Temporary Legal Secretary I - Public Defender

Salary: $23.86 - $29.13 Hourly
Location : 109 North Pine Street, Nevada City, CA 95959, CA
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: 2026-0120
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
Closing Date: 6/29/2026 8:00 AM Pacific


Definition and Class Characteristics
Apply your experience as a legal secretary in the Public Defender's 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.


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.
NOTE:

This summary of benefits is not a binding document and is provided as a courtesy. Refer to specific unit summaries and agreements (MOUs) for additional benefit information for each employee group.

Sick Leave:

Temporary County employees shall accrue at the rate of one (1) hour of sick leave for each thirty (30) hours worked. Temporary County employees can accrue a maximum of 80 hours of sick leave which may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.

Medical Benefits:

Temporary employees whose assignments average 30 hours per week or more are eligible to enroll in County-sponsored medical benefits.


NEVADA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Any information on this page or links is subject to change without notice. Nevada County Human Resources Department

950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959 View phone number on click.appcast.io option 2

Comments, please email:View email address on click.appcast.io
01


Which of the following 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
• One year completed (30 semester units, 45 quarter units)
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

02


Please select the choice that best describes your years of experience comparable to Nevada County's classification of a Legal Office Assistant II. Please review the job description to be able to answer accurately:

• None
• Less than 1 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


Do you attest that you have the ability to type at least 40 words per minute?Please attach a typing certificate to your application.

• Yes, and I have attached the certificate to my application.
• No, I can't type 40 words per minute.

04


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.

05


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.

06


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

• Yes
• No

Required Question