Public Defender Legal Assistant

North Carolina Courts; North Carolina; On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

North Carolina Courts, Orange County, seeks a Public Defender Legal Assistant to provide secretarial support to office attorneys and assist clients at the front window. Duties include answering calls, word processing, typing letters and forms, filing, and mail handling.

Knowledge of legal terminology and office procedures is required. The role requires strong communication, organization, and the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus one year of legal clerical experience.
• Spanish language fluency preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Answer and screen incoming calls and assist clients and the public at the front window.
• Word processing; typing letters and forms; filing documents.
• Open, screen, and distribute mail; and other duties as assigned.
• Provide general information and instructions regarding programs and office procedures.
• Answer a multi-line telephone system and route inquiries as appropriate.

Skills

Typing with accuracy and speed

Multiline telephone handling

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Public Defender Legal Assistant# State of North Carolina Careers## Public Defender Legal AssistantApply: Orange County, NC: Full time: Posted Yesterday: End Date: November 17, 2026 (13 days left to apply): JR-127793**Agency**Indigent Defense Services**Division**PUBLIC DEFENDER 18 DISTRICT**Job Classification Title**Public Defender Legal Assistant (S)**Position Number**60008452**Grade**30013121**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****Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences****SALARY RANGE: $39,731.00 - $65,273.00** The Office of the Public Defender, District 18 in Orange County, seeks a qualified individual to provide secretarial support for the office attorneys. Primary duties will include answering and screening incoming calls and assisting clients and the public at the front window of the office. Other duties include but are not limited to the following: assisting clients and attorneys as requested; word processing; typing letters and forms; filing documents; opening, screening, and distributing mail; and other duties as assigned. **Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:** **Knowledge of:** 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 and, based on content, handle independently or route to proper destination; spell accurately and use proper grammar; learn specific rules and regulations related to verifying, processing, and maintaining records and documents; use judgment in organizing and establishing document formats; develop a general knowledge of the role and mission of the office and its relationship to other judicial offices; and provide basic information and instructions regarding programs and office procedures. **Supplemental and Contact Information:****INSTRUCTIONS:** Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will **not** be accepted. Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings. It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications. **\\*NOTE\\*** Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application *before* submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted. *All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.*The North Carolina Judicial Branch participates in E-Verify, an internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from the US Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. Charmaine J. Leeks NC Administrative Office of the Courts Human Resources Division https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers **Minimum Education and Experience**Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.High school graduation, or equivalent, and one year of legal clerical experience. *Spanish language fluence preferred but not required*.**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:**Charmaine James Leeks**Email:**[e-mail]