Legal Secretary (Legal Assistant)

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Legal Secretary for the Ramsey County Attorney's Office. The role involves managing legal correspondence, preparing documents, and supporting various divisions within the office, including Pretrial Justice, Civil Commitment, and Youth Justice and Wellness.

Responsibilities

• Type and/or transcribe a variety of legal correspondence, memoranda and other technical materials (including correspondence, opinions, briefs, contracts, affidavits, motions, petitions, dismissals, complaints, warrants, orders, recorded interviews and subpoenas) from copy, rough draft or from other electronic disclosure
• Prepare various technical and legal documents from general instructions or by following standard procedures, to include responsibility for verifying the accuracy of legal citations
• Electronically filing documents with the courts and arranging legal process service to appropriate parties
• Proofread and edit work product for general phraseology and for proper legal form
• Photocopy image or copy and assemble legal documents; compose routine correspondence, including letters of inquiry and acknowledgment, and trial notebooks; and may provide information regarding court appearance dates
• Maintain files of correspondence and documents (e.g. filing, indexing, imaging)
• Contact other public agencies for information relevant to court cases or administrative proceedings, including but not limited to, certified documents, medical records, etc
• Notarize documents
• Record court hearings and related case information; image documents into the county attorney file management system; and index and categorize cases for future retrieval and reference
• Schedule court hearings, depositions and related case matters
• Complete statistical data forms and prepare reports
• Prepare the billing information for the accountant to produce invoices for materials provided to outside/defense counsel
• Request order for processing, printing and certified copies; and review and sign off on invoices
• Create and maintain a positive working environment; work effectively in teams with enthusiasm and initiative to support the vision and mission of the office

Skills

• An Associate's degree in legal secretarial studies, paralegal studies, criminal justice or a related field
• Strong experience with court procedures, including familiarity with scheduling hearings, preparing or reviewing court documents, and understanding courtroom operations
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, such as managing multiple inboxes, accessing various databases, and handling several case-related tasks simultaneously
• Proven capacity to work under tight deadlines, prioritize urgent requests, and shift quickly between tasks while maintaining accuracy and follow-through
• Ability to thrive in a high-volume environment, managing frequent case updates, multiple stakeholders, and rapid changes in priority
• Experience with adult court procedures, including knowledge of timelines, filing requirements, and courtroom expectations
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
• Highly detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy in documentation and communication
• Demonstrates strong responsiveness and follow-through when working with internal and external partners
• Works effectively in a collaborative setting, maintaining positive relationships with diverse partners
• Can manage fluctuating caseloads and adapt to changing work demands
• Experience with juvenile court procedures and practices, including familiarity with court scheduling, documents, timelines, and case flow
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, prioritize urgent matters, and adapt quickly to shifting demands
• Strong multi-tasking skills, including managing multiple cases, communications, and information sources simultaneously
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system is highly desirable, especially as it relates to youth justice, diversion programs, and community-based supports
• A background in a legal setting is preferred, such as experience supporting attorneys, working with legal documents, interacting with criminal justice partners, or handling information relevant to court cases

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
• Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
• MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
• VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
• Pre-tax Benefit Program
• Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
• Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
• Paid time off
• Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
• 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
• Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
• Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
• Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
• Retirement benefits
• Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
• New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
• Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
• Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
• Transit and parking
• Fully funded Metropass.
• Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
• Employee well-being
• Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
• Wellness programming
• Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
• Life Insurance and Disability leave
• County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
• Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
• Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
• Career development
• Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
• Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
• County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues

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