Legal Secretary

Description

The Dougherty County Public Defender’s Office is hiring for a Legal Secretary. The purpose of this position is to assist the Probate Court Judge, District Attorney’s Office, Dougherty Circuit Public Defender’s Office and/or Court system by providing legal secretarial duties. Responsibilities may vary dependent upon assigned Department.

This class works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences

Essential Tasks

• Answers phones; responds to requests for information, research, defendant status, history and case disposition.
• Performs functions such as word processing, transcription, typing, data entry and information retrieval.
• Prepares assignment calendar and keeps status calendar of courtroom proceedings.
• Processes new case files; maintains filing system and records.
• Assists in the drafting and preparation of various legal documents such as warrants, citations, indictments, arraignments, pleadings with regard to litigation, subpoenas and other documents and correspondence as needed.
• Assists the attorney in the courtroom; coordinates retrieval of case reports from various agencies.
• May implement mailings and initiate communications to provide the County required venires of jurors; schedules jurors for daily trial needs and implements juror payroll for days of attendance.
• May communicate with citizens regarding problems with jury duty and resolve conflicts and problems with their schedules; communicates with employers regarding their employees’ jury service; may provide attendance verifications.
• May randomly select 10,000+ juror questionnaires yearly and update computer system; maintains an accurate record of the selected potential jurors.
• Compiles various legal and statistical reports.
• May certify and issue birth and death certificates.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualification

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent and specialized training equivalent of one year of college education.
• One (1) year of relative administrative experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

APPLICANTS MUST PASS A 35 WPM TYPING TEST BEFORE APPLICATION DEADLINE.

Supplemental Information

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment): Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• None

Special Certifications And Licenses:

• None

Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance: Dougherty County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses: May be required to work nights, weekends and holidays to meet the business needs of the County. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Essential Safety Functions: It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Supplemental Information:

Application Deadline: Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2026 through Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT MUST PASS A DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL SCREENING AND PASS BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION.

DOUGHERTY COUNTY HAS A NO SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE POLICY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE GEORGIA SMOKE FREE AIR ACT OF 2005.

DOUGHERTY COUNTY PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

E Q U A L O P P O R T U N I T Y E M P L O Y E R