Legal Assistant Senior - Director's Office - CF236

Title: Legal Assistant Senior - Director's Office - CF236

State Role Title: General Administration Coordinator I

Hiring Range: $44,192 - $77,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Forensic Science

Location: Dept of Forensic Science

Agency Website: www.dfs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Forensic Science has experienced record growth and is currently in construction of a new state-of-the-art facility in Hanover County. Once completed, this Facility will house staff from the Central Laboratory, Director’s Office, Administrative Offices, and the Office of the Medical Examiner, currently located in Richmond. The transition is anticipated for First Quarter 2026.

The Department of Forensic Science (DFS) seeks a highly skilled, detail oriented Senior Legal Assistant to work in the Agency Director’s Office. This position provides critical legal support to the Department Counsel by performing a variety of analytical, coordinative, research, and administrative duties. Primarily, the Senior Legal Assistant will provide assistance with reviewing, maintaining, and tracking records related to case reviews conducted by the Department. Additional duties will include managing the responses to subpoenas duces tecum, Freedom of Information Act requests, and inmate inquiries; assisting Department Counsel in monitoring the Department’s compliance with court orders for evidence testing and transmission of blood samples; and overseeing Departmental compliance with expungement orders and record retention policies.

In support of the Department Counsel, the Senior Legal Assistant communicates regularly with forensic scientists at the Department’s four regional laboratories, as well as members of the legal and law enforcement communities. Occasional overnight travel is required, and the employee will provide their own transportation as required. This position may be eligible for telework opportunities one day a week after completing agency training and orientation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of and familiarity with the Virginia criminal court system, including terminology, orders, procedures, and case management systems
• Demonstrated experience analyzing and organizing complex legal and technical issues, prioritizing and handling multiple assignments, and dealing with representatives of the public, law enforcement and the legal community
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and understanding criminal justice system records to draw conclusions and inform decision making
• Proficiency in recording data and maintaining records, following written protocols and oral instructions, establishing work priorities, and independently performing routine duties with strong attention to detail
• Advanced level of experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint, with particular emphasis on Excel and mail merge functions) and Adobe Pro
• High level of proficiency in records searches using Lexis Public Records, Virginia’s online case information system, legal search engines, and/or other online public and commercial resources
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure within a tight deadline and adapt to changing conditions
• Valid driver’s license and/or other means of reliable transportation

Additional Considerations

• Paralegal and/or legal assistant certificate or training
• Considerable experience working in an administrative capacity in a lawyer’s office, preferably a prosecutor’s office, defense attorney’s office, clerk’s office or other agency handling criminal or public safety matters
• Knowledge of and experience with the Library of Virginia’s records management and/or schedule management system, Infolinx

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Department of Forensic Science is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is V3 Virginia Values Veterans certified. The Department strictly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, a