Paralegal 2 Supervisor | Torts Division | Tumwater

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Hybrid telework options

Excellent benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Attorney General’s Office in Tumwater, Washington seeks a Paralegal 2 Supervisor in the Torts Division. This permanent, full-time position oversees 3–5 support staff and supports the Assistant Attorneys General in state litigation across multiple courts.

The role requires leadership and strong communication, with emphasis on adaptability, initiative, and organizational skills. The AGO offers comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Combination of four years of experience through: paralegal certification, two-year paralegal degree, or paralegal plus certification.
• OR one year experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service.
• *You may have gained applicable paraprofessional experience through previous Paralegal or Legal Assistant work.

Responsibilities

• Supervise 3–5 lower-level legal support staff on assigned team.
• Perform journey-level paralegal work in litigation of state matters in the Torts Division in Olympia.
• Assist Assistant Attorneys General with cases and coordination.
• Work across Washington state District, Superior, and Federal courts as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Adaptability

Initiative

Analysis

Interpersonal skills

Workload management

Education

Paralegal certification

Two-year paralegal degree

Paralegal plus certification

Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney

One year experience as a Paralegal 1

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 Supervisor in the Torts Division. This position is located in Tumwater, 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 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. Many cases are based on actions brought under theories of liability for state actions such as highway design, release of inmates, injuries on state property, medical malpractice, employment, childcare and custody, auto accidents, maritime injuries, false arrests and unreasonable force. Tort attorneys also provide legal and risk management advice to the Office of Financial Management and state agencies on tort matters.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Paralegal 2 Supervisor

This position supports the mission and values of the AGO by performing journey-level paralegal work in support of cases assigned to the Assistant Attorneys General in litigation of state matters in the Torts Division in Olympia. This position serves as a supervisor of 3-5 lower-level legal support staff for their assigned team. A successful candidate will have knowledge and skills in leadership and communication techniques.

This position regularly performs work within the following court venues: Washington State District and Superior Courts in all counties; and Federal Courts, specifically, USDC Western, USDC Eastern, and the 9th Circuit. At times, this position may also perform within other State and Federal venues.

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

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

• One year 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

Preferred Qualifications

The most competitive candidates will posses the following skills and abilities:

Supervisor experience is preferred but not required.

Adaptability and flexibility: Adapts easily to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities, using methods to achieve successful solutions.

Communication effectiveness: Convey clear, timely, persuasive messages, verbally or written, that impact the thoughts and actions of others; giving and receiving information; use appropriate language for the knowledge and understanding of audience or reader; maintain appropriate confidentiality; use tact and diplomacy in all interactions; use of written communication using adequate and accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling in written correspondence, including e-mail.

Initiative: Recognize situations that warrant initiative and move forward without hesitation, reasonably resolving issues, problems and situations. Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement, seeking out opportunities to work on a team as a means to develop experience and knowledge.

Analysis: Use data and information in a clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues, evaluate evidence, form accurate conclusions, and make appropriate decisions. Identify key facts in an array of data. Recognize when pertinent facts are incorrect, missing, or require supplementation or verification, and distinguish information that is not pertinent to a decision or solution.

Organization/Case Management: Collect, organize, store, maintain, and retrieve accurate records, documents and information and maintain case files to ensure smooth, efficient operation and knowledge of work product.

Research: Effectively identify, collect, organize and document research information in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessment, analysis and investigation. Document and communicate results of research in a way that it can be understood, interpreted, and acted upon by end-users.

Understanding and comprehension of legal terminology: Demonstrate an ability to recognize the specialized vocabulary and legal principles of the legal profession, and ability to apply, use and comprehend said technical terms and principles in reading, writing, producing, and analyzing legal documents.

Interpersonal skills: Build and maintain strong, courteous relationships with peers, managers and customers; provides assistance, information or other support to others to build or maintain relationships with them.

Workload management: Effectively handles and organizes multiple assignments and competing priorities and urgent situations, making sound decisions to produce accurate work product thoroughly and on time.

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.

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.

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.

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].