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Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Tribal Attorney's Office Legal Secretary

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe See More Job Openings by This EmployerArrow
  • Full Time
  • $22 - $30/hour
  • Port Angeles, WA
October 7, 2026 Attorney

Job Description


Summary: Working under the direct supervision of the Tribal Attorney’s Office (TAO), the Legal Secretary serves as the administrative assistant in the TAO and is responsible for case load management, drafting correspondence, scheduling, and a variety of support duties. The Legal Secretary is expected to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the TAO and the Tribe. With the direction and support of the TAO, the Legal Secretary shares in the TAO’s duties of confidentiality to the tribal government client.


Work Location: Tribal Center Government Offices 

Supervised By: Lead Tribal Attorney

Work Schedule: M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm

Salary: $22 to $30 per hour, depending on experience.

Position Status: Regular, full-time, Hourly with benefits. 


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Respond to calls, emails and workflow requests from executive officers and staff, department directors and managers, secretaries, peers, and interact with members of the public in a courteous and professional manner.
  • Enter approved workflow requests in matter database, build matter file, track progress and reminders for Tribal Attorneys.
  • Perform weekly, monthly, and quarterly audit of pending workflow requests.
  • Maintain governmental archiving system to include recording governmental documents as the Tribe may designate by law or resolution. 
  • Process and manage correspondence including composing and typing routine correspondence and reading and routing incoming mail.
  • Perform other clerical duties such as scheduling appointments and providing information to callers.
  • Maintain office filing system and ensure proper indexing and filing of legal documents, including final contracts, tribal codes, policies, and resolutions.
  • Store, organize, and maintain multiple formats (including automated Systems of record) or data in a usable condition; assure information is readily available; disseminate information effectively and securely.
  • Assist with office budget and financial management and interact with Finance Department.
  • Maintain office supplies.
  • Draft, format, and proofread legal documents, and perform other legal support tasks as requested by the Tribal Attorney.
  • Perform other tasks and duties as requested by the Tribal Attorney.


Desired Qualifications (Minimum Required for Indian Preference in Hiring):

  • An Associate or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in in Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, Legal Administration, Tribal Governance, Native American/Indigenous Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education, legal training, and directly relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement.
  • Minimum one year experience working in a law office as a legal secretary, legal assistant, or paralegal. An equivalent combination of education, legal training, and directly relevant legal field experience may substitute for the one-year requirement.
  • Ability to read, write, and speak English. 
  • Ability to read, comprehend, and follow instructions.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate potentially detailed and complex information to others.
  • Highly organized, and ability and willingness to tackle large organizational projects.
  • Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and proficiency in drafting, revising, proofreading, and formatting a variety of legal documents with exceptional accuracy, grammar, and attention to detail.
  • Aptitude and willingness to work with complex procedures. 
  • Strong research skills, including via internet, databases (Westlaw) and other sources.
  • Understanding of basic office financial management.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and adjust to changing priorities in a professional manner.
  • Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work independently and with a team.
  • Willingness and ability to assume new tasks and responsibilities.
  • Strong service orientation and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, Business Committee, executive officers and staff, department directors and managers, secretaries, and peers.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
  • Must be able to pass a background check with:
  • No prior convictions for: child-related offenses; theft, fraud, bribery, extortion, perjury, embezzlement or conspiracy to commit any of the same; or any felonies;
  • No prior civil judgments for dishonesty, fraud, misappropriation of property or funds, or conversion; and
  • No reported instances of negligence in carrying out essential job functions.
  • Must be able to comply with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Drug Free Workplace policies, including pre-employment UA testing.
  • Must possess an unrestricted Washington State driver’s license within 30 days of employment, and meet Driver Qualifications set forth in the Tribe’s Motor Vehicle Operation Policy.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Administrative experience working for an Indian Tribal Government.
  • Experience with and understanding of Federal Indian Law.
  • Litigation support experience.
  • Current Notary Public Certificate from Washington DOL.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Skill in problem analysis and resolution.
  • Strong organizational skills, thoroughness, accuracy, and attention to detail. 
  • Ability to effectively communicate with others both orally and in writing.
  • Strong work ethic and ability to take initiative. 
  • Business acumen. 
  • Technical Capacity to work with standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. 


Physical Requirements:

  • Regularly required to speak and hear.
  • Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands and fingers to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
  • Moderate lifting, occasionally 15-40 pounds.
  • Must be able to work at a desk 8 hours a day.
  • Must be capable of occasionally driving up to 8 hours in a single day.


*This position is Indian Preference in hiring.

Salary
  • $22 - $30/hour


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