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LEGAL SECRETARY

APPEALS COORDINATOR/ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES SUPPORT

Recruitment #19-000835-0001

Introduction

This is a Position Specific Recruitment for the Department of Human Services, St. Mary's County Department of Social Services.

This position will require travel between Charles County, Calvert County and St. Mary's County, Maryland.

GRADE

10

LOCATION OF POSITION

Department of Human Services

St. Mary's County Department of Social Services

Administrative Services

23110 Leonard Hall Drive

Leonardtown, MD 20650

Main Purpose of Job

The main function of the Legal Secretary is to prepare and track appeal notices for all Unsubstantiated and Indicated Child Protective Services Cases at the Calvert and Charles County DSS offices. The Legal Secretary works closely with the agency attorney as well as the Child Protective Services Supervisor and staff.

In St. Mary's County, the Legal Secretary provides support to Child Welfare Services to include but not limited to records management, data entry, pertinent data management and other critical support needs to staff and supervisors.

POSITION DUTIES

Administrative Support Duties

Ensure CPS (Child Protective Services) ruled out files are expunged and destroyed in accordance with state guidelines. Reviews the monthly expungement report, updates expungment spreadsheet, and locates and expunges all cases on report in accordance with COMAR rules.

Legal Assistant / Appeal Coordinator Duties

This position is responsible for the coordination of the following legal assistant and appeal coordinator duties at the local Calvert and Charles County DSS Offices:

Prepare, mail and track appeal notices including updating CHESSIE (Children's Electronic Social Services Information Exchange) regarding the notice dates, case finalization date, status and hearing date when applicable.

Prepares copies of case records for attorney and appellant by redacting and copying file within 14 days of receiving appeal notice. Tracks OAH hearings and resolves scheduling conflicts while maintaining a current calendar of hearings and conferences.

Sends weekly case and calendar updates to attorney and supervisor when OAH schedules hearing dates.

Alerts supervisor, attorney and case worker to any new appeals and conferences through email and calendar requests.

Sends copies of appropriate forms to the attention of the local department's Sheriff's Office and States Attorney's Office on a monthly basis.

Sends notice of conference to appellants and prepares files to include all appropriate paperwork .

Ensures CPS Database is updated for closed CPS files, ensuring to follow CPS file closing procedures; updating CPS database with status of file as closed; enters dates and marks files with ID number, and reviews file information for accuracy.

Monitors all cases after a final decision from OAH, notifying the attorney, supervisor and case workers of final outcome.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: One year of experience as a legal secretary to include keyboarding legal briefs, pleadings, affidavits, subpoenas and other legal documents; maintaining case files, schedules and logs and verifying legal citations and references.

Notes: 

1. Additional secretarial or other clerical experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Legalman classifications or Paralegal specialty codes in the administrative support field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

The ideal candidate would possess:

1. Two years of experience supporting a department executive or managerial staff.

2. One year of experience using Microsoft Office Suite Word and Excel and/or Google Docs. to create documents and reports.

3. One year of experience with Maryland State government.

4. An Associate of Arts Degree.

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

This position will require travel between Charles County, Calvert County and St. Mary's County, Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated ability to keyboard at a minimum speed of forty words per minute.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Room 142, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please fax requested information only to 410-333-0882. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.

If you have questions concerning the recruitment process for this position, please call 410-767-7414.

All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and job number and must be received by 5 P.M. on the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application.

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.




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