Legal Assistant

Employer

County of Hawai`i

Salary

$66,384.00 - $83,940.00 Annually

Location

Future vacancies with immediate vacancy in Hilo, HI

Job Type

Permanent & Temporary Positions

Job Number

2026-00105

Department

Prosecuting Attorney

Opening Date

07/26/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Duties Summary

Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews a variety of complex legal clerical and office services activities in a law office; participates in the more difficult aspects of work involved; and performs other related duties as required. This level is distinguished by its responsibility for supervising the legal clerical and office services activities for a major division of a law office and, in addition, for assisting in the administrative services functions of the overall office. There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney - East Hawai'i Clerical Unit in Hilo. May be eligible to receive a $3,000 Recruitment Incentive. Conditions apply. (Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.) The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, organizes, and supervises a variety of legal clerical and office services activities in a law office.
• Participates in providing a variety of complex legal clerical and secretarial services to attorneys.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of files and records.
• Sets up procedures to control incoming and outgoing materials and pending and completed work.
• Revises work procedures and sets up operational policies for greater efficiency.
• Ensures attorneys attend court hearing, trials, and meetings.
• Determines priorities and assigns and reviews the work of subordinates.
• Screens calls and visitors, provides information, makes appointments for attorneys.
• Researches files and documents to obtain information for attorneys and to compile data and prepare periodic activity reports.
• Orients new members of legal staff as to division organization, functions, and procedures.
• Trains new clerical employees.
• Advises subordinates in work procedures and clarifies office policies.
• Recommends personnel actions; resolves grievances.
• Compiles budget estimates for the division and supervises maintenance of inventory of supplies.
• Assists in the internal management of the legal office as required.
• May take and transcribe dictation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience : A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from high school, and
• six (6) years of progressively responsible legal clerical work experience, of which
• two (2) years shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License Requirement :

• possession of a valid State of Hawai`i Driver License (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver license at time of filing, as applicable to the position. You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire, if the position requires a driver's license. (The immediate vacancy with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney requires a valid driver's license.)

Substitution of education for required legal clerical experience:

• Legal Secretary of Paralegal Certificate from an accredited college or university may be substituted for six (6) months of the required legal clerical experience;
• an Associates degree or higher from an accredited college or university may be substituted for lack of the required legal clerical experience on a year for year basis (examples: 30 college credits can be substituted for one (1) year of the required legal clerical experience, an Associates degree can be substituted for two (2) years of the required legal clerical experience, and a baccalaureate degree or higher can be substituted for four (4) years of the required legal clerical experience). (Scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to be credited for the substitution of legal clerical experience.)

Note: Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official credential evaluation report to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official credential evaluation report to your application.) Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application. Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week. Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application. Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process. Knowledge of : Principles and practices of supervision; commonly used legal terms, practices, procedures, and forms; types of court actions and methods of court procedure; and law office practices and procedures. Ability to : Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of a clerical staff engaged in legal clerical activities; locate and abstract data from legal files and records; process and maintain legal records and documents; prepare reports; deal effectively with employees and the public; as applicable to the position, type or keyboard at a rate of 40 net words per minute which applicants may be required to demonstrate by satisfactorily passing an assessment exercise at the time of interview; and as applicable to the position, take dictation at a rate of 80 words per minute and transcribe notes accurately which applicants may be required to demonstrate by satisfactorily passing an assessment exercise at time of interview. Physical Requirements : Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Physical Effort Grouping : Light Benefits of County Employment : The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program : This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Supplemental Information

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required :

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application. PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS: Please ensure that the email address and mobile phone number you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails and text messages or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner. Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you. This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV. Please add View email address on click.appcast.io to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you don't receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you. You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted. APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT: E-mail: View email address on click.appcast.io

Benefits of County employment : The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program : Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries. For more information visit
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
  • Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)
  • Vision Plan
  • Dental Plan
  • Prescription Drug Plan

These benefits are administered by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund. For more information about current employee contribution rates and plans see the EUTF website ( ).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as: Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Victims Protection Leave, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, Donor Leave, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. 01 REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS. The information provided to these Supplemental Questions may be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements and/or your final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected or you receiving a lower score. Please do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. Any information you submit may be verified. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience Sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.

• I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information.

02 Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the closing date of the recruitment, unless otherwise specified. Your possession of the required amount of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for the position. Overall paid or unpaid experience must be of such scope and responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of the position. It is essential that you describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week. Note: Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour work weeks. Part-time experience must be pro-rated. Example: Twelve months of experience at 20 hours per week is equivalent to six months of experience. In addition, hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week, per work experience, will not be credited. Example: Twelve months of experience at 60 hours per week is equivalent to one year, not one and one-half years.

• I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information.

03 Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or HiSET)?

• Yes
• No

04 Do you have a Legal Secretary or Paralegal Certificate from an accredited college or university? (Scan and attach a copy of your Legal Secretary or Paralegal Certificate to your application.)

• Yes
• No

05 Did you graduate from an accredited college or university with an Associates Degree or higher? Note: Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official credential evaluation report to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official credential evaluation report to your application.)

• Yes
• No

06 Do you have six (6) years of progressively responsible legal clerical work experience?

• Yes
• No

07 If you answered "Yes" to question #6, please describe your legal clerical work experience. Treat each change in employer or position separately. Include the following information: A. Employer's name B. Your job title C. Employment dates (from month/day/year to month/day/year) D. Hours worked per week E. The legal forms and documents you prepared, typed and processed. F. Detailed description of your duties. G. The percentage of time you spent performing legal clerical work. If you answered "No," enter N/A. Be specific and complete ALL questions for ALL experience you are claiming. The following are unacceptable responses: - See above - Refer to resume - See attached 08 If you answered "Yes" to question #6, were two (2) years of your legal clerical work experience in a supervisory capacity?

• Yes
• No

09 If you answered "Yes" to question #8, please describe your supervisory legal clerical work experience. Treat each change in employer or position separately. Include the following information: A. Employer's name B. Your job title C. Employment dates (from month/day/year to month/day/year) D. Hours worked per week E. Description of your duties F. The number of employees you supervised G. The percentage of time you spent performing this work. If you answered "No," enter N/A. Be specific and complete ALL questions for ALL experience you are claiming. The following are unacceptable responses: - See above - Refer to resume - See attached 10 Do you have a valid State of Hawai`i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver's license at the time of filing? (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire, if the position requires a driver's license.)

• Yes
• No

* Required Question

Employer County of Hawai`i Address Department of Human Resources 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 2 Hilo, Hawaii, 96720 Phone View phone number on click.appcast.io Website