U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring: Legal Secretary (General Counsel

Job Description

Initial Posting Date: 08/06/2025

Application Deadline: 09/28/2025

Agency: Department of Justice

Salary Range: $3,856 - $5,325

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Legal Secretary (General Counsel Division) - Salem

Overview

The Oregon Department of Justice is seeking to hire an experienced Legal Secretary to join the General Counsel Division, Health and Human Services Section. If selected, you will support attorneys responsible for providing comprehensive legal advice, litigation support and services to Oregon's state agencies, boards, and commissions. You will help ensure legal filings and supporting material reflect the Department's quality standards and help attorneys prepare for case-related hearings and client meetings.

Job Duties (in part)

• Draft, proofread, and edit case-related correspondence, pleadings, briefs and other documents for section attorneys and other section personnel; check all case cites for accuracy.
• Coordinate and schedule case preparation meetings, hearing dates, deposition dates and conference calls with agency personnel, court personnel, hearings personnel, opposing parties and witnesses; coordinate and schedule various meetings for section personnel.
• Perform data entry and retrieval from the Division's case management and docket system, including critical legal deadlines.
• Open, event and maintain, close files and follow-up as appropriate.
• Prepare exhibits, court documents, subpoenas, witness fees, etc., and ensure timely handling and filing.
• Answer telephone inquiries from the public, court personnel, hearings personnel, private counsel, agency personnel, and DOJ personnel regarding case-related inquiries, administrative procedures, and attorney assignment; answer questions and route accordingly.
• Act as liaison between client agencies and section personnel.
• Review, screen, and distribute incoming mail, using discretion on whether to reroute mail or process personally.
• Process section attorney's travel arrangements, reimbursement requests, CLE requests, and library requests.
• Independently review appropriate state, county, or federal rules of practice and procedure, including ORS and OAR, rules of courts, state regulations and accepted department standards to assure conformity, timeliness, and accuracy of projects.
• Assist in training clerical personnel as needed.
• Perform special projects as assigned by section attorneys and division supervisors; this may include assuming the responsibilities and duties of other support staff.

Working Conditions

Work schedule 8 am to 5 pm in an open office environment with noise from ringing telephones, walk-in traffic, and office equipment. Must be able to concurrently handle multiple tasks with limited supervision and work under pressure to meet deadlines with short notice. Must be able to maintain confidentiality and work well with a team and independently.

Required Experience

Two years of clerical/secretarial experience, which includes at least one year as a legal assistant or secretary for an attorney or judge, or performance of legal support duties (such as preparing legal documents, maintaining legal records, or researching legal information). Experience must include proficiency in word processing software. Work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.

Desired Skills, Experiences, and Attributes

• Experience with word processing software proficiency.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work duties.
• Experience preparing, proofreading and finalizing correspondence and pleadings.
• Experience managing calendars for attorneys or court officials.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and proceedings.
• Professional-level verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience finding and applying laws, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying laws and policies.
• Knowledge and understanding of state and federal court rules and procedures.
• Good problem-solving skills and information gathering techniques.

What’s In It For You

• Job satisfaction as part of a team whose mission is to serve Oregon's public and government agencies.
• Permanent, full-time employment in Salem, Oregon.
• Vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and special days off.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Pension and retirement programs.
• Support and representation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
• Opportunity to expand your professional skills.

For more information about our benefits, you can learn more here.

Application Process

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.

• Click Apply and complete the online application and all supplemental questions.
• Attach your resume.
• Attach a cover letter identifying your attributes that meet the desired and requested skills.

ALL APPLICANTS: You will only have one opportunity to upload the required resume and cover letter. If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions, or need assistance with the application process, contact doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov. Materials emailed will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.

CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Log in to Workday using your state-issued login and apply via the Jobs Hub Worklet on your home page. Using a private account disrupts the hiring process for internal candidates. Update your profile with your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job) before applying.

For additional information regarding working for the Department of Justice and application assistance, please click HERE.

Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court St NE
Salem OR, 97301

doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov

Phone: (503) 947-4328
Fax: (503) 373-0367