Legal Secretary II Job at County of Monterey in Salinas

Overview

The County of Monterey is recruiting to fill vacancies in the Public Defender and District Attorney Offices for the Legal Secretary II position. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record demonstrating knowledge of procedures, terminology, and legal office work. They will also demonstrate the ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions, operate office equipment, work independently, and safeguard confidential materials.

The Public Defender's Office provides legal representation to indigent persons charged with crimes in Monterey County, ranging from misdemeanors to complex capital cases. The guiding principle is that each client is entitled to the best legally attainable outcome. The Office employs attorneys, investigators, and support staff who uphold high ethical standards, character, and professional courage.

The District Attorney's Office attends court and prosecutes local criminal cases. The District Attorney acts as a State Constitutional Officer when prosecuting crimes defined under State Law. The Office also provides legal advice to law enforcement agencies and offers training programs for personnel to increase the likelihood of successful prosecutions. Its mission is to promote justice, uphold the rights of victims with dignity and respect, and aggressively and fairly prosecute those who violate the law.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used county-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents may be promoted from the low level to the higher level of the career series, subject to meeting employment standards and promotion recommendations by the appointing authority.

Responsibilities

• May perform various support tasks for attorneys, including obtaining police reports from law enforcement agencies, requesting certified prior conviction packets, running criminal histories on defendants, victims, or witnesses, maintaining assignment lists and case status reports, and obtaining reference materials.
• Operate magnetic card or other word processing machines to prepare case histories, reports, briefs, specifications, and correspondence.
• Type correspondence, opinions, contracts, orders, motions, complaints, warrants, subpoenas, commitments, indictments, extraditions, briefs, and other legal documents in proper legal form.
• Notify appropriate personnel and file legal papers with the proper court; contact court departments as needed to record documents.
• Maintain municipal, superior, justice, and juvenile court calendars for attorney use.

• Insert and extract materials from subject matter files, classify and cross-reference by subject matter, and maintain electronic case files.
• Maintain files, logs, and indexes recording pleas, trial dispositions, and other case outcomes.
• Screen office and telephone callers, provide information within competency, and refer to appropriate staff or agencies when needed.
• Compile statistical data related to case management and workflow.
• Review and process misdemeanor and felony complaints, information, indictments, and search warrants.

To view the complete classification description, contact the County of Monterey for details on the Legal Secretary II role.

The Successful Candidate

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Working Knowledge: English grammar, spelling, written format, and punctuation; legal office work, procedures, and terminology; general legal forms and documents.

• Skill and Ability: Understand and follow complex oral and written instructions; operate office equipment (typewriter, Dictaphone, calculator, personal computers); work independently with minimal supervision; safeguard confidential materials; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Ability to speak, read, and write in English and Spanish.

Any combination of training, education, and/or experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required is qualifying. An example is:

Experience: Two years of clerical experience in a legal office or court.

Conditions of Employment

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License or have the ability to provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster or emergency.
• Successfully complete a background check, including DOJ fingerprinting.

Benefits

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please review the Unit J Benefits Summary sheet for details. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail.

Notes

• As a condition of employment, background review may include checks of past employment, driving record, and criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon identity verification and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on USCIS Form I-9.
• Temporary positions may have different pay and benefits eligibility.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply online at the Monterey County government jobs site. The posting will remain open until the stated deadline: October 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM (PST).

• Submit a completed County of Monterey Employment Application and Responses to Supplemental Questions.
• Resumes and other documents are not substitutes for required materials; all required materials will be competitively evaluated.

The selection process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. A complete application package will be evaluated to determine qualifications.

Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation

Monterey County is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace. The County seeks candidates who contribute to a diverse environment and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request accommodation, contact the Human Resources Analyst at (831) 755-5228 or email juarezc@countyofmonterey.gov.