Legal Assistant - Southeast

State-of-Missour; Cape Girardeau (MO); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension plan

Generous leave & holidays

Health insurance eligibility

Total Compensation Calculator

Job summary

State of Missouri, Division of Legal Services, seeks a Legal Assistant in the Southeast Litigation Unit, Cape Girardeau, MO. The role supports multiple Litigation attorneys in juvenile, probate, family, and circuit court matters, along with administrative tasks and document drafting.

Minimum qualifications include an Associate’s degree or two years of admin support experience, detail orientation, and professional communication. Benefits include a defined pension plan and generous leave.

Qualifications

• An Associate’s degree; or two or more years’ experience providing administrative support.
• Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently.
• Ability to exhibit professionalism in written, oral, and in-person communications is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct administrative and legal support to multiple Litigation attorneys.
• Assist with research, filing legal documents, and case management.
• Draft legal instruments and correspondence under attorney guidance.

Skills

Administrative support

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Education

Associate’s degree

Job description

The Division of Legal Services (DLS) has an opening for a Legal Assistant within the Southeast Litigation Unit located in the Cape Girardeau, Missouri area.

Semi-monthly salary: The current rate for this position is $1,970.39. Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time-of-service pay).

Annual Salary: $47,289.36

Job Posting Number: 4104 8869126

Job Location: This position will be located at 272 South Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Why you’ll love this position:

Are you passionate about public service? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of Missouri children and families? Join our team of professionals providing legal support to attorneys that represent the Department of Social Services (DSS) in court, with special focus on permanency including reunification with a parent, guardianship, termination of parental rights/adoption, and other planned permanent living arrangements. At DLS, you’ll enjoy collaborating as part of a diverse team of attorneys and legal support staff located in offices all around the state.

What you’ll do:

This is a first-level legal support position responsible for directly supporting multiple Litigation attorneys who advise and represent the Department and its program divisions in various types of cases in juvenile, probate, family, and circuit court, and administrative hearings. The duties of this position include providing direct administrative and legal support to attorneys in the regional office. Under the guidance and direction of an attorney, a Legal Assistant may perform research, file legal documents, facilitate case management, and draft legal instruments and correspondence.

Minimum Qualifications:

An Associate’s degree; or two or more years’ experience providing administrative support. Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented, self‑motivated, and able to work independently. Ability to exhibit professionalism in written, oral, and in‑person communications is required. Prior experience working in a legal environment preferred but not required.

Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you have questions about this position, please contact: Heather Greable at [e-mail]. If you experience accessibility issues while applying, please contact Courtney Hall at [e-mail] or call 573-526-0416.

Applicants:

Open to all Qualified Candidates

Application Deadline:

September 17, 2026