Legal Secretary

Initial Posting Date:

Application Deadline:

Agency:

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Position Type:

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Job Description:

The Oregon Public Defense Commission is seeking a highly organized and collaborative Legal Assistant to support our attorneys in the Criminal Appellate Section and contribute to the important work we do statewide. In this role, you will manage case files, track critical deadlines, navigate court systems, and provide essential office-wide support. We are looking for someone who is adaptable, detail-oriented, and committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and grow within a supportive team, we encourage you to apply today!

Position: Legal Assistant (Legal Secretary) Criminal Appellate Section

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
• This is a hybrid position

Location: Salem, OR

Salary Range: $4,186-$6,187

What’s in it for you 

You will be a part of an innovative and strategic group of professionals and enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package!   

• OPDC supports and encourages work/life balance and overall wellness and offers a generous benefits package including, employer-paid health insurance, vacation, and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, three paid personal days, flexible spending accounts, and an employer contribution retirement plan (PERS).   
• The posted salary range is the total possible range for the classification. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. The top candidate will be screened through a Pay Equity process that evaluates various factors. Please see the Pay Equity website for more information.   

Minimum Qualifications 

Two years of clerical/secretarial experience which included at least one year as a legal assistant or secretary for an attorney or judge or performance of legal support duties (such as preparing legal documents, maintaining legal records or researching legal information).
Experience must include proficiency in word processing software.

The Top Eight (8) Desired Attributes for this Role 

• ​Exceptional organization and file management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy: especially with deadlines and tracking.
• Ability to learn and navigate electronic court systems and databases.
• Reliability and flexibility in providing coverage and support across the office. Effective communication and teamwork, including the willingness to assist others.
• Professionalism and strong interpersonal skills for working with attorneys, clients, and coworkers.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to a respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free workplace.

What you will be doing 

The Legal Assistant in the Criminal Appellate Section supports multiple attorneys who provide appellate representation to clients primarily in criminal cases and parole cases by performing complex administrative clerical work including preparation of legal documents, calendaring, and records maintenance, and communications with parties and court staff.

Duties  

 Attorney Support:

The person in this role will provide comprehensive legal assistant support to assigned attorneys by maintaining organized case files, processing incoming documents, and reviewing trial court records and electronic case management systems. They will also monitor caseloads, calendar deadlines, and database reports to ensure timely and accurate case tracking. This role will also produce files and documents as requested by attorneys or management.

Office Support:

This position will provide cross-coverage and support for other legal assistants, including serving as “officer of the day,” covering for assistants on extended leave, and managing case transfers and intake processes. The Legal Assistant will coordinate key operational functions such as the rotating officer-of-the-day schedule and the oral argument docket. Additionally, they will assist with central reception duties as needed.

Ongoing:

The Legal Assistant will support coworkers, supervisors, and clients by participating collaboratively in office activities and helping identify and resolve issues constructively. They will foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment that values diversity and promotes a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.

Application Guidance

• Current State of Oregon Employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.    
• External applicants: View this application instructional video. A PDF is also available by clicking here.    

Application Requirements

• REQUIRED RESUME: Attach your most up-to-date Resume. Please ensure your Workday profile aligns with your submission.  
• REQUIRED COVER LETTER: As part of the application process, we are requesting that you submit a cover letter that clearly demonstrates how you meet the desired attributes for the Legal Assistant (Legal Secretary) position, listed in this job announcement.
• REFERENCES: Provide a list of three professional references, including their relationship with you and their contact information.

  **APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE RECRUITMENT**

Recruitment Timeline  

*These dates are approximate and may change. *    

Recruitment Closes: Monday, August 31, 2026 @ 11:59 PM

Recruiter Screening for Minimum Qualifications: On-going   

Hiring Manager Screening for Desired Attributes: On-going   

First-Round Interviews: Week of September 1, 2026

Additional Details

• This announcement is for one, full-time, Legal Assistant (Legal Secretary) position.

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
• Please save a copy of this job announcement, as it is not available for you to view after the announcement deadline.
• If you have questions about the announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, contact OPDC HR, OPDS.HR.Info@opds.state.or.us.
• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting. For more information, please go to the State website: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx    

Who we are. 

The Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC) is an agency governed by a 13-member commission appointed by the Governor, which serves as the governing body for Oregon’s public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. The legal services provided by OPDC represent an essential component of Oregon’s public safety system.  

OPDC’s mission is to ensure constitutionally competent and effective legal representation for people eligible for a public defender.  Its office includes the Executive, Appellate, Trial, Trial Development & Resources, and Administrative Services Divisions.  

OPDC negotiates contracts with trial level public defense providers and administers and distributes funds for representation and related services for cases during the biennium for criminal, juvenile, and civil commitment cases. The Agency provides compliance and oversight to the trial community providers through quality assurance practices, training, and education. Financial Services processes all expenses related to representation in public defense cases. The Appellate Division provides direct legal representation in the state appellate courts in criminal cases, juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases, and parole cases. Other services in the Agency include Data Collection and Analysis, General Counsel, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Internal Audit, and Policy Development.   

OPDC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is strongly committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce. Assistance will be provided in the recruitment, application, and selection process to applicants with disabilities who request such assistance.  Please call (971) 453-1736 as early as possible regarding any assistance you