Legal Secretary • Nueces County, Texas

Position Summary: The Legal Secretary performs legal secretarial functions for Nueces County. This role follows established procedures, exercises judgment to determine which procedures to apply, and provides administrative and clerical support to attorneys and legal staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Screen walk-ins and telephone callers; assist directly or refer to the appropriate office or person.
• Answer telephones, greet visitors, and take messages.
• Prepare, type, and process various legal documents.
• Coordinate and schedule appointments for interviews with paralegals or attorneys.
• Gather information for the prosecution of protective orders or civil cases, including DFPS case discovery.
• Assist attorneys in drafting or reviewing legal documents related to county business.
• Coordinate court settings and maintain the legal calendar.
• Prepare files and other materials for attorney use.
• Use computers to process, retrieve, and disseminate information, including word processing letters, memoranda, and legal documents.
• E-file documents with the District or County Clerk.
• Respond to inquiries from law enforcement agencies, defense attorneys, and the public regarding case status.
• Maintain accurate case files, including opening new files with assigned numbers and dates.

Other Duties

• Maintain adequate inventory of office supplies.
• Train new employees in office procedures.
• Assist in locating witnesses.
• Arrange travel for attorneys.
• Maintain office statistics.
• Notarize affidavits for protective orders or other documents.
• Perform clerical duties such as filing, indexing, recording, copying, sorting and distributing mail, and providing notary services.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with courses in typing and computer skills.
• Two years of responsible clerical work experience.
• At least six months of legal secretarial experience with a governmental entity preferred.
• Equivalent experience and training may be considered for current Nueces County employees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal document preparation.
• Strong knowledge of legal terminology, documents, and procedures.
• Ability to type 45•60 words per minute depending on position requirements.
• Strong English grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to file numerically and alphabetically.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement, and the public.
• Bilingual ability highly desirable.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Valid Texas Driver’s License.
• May be required to obtain Notary Public Certification.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages.
• Ability to perform calculations for restitution costs, due dates, inventory, and statistical reports.

Reasoning Ability

• Apply common sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagram instructions.
• Handle problems involving multiple concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit and use hands to handle objects or controls.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, or hear.
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Work Environment

• Moderate noise levels typical of an office environment.
• Possible contact with angry or mentally unstable individuals in public areas.
• Occasional exposure to low radiation from computer use.

About Nueces County

Nueces County is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. This position offers the opportunity to work in the Texas public sector, supporting the legal and justice systems of our community.

Keywords: Legal Secretary, Legal Assistant, Nueces County, Texas Government Jobs, Public Sector Employment, Court Support, Legal Office Jobs Texas

To apply: Please submit your application and resume to JUDY.CARANZA2@NUECESCOUNTYTX.GOV.