Paralegal 2 Supervisor | Consumer Protections Div - Public Counsel Unit | Internal applicants only

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Hybrid telework options

Wellness program

Infants in the Workplace Program

Employee Assistance Program

Affinity groups

Job summary

State of Washington seeks a Paralegal 2 in the Consumer Protection Division – Public Counsel Unit in Seattle. The role supports AAGs and regulatory analysts in litigation and policy dockets before the WUTC, coordinating case management and documentation.

The position offers competitive benefits and may include location and salary premiums; flexible schedules with potential hybrid options and opportunities for professional growth within the AGO.

Qualifications

• Combination of four years of experience through: Paralegal certification, Two-year paralegal degree, Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification.
• and/or Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney
• OR One year experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine legal support to PCU AAGs and regulatory analysts in litigation and policy dockets in front of the WUTC.
• Act as case manager for all cases of assigned AAG; organize and maintain litigation, policy, and compliance dockets.
• Identify and track case deadlines, status, documents and witnesses; use tracking logs and case management system.

Education

Paralegal certification

Two-year paralegal degree

Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification

Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney

One year experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service

Job description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at [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.

Position and Salary

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Paralegal 2 in the Consumer Protection Division – Public Counsel Unit. This position is located in Seattle, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Paralegal 2 Salary Range (55): $62,880 - $84,528 annually

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:

• Note: Paralegal 2s assigned to work within King County receive Group C Assignment Pay in addition to their base pay. The Group C pay percentage received at this classification is a limited premium and applies at the Paralegal 2 classification.
  • King County Paralegal 2s – 5% Group C Assignment Pay

• 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 Consumer Protection Division – Public Counsel Unit

As a Public Counsel Paralegal 2, you will join a collegial and collaborative unit within the AGO’s Consumer Protection Division and serve as an advocate for residential and small business customers of regulated public utility companies, including electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and water companies, as well as customers of regulated transportation companies. Your work in cases that set rates, establish and enforce service quality standards, review merger and acquisition petitions, and establish clean energy standards and your participation in policy‑focused practice in rulemakings before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) and the Legislature will have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of millions of Washingtonians.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Paralegal 2 Supervisor

In support of the Mission and Values of the Attorney General’s Office, Public Counsel Unit the primary purpose of this position is to provide routine legal support to the PCU AAGs and regulatory analysts in litigation and policy dockets in front of the WUTC.

Professional staff in the Public Counsel are valued members of litigation teams. Their input is critical to case management and strategy. The division is a collaborative environment where individuals’ contributions are equally valued. If you are offered this position, you can expect to be an active participant in case planning and provide valuable input when decisions are being made. The Public Counsel Unit also makes professional growth a priority. Professional staff are encouraged to take on more responsibility as their careers progress, and training, leadership, and professional development are all opportunities this position will provide.

If you enjoy helping people and being a part of a collaborative team environment, this position is for you! You will provide support to unit attorneys and analysts by acting as the case manager for all the cases of your assigned AAG. Organize and maintain litigation, policy, and compliance dockets. Identify and track case deadlines. Track case status, documents, and witnesses using tracking logs and case management system. Utilize document databases for tracking, analyzing, reviewing and coding documents. Prepare, review and summarize data requests. Compose filings, letters, and/or other legal documents in accordance with AGO policies and procedures, and WUTC statutes and regulations. Manage and track expert contracts and coordinate with experts to prepare testimony and exhibits. Participate in litigation team meetings. Identify, organize, and prepare exhibits and testimony for contested hearings.

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.

Required Qualifications

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens.

Combination of four years of experience* through:

• Paralegal certification
• Two-year paralegal degree
• Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification,

and/or

• Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney

OR

• Oneyear experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service.

*You may have gained applicable paraprofessional experience through previous Paralegal or Legal Assistant work.

Examples of paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney:

• Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence
• Ensuring and verifying timely and proper service of legal documents
• Calculating, verifying, and calendaring critical events and other dates
• Managing case documents, files and exhibits
• Tracking and organizing discovery documents
• Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy

The most successful candidate will have the following skills and abilities:

• Experience preparing filings for the Washington State Utilities Commission
• Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy
• Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence
• Calculating, verifying, and calendaring critical events and other dates

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

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)
• And much 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 AGO here.

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 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.
• The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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