Legal Secretary I - CWA

Salary : $41,775.00 - $66,839.00 Annually
Location : 800 E. City Hall Avenue, Suite 600, Norfolk, VA
Job Type: Unclassified
Job Number: 13314
Department: Commonwealth's Attorney
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
The Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of all felony charges and some misdemeanor charges resulting from violations of the Criminal Code of Virginia occurring in the City of Norfolk. The Office also handles certain civil matters, including forfeiture actions against property used in connection with crimes, expungement and sealing of criminal records, and restoration of driving privileges.

Our office is seeking a Legal Secretary I to perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. This position will prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas and may also assist with legal research.
Departmental Hiring Salary: $43,696.64
**This position works at the will of the Commonwealth's Attorney**

Essential Functions
The essential functions of this position are responsible for but are not limited to, customer service, administrative duties of the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, typing letters, filing documents by hand and electronically, updating the office's case management system (Prosecutor by Karpel), preparing indictments, and creating subpoenas, transportation orders, and other legal documents.

Knowledge, skills, and ability to effectively communication orally and in writing. Paying attention to grammar, punctuation, spelling, proofing, and arithmetic. Proficient in the use of computers and software programs to include word processing, database management, and spreadsheets. Having the ability to maintain and organize records, file alphabetically, numerically and chronologically, effectively listen, understand and follow directions. Should also have the ability to write legibly, to schedule and coordinate meetings and conferences, to interpret written material, and have the ability learn the policies and procedures of the team to which assigned. Ensure all data is verified, detailed, and organized. Must demonstrate tact, discretion, good judgment, regular and punctual attendance, and good telephone etiquette.
Education/Experience


Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of one year of related clerical/secretarial experience.


The ideal candidate will have experience working in a legal office environment, be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook; Adobe Acrobat or Nuance PowerPDF; and a legal case management system, preferably Prosecutor by Karpel.

Additional Information & Requirements

Work Location: 810 Union Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
  
  
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
  
  
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
  
  
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01


The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02


Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

03


Do you have experience working in an office setting performing administrative or secretarial work?

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of experience do you have working in an office setting performing administrative or secretarial work?

• I have no prior experience
• 1 -2 years experience
• 2-4 years experience
• 4 + years experience

05


Briefly describe your experience working in an office setting performing administrative or secretarial work. If you do not haveexperience, enter N/A
06


Please rate your level of proficiency with the Microsoft Suite (Applicants may be subject to a skills assessment)

• Not Proficient
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

07


Do you have experience using a dictating machine to compose correspondence?

• Yes
• No

08


Do you have experience researching information on various topics for use in legal proceedings or briefings?

• Yes
• No

09


Please describe your experience researching information on various topics for use in legal proceedings or briefings. Specify your research method(s), the subject matter researched, and the purpose. If you do not have experience, enter N/A.
10


Do you have experience assisting clients or customers with inquiries, providing timely responses to requests, and answering phones in a customer focused office environment?

• Yes
• No

11


Are you currently a resident of Norfolk, Virginia?

• Yes
• No

12


Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

13


Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question