Legal Secretary

LEGAL SECRETARY

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:

Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase

$26.14 - $35.22 hourly

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is being held to establish an Open Eligible List to fill current and future Legal Secretary positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange. 

DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will be open for a minimum of Five (5) business days and will close on 

Friday, June 6, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. (PST).

  
County of Orange, Office of County Counsel
The Office of County Counsel is charged with providing civil legal services to County government, e.g., defending and prosecuting litigation, advising the Board of Supervisors, and providing opinions to the County and district officers on matters pertaining to their duties.  The Office, as provided by the Government Code, was created on September 16, 1941, by Ordinance No. 432.  Most of County Counsel's functions are defined and mandated by California statutes, County ordinances, Board resolutions, Board policy and case law.    

County Counsel acts as in-house counsel.  The primary client is the Board of Supervisors, but all County officers and employees receive County Counsel's services.  Legal services are also provided to some independent local public entities such as the Grand Jury and the Orange County Flood Control District.  Legal services are not provided to individual citizens

Click here for more information on the County of Orange. 

Click here for more information on the Office of County Counsel.

The Office of the County Counsel is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Legal Secretary to provide vital clerical and legal administrative support to attorneys across a wide range of legal practice areas. As a journey-level professional in this classification, the Legal Secretary will independently prepare, process, and maintain legal documents and correspondence in support of litigation and advisory matters for the County of Orange.

This is an opportunity for individuals with experience in legal office environments who are looking to apply their skills in a fast-paced, public-sector legal setting. Legal Secretaries may be assigned to support one or more attorneys and will be cross-trained in various legal disciplines.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Prepare, proofread, and process a wide variety of legal documents including pleadings, correspondence, resolutions, ordinances, and templates from written drafts and oral instructions
• Maintain legal files (both electronic and hard copy) and case management systems, including tracking deadlines, generating reports, and managing court calendars
• Conduct citation checks to verify accuracy using legal reference materials and online resources
• Interact with County departments, and outside agencies to respond to inquiries and direct individuals to appropriate resources
• Schedule meetings, depositions, and court appearances in coordination with legal staff
• Prioritize workload to ensure responsiveness to legal deadlines and departmental needs
• Screen and route incoming phone calls, taking accurate messages as needed

Environmental and Working Conditions
  
Essential functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work primarily in an office setting around machinery with stationary or moving parts. May have exposure to firearms from working near law enforcement professionals. May work in facilities with adult inmates and/or juveniles who may have multiple and complex health, social and psycho-social needs. May be required to drive a County vehicle or use County-approved means of transportation for job-related travel.
  
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will, in addition to the minimum qualifications, possess knowledge and understanding of the following competencies:
  
Technical Knowledge | Legal Expertise

• Formatting, and processing knowledge for a wide variety of legal forms and documents for a multi-attorney office.
• Understanding procedures of various court systems regarding processing of legal documents and filing deadlines.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Word templates, Excel spreadsheets and Outlook.
• Performing advance internet research for court rules, procedures, citation checks, and other purposes.
• Working knowledge of automated document assembly software(s).
• Working knowledge with a case management system database used to track cases, assemble documents, calendar and monitor due dates.
• Setting up and maintaining legal case files and records management.
• Working Knowledge of law library organization in terms of finding relevant resources, conducting research as necessary and maintaining records.
• Using advanced online resources to ensure accuracy of citations.

 
Communication | Interpersonal Skills

• Using proper English grammar, punctuation, and spelling with emphasis on composition of both general business and legal correspondence.
• Presenting material clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other agency personnel and the public.
• Maintaining open and continuous communication with staff attorneys and other staff concerning assignments, upcoming deadlines, etc.

Problem Solving | Judgment Skills

• Performing legal and general clerical work with minimal supervision and instruction.
• Finding information and resources to complete time-sensitive tasks independently.

 
Organization | Time Management Skills

• Organizing skills, detail-oriented, flexible, and dependable.
• Planning tasks and set priorities to achieve both short and long-term goals.
• Using schedules, project plans, agendas, and other planning and organizing tools.
• Scheduling hearing dates and communicating schedule changes with attorneys and the relevant court system.

Minimum Qualifications - Legal Secretary
Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for this classification.

Recruitment process

Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process.  All candidates will be notified via email of their status along the process.
 

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. 

  
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified.  All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.
   
Eligible List
 Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

 
 Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Email notification:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
  
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
  
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
  
Frequently asked questions:
  
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
  
For specific information regarding the recruitment, please contact Emmanuel Tamayo by email at emmanuel.tamayo@ceo.oc.gov or (714) 834-4633.