Legal Assistant I / Bilingual Receptionist

Judicial Branch; North Carolina; On-site; USD 39,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Judicial Branch in North Carolina seeks a Legal Assistant I (S) for the Indigent Defense Services Division. The role supports front-desk duties, answer phones, greet visitors, and manage daily filing. Fluency in English and Spanish is preferred to assist a diverse client base.

This time-limited, grant-funded position ends June 30, 2027, with a salary range of $38,763 to $55,749. Ideal candidates have a high school diploma with administrative experience or a related associate degree, plus

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent and two years of administrative office experience; or an associate degree with one year of responsible office experience.
• Experience as a legal assistant or familiarity with court procedures is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Answer a multi-line telephone system and greet visitors and staff.
• Assist with daily filing and general office duties.
• Operate and use Microsoft Office products and copier equipment.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Telephone handling

Typing speed

Office communication

Education

High school diploma

Secretarial/Business Admin associate degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Agency Indigent Defense Services Division Public Defender 26 District Job Classification Title Legal Assistant I (S) Position Number 60008395 Grade JB11

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $38,763.00 - $55,749.00

This position is time-limited, grant funded, full time. Funding for this position will end on June 30, 2027. The Office of the Public Defender, Mecklenburg County is seeking a qualified individual to perform a variety of duties including, but not limited to, answering multi-line telephone, greeting and assisting visitors and staff, and daily filing. A successful candidate will be a highly motivated self-starter with strong oral and written communication skills. We are seeking someone who speaks English and Spanish fluently and enjoys a challenge while assisting persons over the telephone and in person.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Knowledge of: office practices and procedures; grammar and punctuation; commonly used rules, procedures and recurring assignments: examples include operate Microsoft Office products, Cisco Phone System, and copiers; legal terms and forms. office practices and procedures; legal terminology; grammar and punctuation; legal forms for orders, judgments, and other documents; commonly used rules, procedures, or methods to perform limited, recurring assignments such as operate computer, printer, switchboard, and copiers.

Skill in

Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; typing with accuracy and speed; and answering a multi-line telephone system.

Ability to

• screen communications based on content, handle independently or route to proper destination;
• type with accuracy and speed required by the hiring authority;
• use software available in the local office;
• take dictation and type from dictating equipment;
• spell accurately;
• learn specific rules and regulations relating to verifying, processing, and maintaining records and documents;
• use judgment in organizing and establishing document format;
• learn legal terminology, legal formats for orders, judgments;
• develop a general knowledge of the roles and mission of the office and its relationship to other judicial offices, give basis information and instructions regarding programs or office procedures in response to inquiries.

Minimum Education and Experience

High school graduation or equivalent and two years of administrative office experience; or completion of a one-year Secretarial Science or Business Administration associate degree program and one year of responsible office administrative experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Management prefers candidates with experience as a legal assistant with knowledge of court procedures; considerable experience with Microsoft Office products and Outlook is desired. Attach cover letter and résumé.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter

North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast.

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.