Legal Assistant 1, Torts Division, Olympia

State of Washington; Washington; On-site; USD 39,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The Attorney General's Office is seeking a Legal Assistant 1 for the Torts Division in Tumwater, Washington. This full-time position involves providing administrative support, managing documents, and maintaining filing systems. The role offers competitive salary and benefits, including medical coverage and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision

Vacation and Sick Leave

11 Paid Holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Tuition Waiver

Qualifications

• Two years of clerical experience including one year in a legal environment.
• Expert data entry skills and high volume document processing.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and proofreads documents and correspondence.
• Monitors and maintains filing systems for investigations.
• Assists team by monitoring document production.

Skills

Detail Orientation

Data Entry

Education

High School diploma

Legal Secretary Studies

Job description

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team [e-mail]. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 orwww.washingtonrelay.com.

Position and Salary

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full timeLegal Assistant 1 in the Torts Division. This position is located in Tumwater, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Legal Assistant 1 (Range 38) salary range: $39,804 - $52,920
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.
• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

The AGO provides a workplace that is understanding of work-life balance and promotes advancement by offering a wide variety of professional development and growth opportunities.

Excellent benefits
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more. With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:

• Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
• A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
• Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ+, Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!

About the Torts Division:

The Torts Division defends tort claims and lawsuits against all state agencies, officers, and employees. The majority of these cases involve theories of state liability alleging negligence in state actions such as highway design, release of inmates, maintaining state property, providing medical care and social services , employment, child care and custody, vehicle and maritime operations, and law enforcement. With such a diverse practice our professional staff are continuously engaged in challenging and interesting work. Opportunities to learn and achieve professional growth through experience, mentorship and training are encouraged and supported.

The Torts Division strives to consistently exemplify AGO core values, i.e., to deliver high quality legal services; conduct ourselves with integrity, professionalism, civility, and transparency; and promote a collegial and diverse workplace that values, respects, and supports our employees.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Legal Assistant 1:

Under general supervision preforms routine administrative support using division standard forms, prepares and proofreads documents and correspondence to clients and claimants. Prepares and send New Claim Letters and Legal Hold Notices to appropriate clients. Calendars and tickles all important dates per Investigation Policies and Procedures. Monitors and dockets receipts of records and keeps appropriate investigation team members apprised of when they were received and where they can be located in the filing systems. Performs data entry into CMS database, including into tracking logs and hyperlinking to electronically stored records. Monitors and maintains complex electronic and manual internal filing systems for the investigations team per specifications, to include ascertaining document type and category, scanning and saving to correct electronic folder with appropriate naming convention, and filing into hard copy file. Prepares documents and case binders for investigative staff. Photocopies, scans, organizes, bates numbering in Adobe Pro, and assembles documents, evidence, investigative exhibits and other materials ensuring exact duplication of originals. Assists team by monitoring document production and requests for information. Opens, closes, and archives case files in accordance with AGO policies and a requirements, including promptly providing lift hold notices to clients. Maintain investigator car logs, schedule investigator cars for use by other Torts staff and schedule conference rooms as requested.

This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Qualifications:

Option 1: High School diploma or equivalent and two years of clerical experience including a minimum of one year of experience in a legal environment;

Option 2: Two years of legal office experience;

Option 3: A combination of three years of college education and/or relevant experience;

Option 4: A two year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal studies or related field of study.

Skill & Abilities:

Able to process a high volume of documents quickly.

Expert data entry skills.

Can perform with a high degree of detail orientation.

Join an agency whose work impacts the lives of every resident of Washington State.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• Andmuch more!

Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGOhere.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment.

One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's"Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
• A current resume detailing experience and education.

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” and “education” sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, canAGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team [e-mail]. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact the recruitment team [e-mail].

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or [e-mail]