Legal Secretary - Senior

Job Description

Introduction

This is a promotional recruitment - only permanent and/or probationary County employees are eligible to apply.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To provide responsible, administrative, and secretarial assistance to a legal unit; to provide highly responsible administrative staff assistance including conducting specific and moderately complex analyses of a wide range of legal documents; and may provide technical and functional supervision over assigned staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level class in the Legal Secretary series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing assigned duties, and by the nature of the public contact made. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including routine legal research, preparation of first drafts and may provide technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in procedures related to Misdemeanor, DUI, Family Protection, and the Felony Units of the District Attorney's Office.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from management or supervisory staff.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over assigned legal secretarial and clerical staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide responsible secretarial and technical assistance to professional legal staff; perform routine legal research and prepare draft Board of Supervisors agenda items.
  
• Provide routine administrative staff assistance including conducting specific analyses of a wide range of legal documents.
  
• Assist in formulating office policy, goals, and procedures; collect and compile relevant data supporting recommendations.
  
• Assist in the development of new program elements and program modifications as necessary to meet stated goals and objectives.
  
• Perform administrative detail work and maintain appropriate records and statistics.
  
• Conduct surveys and perform research and statistical analysis as requested; prepare related reports.
  
• Compile materials and prepare reports and documents.
  
• Review contracts for accuracy and completeness of signatures, dates, and exhibits.
  
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information from the public and County staff.
  
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
  
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is typically performed in an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions. Position may require travel to and from locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Show Your Qualifications

When applying, please be sure to clearly describe how your background meets each of the Minimum Qualifications listed below. This ensures our screening team can accurately evaluate your eligibility.

Experience: Four (4) years of highly responsible legal secretarial experience including research and analysis of legal documents.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth-grade.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Experience as a Substitute

You may substitute relevant, equivalent experience for the required education. The Human Resources Department will evaluate your background to ensure it qualifies as the same knowledge, skills, and abilities as the specified degree or coursework.

International Degrees

If you earned your degree outside the United States, you must provide proof of accreditation from a recognized evaluation agency. Please attach this documentation to your application to ensure your education is verified.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of a law environment.
  
• Principles and practices of routine legal filings and court legal processes.
  
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
  
• Legal terminology.
  
• Principles and practices of legal secretarial work.
  
• Principles of customer service.
  
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
  
• Basic statistics and analytical techniques.
  

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently review documents related to department operations; understand, identify, interpret, explain, and problem solve department operations, practices, policies, and procedures; recall and utilize a variety of information; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time.
  
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, squat, kneel, twist, and reach while retrieving or returning files and while accessing office equipment; speak, use telephone, and write or use keyboard to communicate; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift light weight.
  
• Use computer word processing, spread sheet, database, and customized applications.
  
• Work with accuracy and thoroughness under stress.
  
• Independently perform complex legal secretarial duties.
  
• Review and analyze legal documents and perform routine legal research.
  
• Research and draft legal documents.
  
• Analyze situations accurately and develop effective courses of action.
  
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
  
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  
• Perform administrative detail work including preparing clear and concise reports.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  
• Assign work and train legal secretarial and clerical staff.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Applicants are required to complete a Supplemental Questionnaire,which serves as the examination for this recruitment.

• Evaluation: We use a pre-determined formula to score your responses related to education, training, and professional experience.

Accuracy: Please ensure your application and questionnaire thoroughly reflect your background, as these scores determine your ranking on the eligible list.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:

General

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Salary Grade:
GNRL-73 - Range A
GNRL-73 - Range B

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Pre-Hire Requirements

Candidates must complete the following requirements before their start date if an offer is extended:

• DOJ Criminal Background Clearance: Successfully complete a fingerprint-based background check through the California Department of Justice.
  
• Medical Evaluation: Pass a pre-employment physical, which may include drug screening and/or a psychological evaluation.
  
• Oath of Office: Subscribe to the constitutional oath or affirmation as required for all public employees by the California Constitution.
  
• Employment Eligibility Verification: Provide original documents that establish both identity and the legal right to work in the United States, as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  

Position-Specific Requirements

In addition to the above, some positions may require one or more of the following:

• Age Verification: Provide documentation verifying that you meet the minimum legal age requirements for this position.
  
• Background Check: Some positions require a background investigation. This may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, polygraph, and/or proof of bonding.
  
• Law Enforcement: Applicants for law enforcement functions must complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process.
  
• Medi-Cal Access/Licensing: Applicants with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification.
  

Failure to clear all requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

Substitute Lists

The eligible list from this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies in similar roles or lower-level positions within the same career series (e.g., journey-level vs. entry-level).

• Interviews: If contacted to interview for a similar role, the hiring department will provide the specific job details before the interview.
  
• No Risk: Choosing not to interview for a different classification will not affect your standing on the original list for which you applied.
  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. All applicants and employees receive fair and equal consideration in every stage of employment. Employment decisions are based on job‑related qualifications and are not influenced by any protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. Refer to our Equal Employment Opportunity Program and Policy Statement (PDF ) for detailed information.

Applicants who need an accommodation during the recruitment or examination process should contact Human Resources at least five working days before the scheduled exam.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Kristen Cannon, Administrative Technician, at kcannon@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4661.

Closing Date/Time: 11/10/2026 5:00:00 PM