Job Details

Legal Secretary I/II - Public Defender

Are you interested in making a difference? If so, please consider joining our dedicated team at the County of Humboldt Public Defender's Office! The Public Defender Office provides mission-driven work with real impact.

You are part of a team that changes outcomes for real people. Work here is meaningful, emotionally impactful, and unlike any private-sector role. Work includes criminal, juvenile (criminal), mental health, and specialty court matters. Secretaries here are valued as essential partners that work with interdisciplinary teams: Attorneys, Social Workers, Investigators and admin staff. Collaborative & supportive team culture our office is known for humor, empathy, and a high-trust, fast-paced environment. Independence & ownership of work staff who want independence thrive in our office.

Job Highlights: This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including; drafting and filing legal documents, processing incoming documents into electronic case management system, answering telephones, and making client appointments. Work location: This position is located at 1001 4th Street St. Eureka, CA 95501. A typical work schedule for this position is M-F; 8-5. This position is represented by the AFSCME bargaining unit. Please note: This a continuous recruitment and Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.

Examples of Duties

• Drafts pleadings, subpoenas, briefs, contracts, ordinances and other legal documents and correspondence, memoranda and reports from stenographic notes, brief instructions, dictated tapes or printed materials
• Calendars and schedules court dates, meetings and appointments for attorneys; files or arranges for the filing of legal briefs and other necessary paperwork with the court
• Receives and screens visitors and telephone calls, providing information regarding the particular area of assignment, which may require the use of judgment and interpretation of policies and procedures or taking messages or referring the caller to the proper attorney
• Processes a variety of legal agreements, contracts, etc., following attorney's instructions. Researches and compiles a variety of informational materials
• Types drafts and a wide variety of finished documents, including both general and legal-related correspondence and documents; may use word processing equipment and input or retrieve data and prepare reports using an on-line computer system
• Initiates specified correspondence such as transmittal letters independently for signature by appropriate staff; reviews finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, compliance with policies and procedures, and appropriate English usage
• Organizes and maintains chronological and other files
• Relieves attorneys of certain administrative matters by following up on projects, transmitting information, keeping informed of pertinent activities, and scheduling and arranging for meetings
• Organizes own work, sets priorities and meets critical deadlines

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Office administrative and secretarial practices and procedures, including filing and business letter writing
• Legal office terminology, processes, procedures, and the format for legal documents. The operation of common office equipment, including a word processor and personal or on-line computer
• Record keeping, report preparation and filing methods
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals

Skill in:

• Drafting pleadings and other legal documents from stenographic notes, brief instructions, dictated tapes or printed information
• Providing varied and responsible secretarial and office administrative assistance to one or more attorneys and/or associated staff
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines
• Organizing and maintaining accurate records and files
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Typing accurately at a rate of 50 net words per minute from printed copy

Note: Specific positions may require skill in taking dictation at a rate of 80 words per minute by hand or stenographic machine and transcribing it accurately. Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license.

Desirable Education and Experience:

Legal Secretary I: One year of EITHER secretarial and office administrative experience equivalent to the County's class of Secretary OR legal office support experience equivalent to the County's classes of Legal Office Assistant II or Court Clerk II. Legal Secretary II: In addition to the above, two years of experience in providing legal secretarial and office administrative support to one or more attorneys and related support staff.

Working Conditions & Additional Information

Additional Information

A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applicants must apply online through the County's automated application system at

Applications must be submitted no later than the final filing date and time listed on the job flyer.

It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. Human Resources staff does not consider or review resumes or attachments. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Please read the job requirements section of the announcement. Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process.

Your performance in any employment examinations will be compared with the performance of others who take the tests. The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.

Selection Procedure

The County utilizes a set of rules to ensure that our hiring processes are fair and equitable. Applications will be screened and those considered qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.