LEGAL SECRETARY
Legal Secretary sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's local-government civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It asks for 2 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Examination announcements for this title
An open competitive announcement for this title is accepting applications, per the Civil Service Commission's list read on October 13, 2026. An announcement is an examination, not a vacancy; the announcement itself lists the fee, the requirements and how to file.
| Title | Symbol | Jurisdiction | Closes | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal SecretaryLaw | M1163H | TrentonResidents of Trenton City | October 21, 2026 | Open | Announcement |
Promotional
A promotional announcement for this title is accepting applications as of October 13, 2026. A promotional examination produces its own eligible list and is open only to people who already hold permanent status in a qualifying title within the department named on the row, not across that employer generally; filing without eligibility means an ineligible determination and no refund of the fee.
| Title | Symbol | Employer and unit who may file | Closes | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEGAL SECRETARY$61,634 to $87,587 a yearOpen to any competitive title meeting the stated requirements | PM3971H | VINELANDLAW | October 21, 2026 | Open | Announcement |
Previously announced, and no longer listed by the Commission
The Commission removes an announcement once it has closed and republishes nothing, so this examination is no longer on any of its own lists. We keep what we have read, here covering 2026. It cannot be filed for now; a title announced once is often announced again, so this is the record of whether that has happened.
| Title | Symbol | Employer or unit | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal SecretaryOpen competitive | M0997H | Union City | September 21, 2026 |
Every row is CSC's own; see the full announcement calendar.
Salaries stated in examination announcements
One Civil Service Commission examination announcement has stated a salary for this title. Local pay is set by each employer under its own ordinance or contract, so this is one employer's figure for one position rather than a rate for the title.
| Employer | Salary as published | Basis | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| VinelandLaw | $61,634.00 ~ $87,587.00 | A year | October 2026 |
Each figure is quoted as the Civil Service Commission printed it in that employer's announcement on the date shown. It is evidence of what was advertised then, not a statement of what the position pays now, and an announcement does not say whether a post is full or part time. No average, range or comparison is given across employers, because each sets its own pay and nothing here establishes that two of these positions are alike. Where an employer has announced the title more than once for the same department, only its most recent figure is shown. How this data is sourced.
Where this title is used
Legal Secretary is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction, performs legal clerical work involved in preparing and processing legal papers such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas which require a specialized knowledge of legal documents, terminology, processes, and procedures; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Initiates and composes standardized legal forms needed for specific legal action such as briefs, motions, orders, and extradition papers for signature by appropriate person.
- Reviews legal documents for correct form and timeliness, annotating case files and status records to reflect receipt of such documents and due date for response or other actions required.
- Maintains docket calendars and tickler systems, coordinating court appearances of attorneys, staff, and others with the clerk of the court.
- Reminds attorneys and/or other staff members of court appearances and deadlines for submitting actions or documents.
- Notifies witnesses of court appearances and of changes resulting from settlements or postponements.
- Establishes, maintains, and closes out case files, annotating indices and status records, compiling workload and status reports, and locating and abstracting data from files and records.
- Proofreads legal documents for appropriate legal citations.
- Enters in docket book all information regarding criminal and other complaints such as initial plea dates, the plea entered, hearing dates, and final disposition of complaint.
- Prepares list of scheduled hearings for approval by superiors.
- Prepares and mails subpoenas to victims, witnesses, and police officers and others requesting their presence at a hearing and/or needed information.
- May transcribe statements provided by victims, witnesses, and/or defendants.
- Transcribes dictation of a complex legal nature either from recording equipment or by other means.
- Contacts attorneys and others to ascertain their availability for court appearance due to the need to reschedule cases because of their postponement or adjournment.
- May take and transcribe stenographic notes of conferences and hearings.
- Types correspondence and various forms.
- Maintains confidential case, follow up, and other essential legal records and files to assure that all pleadings are filed on a timely basis as prescribed by court rules, and that all court orders are complied with and that all letters are answered.
- Prepares forms for court liaison person setting forth all pertinent information needed for presentation of the case to the judge.
- Composes drafts of letters to be sent to clients, attorneys, or judges informing them of status of their cases, requesting information, or requesting papers to be filed and returned.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in the preparation and processing of legal documents such as subpoenas, writs, notice of motion, warrants, court orders, consent agreements, foreclosures, affidavits, and so forth.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of legal terminology, standard legal forms, procedures, and processes. Knowledge of the procedures for establishing and maintaining legal and other records and files. Knowledge of modern office methods, procedures, and equipment. Ability to locate and check legal citations and references and to proofread legal documents. Ability to assemble data for and complete standard legal forms. Ability to initiate form letters and other routine correspondence. Ability to maintain dockets. Ability to transcribe dictation from recording equipment, or by other means, with accuracy, speed, and neatness. Ability to maintain confidential, follow up, and other legal records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. Bilingual in Spanish and English. SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Successful completion of a clerical training program with a minimum of 700 classroom training hours or 30 semester credit hours in secretarial science from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the experience indicated above. Course work must include keyboarding skills, methods, and procedures; other courses may include, but are not limited to, office procedures, word processing, and business English. LC N/A05-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishLC N/A05- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 12/11/1995
Study guides for this exam
- Legal Secretary National Learning Corporation · $45.95
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.