Temporary Legal Secretary II - Public Defender

Temporary Legal Secretary II - Public Defender

Salary

$26.36 - $32.18 Hourly

Location

109 North Pine Street, Nevada City, CA 95959, CA

Job Type

Temporary

Job Number

2026-0121

Department

Public Defender

Opening Date

06/12/2026

Closing Date

6/29/2026 8:00 AM Pacific

• Description
• Questions

Definition and Class Characteristics

Apply your experience as a legal secretary in the Public Defenders Office!

INTERVIEWS FOR SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE HELD THE WEEK OF JULY 6, 2026.

We are recruiting at multiple levels, we encourage you to apply for all levels that you feel you are qualified.

The Public Defender's Office is a dynamic and innovative team on a Constitutionally mandated mission to defend the rights of indigent individuals charged with a crime. We are seeking a Legal Secretary to join our busy, fast-paced office to provide support in our commitment to justice. This position plays a crucial role in daily operations. Confidentiality, integrity, teamwork and excellent people skills are essential to this position. Every day brings new challenges, meaningful work and the opportunity to help make a difference in the community. There will be coordination and collaboration with other departments within the HHSA Agency as well as the District Attorney's office and the Nevada County Superior Court.

Examples of Duties

This position includes the following tasks and duties:

• Create new case files, retrieve, manage, maintain and interface data in the Case Management System, ensuring files are organized and up to date at all times
• Process, maintain, and prepare a variety of routine legal forms, records, reports, civil documents and correspondence, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Provide legal support to attorneys throughout all stages of caseload, which may include conducting research and gathering relevant information for case preparation, including preparation of spreadsheets, redacting sensitive information from reports, transporting/retrieving files from storage
• May prepare and draft legal documents as assigned, such as motions, pleadings, and other case-related correspondence
• May assist attorneys in courtroom proceedings, such as preparing exhibits and documents, and providing administrative support during trials
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with the utmost professionalism
• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients, witnesses, and other legal professionals
• Act as backup to receptionist, receiving and screening telephone calls, emails and in-person visitors, and setting client appointments

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Proven experience as a legal secretary or in a similar role, with a focus on criminal law preferred
• Exceptional multitasking and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet strict deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to determine relevant information effectively
• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedures, and administrative practices
• Proficiency with databases as well as Microsoft Office Suite
• Previous experience successfully implementing efficient filing and document management systems in a paperless legal environment

Education and Experience Required

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

Completion of the twelfth grade and one year of responsible clerical and staff support experience comparable to the level of a Legal Office Assistant II with the County of Nevada. One year of college-level education may be substituted for the required experience.

Level II (in addition to the above): Two years of experience in a legal secretarial assignment equivalent to the Countys Legal Secretary I.

Licenses and Certificates:

Typing at a net rate of 40 wpm. (Please attach typing certificate to your application.)

This position is part-time temporary; part-time employees work an average of 20 hours but not more than 29 hours per week, for a maximum of 960 hours per fiscal year. Temporary employees earn sick leave but are not eligible for other vacation or holiday pay, medical, dental, or vision benefits, or CalPERS.

Why Nevada County?

Because here, your contribution, your worth, your ideas, all have a place. We thrive on transparent and ongoing communication through employee newsletters, social media and hosted sites. We strive to be the best version of ourselves through continuous improvement. We learn and grow as a team. Great discoveries happen when people from a diverse set of backgrounds come together. Best of all, you make a difference in the lives of our community every day. Bring your whole self to our place.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Please read full job description here.

01

Which of the following choices best describes your level of education? Please attach a copy of your college level transcripts (unofficial are accepted) or degree to your application.

• Did not graduate High School or GED
• High School or GED
• Some college: 0-30 units
• Some college: 31-59
• Some college: 60-89 units
• Some college: 90-119 units
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

02

Which of the following best describes your years of experience performing specialized clerical work involving knowledge of legal terminology and legal procedures, along with a wide variety of administrative support?

• None
• Less than one year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

03

Please select the choice that best describes your years of experience comparable to Nevada Countys classification of a Legal Secretary I. Please review the job description to be able to answer accurately: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mynevadacounty/classspecs/1078104

• None
• Less than one year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

04

Do you attest that you have the ability to type at least 40 words per minute? Please upload a copy of your net typing or keyboarding speed to your application.

• Yes, I can type 40 words per minute.
• No, I cant type 40 words per minute

05

Please describe your comfort level in customer service and clerical work in a busy office setting.

• I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.
• I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.
• I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
• I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
• I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise.

06

Please describe your knowledge and skill level in performing legal office work.

• I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.
• I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.
• I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
• I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
• I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise.

07

Are you retired from a CalPERS agency (CalPERS annuitant)? Due to CalPERS restrictions, annuitants are not eligible for this position.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Nevada

Address 950 Maidu Avenue

Nevada City, California, 95959

Phone 530 265 7010

Website https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/