Paralegal I - Litigation Section (2)

King-County,-W; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office seeks a professional to support civil litigation matters, manage case calendars, and coordinate filings across state and federal courts. You will draft and proofread legal documents, maintain case management systems, and assist with depositions and witness interviews.

Applicants should have at least 2 years of civil litigation experience, strong organizational and communication skills, and a commitment to equity and public service.

Qualifications

• Civil litigation experience required (2 years minimum).
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal court rules and policies and procedures.
• Excellent spelling, grammar, proofreading, and organizational skills.
• Sharp attention to detail.
• Keyboarding proficiency and accuracy.
• Working knowledge of general office procedures, equipment and administration.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive), Adobe Pro, DocuSign, document management software, and internet search engines.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to receive and follow complex verbal and written instructions and accurately complete tasks with close attention to detail.
• Excellent time-management skills to effectively and accurately handle multiple tasks, often with short deadlines.
• Ability to use independent judgment, exercise initiative, anticipate needs, and respond appropriately.
• Skill in prioritization of work in order to meet court deadlines.
• Remain objective and properly handle private and confidential information.
• Demonstrated initiative and accountability in work product and service, and the ability to follow through on issues to completion.
• Must be dependable and willing to assist co-workers as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Successful experience working and functioning as a team member and independently.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service in communications with people of diverse backgrounds, including witnesses, clients, and court personnel in a tactful, diplomatic, patient, and professional manner.
• Ability to prioritize workload, work under pressure with tight timelines, and adapt to changes in workload demands.
• Ability to demonstrate timely, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Must be able/willing to accept supervision and receive feedback, coaching, and counseling.
• This position may occasionally requires moving or lifting heavy objects, such as boxes of books, papers, etc. that weigh 20-25 pounds.
• Ability to be an innovator, problem solver and compassionate advocate who will partner with our community to do justice.
• Effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Active participation in PAO equity work, attending equity trainings and discussions, support for the PAO’s Race, Equity and Social Justice policy and principles, work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement

Responsibilities

• Research people, property, case law, federal and state law, legislative history, and ordinances using multiple sources.
• Coordinate cases; update attorneys, clients and other parties on case status and explain programs and procedures.
• Meet deadlines and maintain court calendars and deadlines; track calendars.
• Draft, proofread, edit pleadings, memos, complaints, answers, briefs, motions, and other legal documents.
• Receive callers in person and by phone.
• Arrange for timely filing and service of pleadings in state and federal courts.
• Schedule and attend meetings, trainings, and provide staff coverage.
• Maintain and update the case management system.
• Coordinate depositions and witness interviews.
• Perform other duties; participate in PAO equity work.
• Participate in equity trainings and discussions; support PAO policies and principles.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Team collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Pro

DocuSign

Document management software

Job description

About the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

• We exercise the power given to us by the people with fairness and humility.
• We serve our diverse community, support victims and families, and hold individuals accountable.
• We develop innovative and collaborative solutions for King County and the State of Washington.

We are guided by our core values of Integrity, Compassion, Professionalism, and Leadership. Our office is comprised of six divisions that are further organized into specialized units: To learn more about the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO), please visit our website.

Our mission is to do Justice:

Who May Apply:

This position is open to all qualified applicants.

Work Location:

Columbia Tower, 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Seattle, Washington

Work Schedule:

This position works a 40-hour work week schedule, normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is eligible for King County’s generous benefits package. Employees assigned to this position enjoy a hybrid work schedule that allows telecommuting, with a minimum of 2-days in office per week, subject to business needs and a telecommuting agreement. If a successful candidate is new to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, they will be required to work in office three days a week for the first six months of employment.

Salary:

Range 49-- $37.97 (step one) - $48.13 (step ten) hourly*

* In addition to the benefits listed on the benefits tab, employees with less than 2 years of service will receive .25 per hour less than the hourly salary table due to a mandatory contribution toward the Teamsters Pension Trust that was voted by members of the collective bargaining agreement between our office and Teamsters Local No. 117. This contribution is made by the employee and after two years it is paid by the employer.

Union Membership:

Positions in this classification are represented by Teamsters Local No. 117.

Responsibilities:

• Use of multiple sources and technologies to research people, property, case law, federal law, state law, legislative history, and ordinances; request necessary information from opposing attorneys, witnesses, the Clerk’s office, and public agencies
• Administer the coordination of cases; update attorneys, clients and other parties on case status and explain various legal programs, policies, procedures, and consequences
• Meet multiple legal requirements of each case such as federal and state mandated deadlines and statutorily defined processes; record and track court calendar dates and deadlines; maintain calendaring systems
• Draft, proofread, edit, and respond to pleadings, memos, complaints, answers, briefs, motions, and other legal documents in proper legal format
• Receives callers in person and by phone
• Arranging for timely filing and service of pleadings and documents in Washington State courts and federal courts
• Schedule and attend meetings, trainings, and provide staff coverage
• Maintaining and updating the case management system
• Coordinating depositions and witness interviews
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Actively participate in PAO equity work, attending equity trainings and discussions

Qualifications:

• Civil litigation experience required (2 years minimum)
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal court rules and policies and procedures
• Excellent spelling, grammar, proofreading, and organizational skills
• Sharp attention to detail
• Keyboarding proficiency and accuracy
• Working knowledge of general office procedures, equipment and administration
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive), Adobe Pro, DocuSign, document management software, and internet search engines
• Strong communication skills and the ability to receive and follow complex verbal and written instructions and accurately complete tasks with close attention to detail
• Excellent time-management skills to effectively and accurately handle multiple tasks, often with short deadlines
• Ability to use independent judgment, exercise initiative, anticipate needs, and respond appropriately
• Skill in prioritization of work in order to meet court deadlines
• Remain objective and properly handle private and confidential information
• Demonstrated initiative and accountability in work product and service, and the ability to follow through on issues to completion
• Must be dependable and willing to assist co-workers as needed
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Successful experience working and functioning as a team member and independently
• Ability to provide excellent customer service in communications with people of diverse backgrounds, including witnesses, clients, and court personnel in a tactful, diplomatic, patient, and professional manner
• Ability to prioritize workload, work under pressure with tight timelines, and adapt to changes in workload demands
• Ability to demonstrate timely, reliable, and predictable attendance
• Must be able/willing to accept supervision and receive feedback, coaching, and counseling
• This position may occasionally requires moving or lifting heavy objects, such as boxes of books, papers, etc. that weigh 20-25 pounds
• Ability to be an innovator, problem solver and compassionate advocate who will partner with our community to do justice
• Effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds
• Active participation in PAO equity work, attending equity trainings and discussions, support for the PAO’s Race, Equity and Social Justice policy and principles, work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement

Special Requirements:

• Finalists must successfully submit to a criminal background check, reference check, and be fingerprinted.

Inclusive Statement:

The Prosecuting Attorney's Office is dedicated to making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Selection Process:

Materials will be reviewed for qualifications, and the most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a panel interview process. Current PAO employees who are represented by Teamsters Local No. 117 will receive priority consideration.

Contact Information:

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Karla Avila Vargas (She/Her) Human Resource Analyst [e-mail]