and weekend work. Primarily, the work involves contact with legislative attorneys for the purpose of creating confidential information.

Some contact with members of the Mississippi House of Representatives for the purpose of exchanging confidential and non-routine information will occur.

Other duties include composing and reviewing legislative correspondence, typing and editing legislative documents, setting up and maintaining files and records and performing other related duties.

The incumbent exercises a degree of confidentiality essential in the execution of legislative administrative duties and in the performance of clerical functions requiring a high level of proficiency.

Examples of Work

Examples of work performed in this classification include, but are not limited to, the following :

Composes correspondence and other material involving legislative procedures or policies in accordance with legislative deadlines.

Maintains legal and confidential files and dockets.

Compiles data from bills, statutes and legislative policies and procedures in accordance with legislative deadlines.

Examines files involving internal legislative matters and assists in the preparation of legislative documents in accordance with legislative deadlines.

Performs related or similar duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

These minimum qualifications have been agreed upon by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in this job class and are based upon a job analysis and the essential functions.

However, if a candidate believes he / she is qualified for the job although he / she does not have the minimum qualifications set forth below, he / she may request special consideration through substitution of related education and experience, demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Any request to substitute related education or experience for minimum qualifications must be addressed to the State Personnel Board in writing , identifying the related education and experience which demonstrates the candidate's ability to perform all essential functions of the position.

EXPERIENCE / EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS :

Education :

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.

Essential Functions

Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring agency. The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following :

1. Maintains legal and confidential files ensuring accuracy and organization.

2. Types non-technical, technical and confidential correspondence, reports, and other legal documents.

3. Compiles data from bills, statutes and legislative policies and procedures in accordance with legislative deadlines.

4. Performs routine office and receptionist duties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSThese physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as-needed basis.

Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements. These are typical requirements; however, reasonable accommodations may be possible.

Light Work : May frequently walk or stand and / or frequently exert force equivalent to lifting up to approximately 10 pounds and / or occasionally exert force equivalent to lifting up to approximately 20 pounds.

Vision : Requires the ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye.

Near Acuity : Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.

Speaking / Hearing : Possesses the ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening skills.

Motor Coordination : While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

The incumbent is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The incumbent is occasionally required to walk; stand;

climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or bend.

INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS :

Any candidate who is called to an agency for an interview must notify the interviewing agency in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

The following competencies describe the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attributes that lead to a successful employee in this position.

An applicant will be expected to exhibit these competencies or the ability to reach competency achievement within a specified time.

These competencies are linked to the essential functions of the job. Employees in this position may be evaluated on these competencies as part of the performance appraisal system.

Example behaviors are listed below each competency and are used for illustrative purposes only. Specific behaviors may be identified and included later by the hiring agency.

It is understood that some of these behaviors might not be acquired until a reasonable time after hire.

PUBLIC SECTOR COMPETENCIES :

Integrity and Honesty : Demonstrates a sense of responsibility and commitment to the public trust through statements and actions.

Models and demonstrates high standards of integrity, trust, openness, and respect for others. Demonstrates integrity by honoring commitments and promises.

Demonstrates integrity by maintaining necessary confidentiality.

Work Ethic : Is productive, diligent, conscientious, timely, and loyal.

Conscientiously abides by the rules, regulations, and procedures governing work.

Service Orientation : Demonstrates a commitment to quality public service through statements and actions.

Seeks to understand and meets and / or exceeds the needs and expectations of customers. Treats customers with respect, responding to requests in a professional manner, even in difficult circumstances.

Provides accurate and timely service. Develops positive relationships with customers.

Accountability : Accepts responsibility for actions and results.

Is productive and carries fair share of the workload. Focuses on quality and expends the necessary time and effort to achieve goals.

Demonstrates loyalty to the job and the agency and is a good steward of state assets. Steadfastly persists in overcoming obstacles and pushes self for results.

Maintains necessary attention to detail to achieve high-level performance. Deals effectively with pressure and recovers quickly from setbacks.

Takes ownership of tasks, performance standards, and mistakes. Has knowledge of how to perform one's job. Knows the organization's mission and functions and how it fits into state government.

Self Management Skills : Effectively manages emotions and impulses and maintains a positive attitude.

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works effectively and cooperatively with others to achieve goals.

Treats all people with respect, courtesy, and consideration. Communicates effectively. Remains open to new ideas and approaches.

Avoids conflicts of interest. Promotes cooperation and teamwork.

Interpersonal Skills : Shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern to develop and maintain relationships.

Demonstrates cross cultural sensitivity and understanding. Identifies and seeks to solve problems and prevent or resolve conflict situations.

Encourages others through positive reinforcement.

Communication Skills : Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages and expresses information to individuals or groups effectively.

Receives other cues such as body language in ways that are appropriate to listeners and situations. Takes into account the audience and nature of the information;

listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. May make oral presentations. Communicates ideas, suggestions, and concerns, as well as outcomes and progress throughout the process of an activity.

Provides thorough and accurate information.

Self-Development : Adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.

Seeks efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development.

Develops and enhances skills to adapt to changing organizational needs. Remains open to change and new information and ideas.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES :

Communication : Shares information in writing and verbally.

Interacts effectively, in person, by telephone and in written correspondence with lawyers and legislators. Presents oral and written information internally or externally using proper grammar, punctuation, and content.

Appropriately documents information using tools such as : letters, e-mails, reports, memoranda, etc. Communicates information in a courteous manner without invoking anger.

Is proficient in business English, spelling, and composition. Makes important telephone contacts.

Legal Support : Provides a variety of administrative and technical support for legislative legal matters.

Maintains legislative legal and confidential files and dockets ensuring accuracy and organization. Types correspondence, reports, and other legal documents.

Technical Skills : Is proficient with computers, software, and office technology applicable to position.

Define and identify basic computer hardware components. Health / Prescription Insurance Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state’s health and prescription insurance program.

Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at . Wellness Benefits Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program.

This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible. Life Insurance All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment.

The policy coverage is two times the employee’s annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at . Optional Insurances Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts.

These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.

Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued.

Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually. Military Leave In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.

Holidays Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation’s celebrations with family and friends. Retirement Programs The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit / Defined Contribution Retirement Program.

Employees become vested in the State’s retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement.

More detailed information regarding the State’s retirement program can be found at Deferred Compensation State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan.

More information can be found at . State Credit Union All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees’ Credit Union.

This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.

948.8191. Tuition Reimbursement Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement.

Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business / administrative fields. Career Development and Training The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency.

Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.

Promotional Opportunities Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment.

Minimum qualifications must be met. Career Ladders Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies.

These career ladders can increase an individual’s salary, provided funds are available within the agency. 01 What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?

• None
• GED / High School
• 1 year / 30 semester hours
• Associate's Degree / 2 years / 60 semester hours
• 3 years / 90 semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Specialist Degree
• Doctorate Degree

02 How many years of related experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of related experience.)

• None
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• 11 years of experience
• 12 years of experience
• 13 years of experience
• More than 13 years of experience

Required Question