| Location | Merced, CA |
| Salary | $65,249.60–$79,393.60 Per Year |
Legal Assistant - Confidential
Salary
$65,249.60 - $79,393.60 Annually
Location
Merced County Counsel Department 2222 M St Merced, CA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
2600580
Department
County Counsel
Opening Date
08/14/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Bargaining Unit
20E Management
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Prepare documents and confirm compliance with statues, court decisions, or other legal authorities.
Assist attorneys to prepare, assemble, and organize legal options and memoranda such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, motions, search warrants, contracts, complaints, petitions, ordinances, interrogatories and other legal documents used by attorneys.
On behalf of attorneys, make appointments and maintain calendar of court dates and conferences.
May recommend form revisions and procedural changes as appropriate.
Take appropriate follow-up action on legal documents such as filing documents with appropriate courts, arranging for court trial dates and opposing counsel.
Type a variety of material from handwritten or typed draft copy, and prepare correspondence or reports.
Perform routine clerical tasks such as filing, duplicating, photocopying, and assembling mail.
May interview witnesses, collect statistical data and conduct financial investigations.
May assist in training and directing the work of subordinate clerical staff.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
Three (3) years of experience preparing a variety of legal documents, supplemented by coursework in legal office practices and business law, preferably with at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to a Legal Secretary.
OR
Three (3) years of documented experience in performing research and analysis, and drafting subpoenas, writs, complaints, or similar para-legal activities.
OR
Completion of an approved legal para-professional training program and two (2) years of experience in the preparation of legal documents.
Essential Functions
Process, prepare and maintain legal documents in the assigned office.
Ability to research information from various codes and other legal records.
Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; use of data entry device; repetitive hand and arm motion.
Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
Regular attendance is an essential function.
Knowledge of:
Knowledge of legal documents, procedures, terminology, and forms.
Various legal documents and their uses.
Filing procedures and legal terminology.
Legal office practices and procedures.
Principles and practices of civil and/or criminal law.
Operation and use of a computer, office equipment and machines.
Business English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.
Preparation and maintenance of court calendars.
Ability to:
Perform difficult and complex assignments with speed and accuracy and meet deadlines.
Collect and examine financial data.
Understand and apply legal principles and precedents.
Draft contracts, resolutions, letters and other legal documents.
Make logical presentations of statements of facts.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, official and the general public.
Read, understand, interpret and apply technical material and directions.
Basic accounting procedures.
Learn to input, access, and analyze data using a computer.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
Keep and maintain records.
Use good judgment in recognizing the scope and limit of authority delegated.
Why Merced County? A message from the CEO:
HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION
10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours). Optional annual sell back of a portion of accumulated vacation leave hours (maximum - 40 hours).
SICK LEAVE
0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.
HOLIDAYS
Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
Five (5) regularly scheduled consecutive workdays.
INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums.
Dental Insurance - Delta Dental
Vision Insurance - VSP
DISABILITY INSURANCE
Management Disability Insurance - Unit 20 Unrepresented Management Levels A-E - 100% premium paid by employer
LIFE INSURANCE
County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee
RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.
MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION
The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.
EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.
EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS
The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.
THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.
For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7356.
01
Please provide the types of case management systems and computer applications in which you have experience.
02
Detail your experience in filing legal documents electronically.
03
Describe in detail your experience processing legal documents for court action. List at least three (3) different types of legal documents that you have continually formatted, prepared and processed as part of your work assignment.
Required Question
Employer Merced County
Address 2222 M Street
Merced, California, 95340
Phone (209) 385-7682
(209) 385-7682
Website http://www.countyofmerced.com