What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Secretary I/II - Public Defender position at County of Humboldt?
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
This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including;
- Draft and file legal documents.
- Process incoming documents into electronic case management system.
- Answer telephones.
- Make 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.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, provides varied, responsible and confidential secretarial and office administrative assistance to one or more attorneys; may provide direction to office support staff on a project basis; performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Legal Secretary I is the entry level in this specialized secretarial series. It is designed to allow an experienced incumbent with either well-developed office administrative or secretarial support skills to learn the terminology, formats and procedures in the legal secretarial field, or an incumbent with knowledge of legal office terminology, formats and procedures to learn office administrative and secretarial support skills. This class is alternately staffed with Legal Secretary II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher level class.
Legal Secretary II is the journey level class of this series, fully competent to independently perform a wide range of legal secretarial support work. General procedures and guidelines are normally established by the secretarial supervisor or the attorney to which assigned; however, day-to-day activities may require the use of initiative and independent judgment. Responsibilities include regular contact with County staff and outside agencies in situations where tact and discretion are important. This class is distinguished from Senior Legal Secretary in that the latter assigns, directs and reviews the work of a legal secretarial and/or support staff.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Requirements
Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license.
Desirable Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY
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 https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/humboldtcountyca.
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to fill out the application?
- You should allow 30 – 45 minutes to fill out your application.
Can I change my application after submitting it?
- No. Once an application has been submitted, it is final. Applicants may submit a new application with updated information during the filing period if they wish. Only the most recent application submitted will be considered. All other applications will not be considered.
How long until I hear back from you and how can I check for updates on my application?
- You may receive communications regarding your application at different stages of the selection process. Important updates will be sent to the email address listed in your governmentjobs.com account at the time of notification. To ensure you don't miss any critical information, we recommend keeping your email address current and regularly checking both your inbox and junk mail folders throughout the process. You can also log into your governmentjobs.com account at any time to check your application status. If you have any questions about your application's progress, please contact the County of Humboldt Human Resources Personnel Division at 707-476-2349 or personnel@co.humboldt.ca.us.
Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview / Oral Exam?
- Yes, you will be informed via email if you are not selected for an interview / Oral Exam.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position.
If you’re excited about this role but your past work experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access and opportunities in its programs, activities, and employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disabilities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. If invited to an examination and you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please contact Human Resources immediately at (707) 476-2349 so arrangements can be made.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The county is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.
OTHER EXAMINATIONS
Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.
LICENSES
Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY
It is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.
Salary : $35,610 - $50,731
