Legal Assistant Senior, District Attorney's Office

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

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Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

The Opportunity:

Advance your career in public service - join a team where professionalism, attention to detail, and purpose drive meaningful work. This work matters.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is seeking qualified Senior Legal Assistant candidates to join our dedicated team of legal professionals who play a vital role in upholding justice, supporting victims, and advancing public safety. As one of Oregon’s most visible and high-performing public law offices, we rely on skilled and adaptable support staff to ensure the smooth operation of the criminal justice system.

Legal Assistants are essential members of our team. The job profile series includes Legal Assistant 1, Legal Assistant 2, and Senior Legal Assistant. These important roles manage complex administrative and legal processes with accuracy, integrity, and a strong commitment to service. Whether you are seeking your next opportunity within the County or bringing valuable experience from outside our agency, we are looking for individuals who value excellence, take initiative, and are eager to contribute to a mission-driven organization.

Our office promotes from within and actively invests in the development of our legal support staff, recognizing that strong internal talent is the key to long-term success. At the same time, we welcome the fresh perspectives and new skills that strong external candidates bring. This is your opportunity to grow within a structured legal career path, work alongside attorneys and justice system partners, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of victims, witnesses, and the broader community.

As the most advanced role in the legal assistant series, Senior Legal Assistants serve as experienced professionals who not only manage high-level legal and administrative work, but also act as mentors, technical experts, and informal leaders within the office. This position plays a critical role in modeling professional standards, supporting newer staff, and helping to strengthen the overall capacity and effectiveness of our legal support teams.

We're currently looking to fill positions located at the Central Courthouse 1200 SW 1st Avenue Suite #5200, Portland, Oregon.

Your main responsibilities includes, but are not limited to the following:

• Accurately enter felony cases, including fugitive and extradition matters, into legal and case management systems, ensuring completeness and timeliness under minimal supervision.

• Run and interpret criminal history records from law enforcement databases to support legal decisions, often in high-stakes or time-sensitive contexts.

• Prepare, draft, and proofread court orders from attorney notes; ensure legal documents meet quality and procedural standards and are filed appropriately.

• Issue subpoenas for records and witnesses; serve as a resource for subpoena clerks and assist with troubleshooting subpoena-related issues.

• Respond to inquiries from victims, witnesses, attorneys, external agencies, and others with professionalism and cultural responsiveness, providing guidance consistent with office policies, legal requirements, and confidentiality expectations.

• Investigate complex factual and legal questions using internal systems, case documentation, and procedural knowledge to determine next steps or identify appropriate legal actions.

• Act in a lead capacity by supporting team coordination during court calendars, managing workflow during staff absences, and guiding real-time problem-solving.

• Serve as a technical expert and mentor to other legal support staff, contributing to onboarding, cross-training, and skills development to build overall team capacity.

• Participate in process improvement initiatives and office-wide projects that require resourcefulness, discretion, and independent judgment.

• Model high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability while operating in a fast-paced, high-volume legal environment.

Most vacancies in the District Attorney's Office are full-time, however this list may be used to fill part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call openings.  If you are interested in joining our team of dynamic individuals, we strongly encourage you to apply!

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Required Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills: 

• Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.

• Three years of general clerical experience.

• Five years of responsible legal clerical experience, including three years of legal assistant experience working within a district attorney, county counsel, or relevant legal office.

• Basic working knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of the criminal or judicial system, and some knowledge of legal terminology and legal databases.

Preferred Special Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• Bilingual highly preferred (will require a language proficiency exam) 

• Advanced knowledge of data systems such as RegJIN, LEDS, NCIC, Odyssey, PbK and Microsoft Word.

• LEDS Certification, knowledge of and/or experience using legal terminology is highly desirable. 

Other: Candidates must successfully pass a thorough criminal background check and post -offer urine drug screen.

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During the interview process, you will be asked to sign a disclosure statement about the arrests and convictions of immediate family members and close relations pursuant to our policy regarding Outside Associations. Immediate family is defined to include parents, spouse, spouse equivalent, brother, sister, children, grandparents, or any individual where the relationship is close or intimate, or a roommate. An answer of "Yes" to any Outside Associates will not automatically disqualify an applicant.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of application materials for minimum qualifications

• Oral exam

• Consideration of top candidates

• Background and reference checks

Pay Equity: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Note: Please be mindful of checking your email inbox for messages upon submitting your application. You may be emailed requesting for additional items from the Recruiter or hiring manager. If a response is not received in a timely manner your application may not be considered.

Required: The Application Packet: You must submit all requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. An online application demonstrating you meeting minimum qualifications

2. Resume:  Please include all related experience (paid or unpaid). Please be specific about your experience as it relates to the Essential Job Functions, To Qualify, and Specific KSAs sections above.) Resume should include the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, and a brief summary of your responsibilities.

3. Cover letter addressing:

• Why you are interested in the position, AND

• How you meet the required minimum qualifications for this position (Detailing how your experience and training qualifies you for this role. Please be specific about your experience as it relates to the Essential Job Functions and To Qualify Required and Preferred Minimum Qualifications/*Transferable Skills.

Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview.

Additional Information

Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime.

Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefit package to all eligible employees. A few highlights include :

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx through Cigna, Moda Health or Kaiser Permanente).

• Qualify for a defined benefit pension after five years of vesting; we pick up the employee's share of the retirement contribution (6% of subject wages).

• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, parental, bereavement, military etc.)

• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Optional deferred compensation and flexible spending accounts

• Access to a free annual Tri-met bus pass

• Access to wellness resources​

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: 

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency responses. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, County employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page. 

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

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Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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