Senior Legal Secretary

Senior Legal Secretary

Salary

$63,003.20 - $76,918.40 Annually

Location

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

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-0144

Department

Public Defender

Opening Date

07/21/2026

Closing Date

8/5/2026 8:00 AM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Definition and Class Characteristics

INTERVIEWS FOR SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE HELD THE WEEK OF AUGUST 17, 2026.

The Public Defender's Office is seeking a Senior Legal Secretary to join our busy, fast-paced office to provide support in our commitment to justice. We are a dynamic and innovative team on a Constitutionally mandated mission to defend the rights of indigent individuals charged with a crime. Every day brings new challenges, meaningful work and the opportunity to help make a difference in the community in which we serve.

The Senior Legal Secretary position plays a crucial role in daily operations, supporting all staff attorneys, interfacing with clients and outside consultants. Confidentiality, integrity, teamwork and excellent people skills are essential to this position. The ideal candidate must possess good organizational skills, a great work ethic, and a healthy sense of humor; must have experience using legal case management software (Karpel software a plus) and a possess a thorough knowledge of administrative and legal terminology, processes and procedures.

Examples of Duties

Proficiency in the use of technology is critical to this role, as the position is centered on electronic information exchanges between Justice Partners within Nevada County and other outside entities. The successful candidate must be comfortable with redacting various documents and viewing discovery media such as bodycam video. 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.

This position serves as lead in case opening and case file management and does entail serving as backup to receptionist, which includes receiving and screening telephone calls, emails, in-person visitors and setting client appointments. This role also includes assisting attorneys in some courtroom trial proceedings, such as preparing exhibits and documents, and providing administrative support throughout the trial process.

Knowledge and Skills Required

The successful candidate should be well-versed in the following additionally required attributes:

• Proven experience as a legal secretary with a focus on criminal law preferred
• Exceptional multitasking and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and delegate tasks as needed to meet strict deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to determine relevant information effectively

Our full-time staff members enjoy an extensive benefit package including but not limited to a generous leave program, 11 standard holidays and 3 floating holidays, CalPERS retirement, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses, and a deferred compensation plan including 401(a), 457(b), and Roth options. Nevada County is also a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program through the Department of Education. And because we care about work-life balance, we also offer flexible schedules and telework options to our staff depending on program needs!

Why Join Nevada County?

Nevada County is committed to fostering a supportive and high-performing workplace. Leadership prioritizes employee development, encourages open communication, and values the contributions of its staff. The organization is deeply connected to the community, actively listening and providing programs that promote safety, health, and well-being. 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.

Education and Experience Required

Completion of the twelfth grade

AND

Two years of responsible legal secretarial and staff support experience comparable to the level of a Legal Secretary II with the County of Nevada.

Read more about the Senior Legal Secretary job classification and minimum requirements here.

Benefits Guide

The Benefits Guide is a comprehensive document for employees of the County of Nevada. Information contained in this summary of benefits is not a binding document. Refer to specific unit summaries and agreements (MOUs) for additional benefit information.

Health Insurance

The County sponsored plan is the PERS Gold PPO, but you can also choose plans from providers such as Anthem, Blue Shield, and PORAC (if you are a member) to suit your needs.

Health Insurance Plans

• Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO
• Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO
• Blue Shield CalPERS Access+ HMO
• Blue Shield Trio HMO
• Kaiser HMO
• PERS Gold PPO (County sponsored plan)
• PERS Platinum PPO
• PORAC (Available to PORAC members only)

Flexible Spending Accounts

The County offers employees the option to contribute to a pre-tax medical FSA and dependent Care FSA.

Life Insurance

Voya is the Countys life insurance provider. We offer the following products through Voya:

• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Basic Term Life
• Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment plans
• Optional Dependent Term Life
• Optional Term Life

Dental & Vision Insurance

Nevada County employees can opt to receive dental and vision insurance without opting for health insurance coverage as well. This will give employees more flexibility to match their choice of insurance plans to their specific needs. Ameritas Dental is the dental provider offered through Nevada County and Ameritas VSP Vision Care is our vision care provider.

Retirement

The County is a member of the CalPERS retirement system and also provides the opportunity for voluntary contributions to a 457 deferred compensation account through Nationwide by way of pre-tax and Roth payroll deductions.

CalPERS Miscellaneous Tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employee originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 2.7% @ 55 Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 12/14/12-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6 months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 2%@60 Tier 3 (Hired by first CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13 or having a break in service of more than six months between another CalPERS employer and Nevada County) 2%@62

CalPERS Safety tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employees originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 3% @ 50. Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 7/2411-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6-months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 3% @ 55. Tier 3 (Hired by any CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13) 2.7% @ 57. We encourage you to visit the CalPERS home page, www.calpers.ca.gov, to search related information about the retirement plans noted here so that you fully understand what your retirement formula means to you.

NEVADA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Any information on this page or documents and links are subject to change without notice.

Nevada County Human Resources Department

950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-7010 option 2

Human.resources@nevadacountyca.gov

www.nevadacountyca.gov

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?

• Did not graduate High School or GED
• High School or GED
• Some college: 0-29 units
• Some college: 30-89 units (1+ years college)
• Some college: 90-119 units (2+ years college)
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

02

Which of the following best describes your years of experience performing legal secretary and staff support assignments, equivalent to the level of a Legal Secretary II with the County of Nevada?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

03

The Legal Secretary spends their time and the time of others on whats important; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks and creates focus. Please tell us about your experience in priority 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.

04

The Legal Secretary prepares a variety of correspondence and legal documents, including briefs, points and authorities, motions, petitions, resolutions, ordinances, legal opinions, contracts, leases, and agreements requiring knowledge of legal format, terminology, and procedures. Please tell us about your experience performing these duties.

• 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.

05

The Legal Secretary is responsible for maintaining litigation calendars, recording follow up trial dates, action dates, and deposition of cases. In addition, this position will also provide support to the professional legal staff and maintain appointment calendars, schedule meetings, and prepare travel arrangements. Please describe your experience maintaining accurate calendars for multiple items and staff.

• 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

The Legal Secretary works comfortably with Microsoft Office products like Word, Excel. PowerPoint, Teams, and other legal case management software. Please describe your experience with Microsoft Office and Legal Case Management software systems and technology.

• 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

Based on your answer above, please describe your comfort level working with Microsoft Office products and any legal case management software. Include how you would describe your comfort and ability with learning new technology that may include new software, programs, and applications impacting your daily job duties.

Required Question

Employer County of Nevada

Address 950 Maidu Avenue

Nevada City, California, 95959

Phone 530 265 7010

Website https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/