Legal Assistant, Position no. 00550

Title: Legal Assistant, Position no. 0550

State Role Title: Hearing Legal Servcs Offcr I

Hiring Range: $55,000 - $63,250

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Motor Vehicles

Location: HEARINGS OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dmv.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is hiring for a Legal Assistant for a position within its Legal & Legislative Services Affairs department in Richmond, VA.

The Legal Assistant reports to the Chief Hearing Officer and is responsible for overseeing the administrative functions related to hearings and case management, including coordinating schedules, managing documentation, and ensuring effective communication between the hearing officers, legal representatives, work centers, and customers.

The role applies knowledge of the Code of Virginia, state and federal regulations related to administrative hearings, as well as, knowledge of guidelines, laws, rules, regulations, and policies related to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The position also provides legal and administrative support for the Legal Affairs Administration which includes the Assistant Commissioner for Legal Affairs, Chief Hearing Officer, Hearing Officers, and the Dealer Affairs Program Officer.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, serves approximately 6.2 million licensed drivers and ID card holders with over 8.4 million registered vehicles. In addition, DMV serves a wide array of businesses, including dealers, fuels tax customers, rental companies, driving schools, other state agencies, local governments, and non-profit organizations. DMV operates upon five fundamental core values: Trustworthiness, Respect, Accountability, Integrity, and Teamwork (TRAIT). We don’t just talk about our core values, we live them!

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to manage sensitive situations and understand the perspectives of all parties involved.
• Ability to remain neutral and unbiased in reviewing customer records and evaluating evidence.
• Considerable experience handling multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritizing tasks.
• Considerable experience with office management systems and procedures, including fielding telephone calls and emails from internal and external customers, maintaining filing and document storage systems, ordering office supplies, and reconciling monthly payments.
• Proficient skill in the use of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat Pro, scheduling databases, and other systems related to the various roles in the Hearing Office.
• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of office management, business practices, and legal processes.
• Demonstrated ability to apply and explain guidelines, policies, procedures, and statutory and regulatory authority.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team player, covering the work of others when the situation demands.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for conveying complex information clearly and persuasively to various stakeholders.
• Knowledge of administrative processes, rules of evidence, and legal standards applicable to administrative hearings.
• Some knowledge of the types of cases heard and relevant evidence in administrative proceedings.
• Strong decision-making skills to assess situations and evaluate evidence.
• Understanding of administrative processes, including record-keeping, reporting, and compliance.
• Understanding of mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
• Working knowledge of administrative law, due process, and regulatory compliance.
• Working knowledge of the methods of planning, conducting, and deciding informal and formal administrative proceedings.

Additional Considerations

• Working knowledge of the Motor Vehicle Code, the Administrative Process Act, and Agency driver and vehicle records.
• A solid understanding of ethical standards and a commitment to impartiality.
• Ability to comfortably and effectively conduct formal financial responsibility hearings and present findings to diverse audiences.
• Ability to conduct informal fact-findings and present findings comfortably and effectively to the Chief Hearing Officer and Hearing Officers.
• Ability to critically analyze cases, legal documents, and evidence to determine the relevant facts and conclusions of law.
• Ability to deal courteously and professionally with co-workers, DMV executives, public officials, and the public.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines and make timely decision without compromising quality.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DMV participates in E-Verify.

All applicants for employment must consent to a driver history and criminal background check. A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required on selected applicant(s).

Submission of an online application is required. DMV does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience as well as years of experience in order to properly assess your skills in the screening process. Candidates are evaluated based on information provided in the application materials. Missing information cannot be assumed.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disability Act. Contact 804-367-9728 for assistance.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TT

Contact Information

Name: DMV Employment

Phone: 804-367-0528

Email: employment@dmv.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.