Senior Legal Assistant

Seattle Public Schools; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools is seeking a paralegal assistant to support the General Counsel and other attorneys in the office. The role blends traditional paralegal duties with Public Records Act responsibilities and requires in-person work at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.

This is the first level of a two-step career progression, with growth into a broader set of duties as the role advances.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Washington Public Records Act, FERPA, and related laws.
• Ability to review documents for responsiveness, privilege, confidentiality, and exemptions.
• Experience coordinating with outside counsel and staff on records requests.

Responsibilities

• Produces documents and provides litigation support.
• Assists with Public Records Act requests and staff outreach.
• Coordinates education records in response to FERPA requests.
• Drafts letters, documents, and pleadings; tracks court deadlines.
• Maintains special education matters log and supports investigations and complaints.
• Receives and screens inquiries and prepares materials for hearings and meetings.

Skills

Public Records Act knowledge

FERPA familiarity

Confidentiality

Communication with stakeholders

Document management

Education

Paralegal certificate preferred

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Legal research databases

Electronic filing systems

Job description

Provides paralegal assistance to the General Counsel and other attorneys in the office. Duties are divided between performing traditional paralegal duties and serving as a public records officer under the Washington Public Records Act.

This position is the first level of career progression of two paralegal positions. Progression to the second level requires a broad range of skills across the full range of job duties assigned. This is a full-time, in-person position. The primary work location for this role is the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.

70%

• Production of Documents& Litigation Support
  • Maintains current knowledge of Washington Public Records Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Court Rules, and applicable laws/case law.
  • Ensures the confidentiality and integrity of information.
• Public Records
  • Assists with searches and staff outreach related to Public Records Act requests.
  • Reviews documents for responsiveness, privilege, confidentiality, FERPA, and statutory exemptions.
• Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act Records
  • Assists in coordinating, gathering, and reviewing student education records in response to FERPA requests.
• Litigation Discovery & Investigations
  • Acts as lead staff person for obtaining documents related to discovery requests in consultation with, and at the direction of, outside legal counsel.
  • Drafts legal letters, documents, and pleadings; coordinates responses to interrogatories and requests for production; drafts objections; and monitors and adheres to court-ordered timelines.
  • Coordinates with outside counsel or investigators as necessary.
  • Coordinates communications, interviews, meetings, and document collection between District staff and outside counsel.
  • Drafts and issues litigation hold requests to District staff.
• Special Education Matters
  • Tracks and maintains a log of all special education legal matters and settlements.
  • Assists with responses to Special Education Community Complaints, OSPI investigations, and U.S. Department of Education complaints.
  • Compiles and organizes information, agendas, and other materials for meetings, including Special Education Legal Roundtable.

30%

• Paralegal/Legal Assistant
  • Serves as paralegal/legal assistant to the General Counsel and other attorneys.
  • Receives and screens telephone calls, visitors and correspondence. Responds to inquiries or refers them to various departments as appropriate.
  • Prepares materials for trials, arbitrations and personnel hearings.
  • Compiles and organizes information and materials for attorneys’ meetings.
  • Prepares litigation reports and arbitration summaries.
  • Coordinates claim and lawsuit settlement payments.
  • Processes law firm invoices as assigned.
  • Assists with drafting letters of restriction for District schools and programs.
  • Prepares documents for hearings and assists with issuing decision letters as needed.
  • Prioritizes and schedules matters requiring the attorney’s attention.
  • Takes minutes of meetings if necessary.
  • Communicates verbally and in writing with clients, the public, or stakeholders as necessary, to perform the essential job duties.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• May perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES:

Accountability Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost- effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences offailure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

Getting Results (Action Oriented) Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

Decision Quality & Problem Solving Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance

DISTRICT-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES:

Collaboration Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.

• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
• Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.

Getting Results (Action Oriented) Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

Decision Quality & Problem Solving Uses analysis, wisdom, experience and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.

• Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
• Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
• Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
• Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.

Integrity Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.

• Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
• Represents information and data accurately and completely.
• Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.

Accountability Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Investigative techniques.
• Use of legal research materials.
• District organization, policies and procedures.
• City, state and federal laws related to public school districts including, but not limited to, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Ability to electronically file legal pleadings in federal and state court and with state agencies and departments.
• Use of internet search techniques.
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing with District employees, outside counsel, and the public.
• Gathers and analyzes data and makes recommendations.
• Prioritizes and organizes work.
• Maintains effective working relationships with District staff and the public in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Maintains integrity and confidentiality of information.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Three (3) years of direct experience in areas assigned; a post-graduate degree in law (JD or LLB) can substitute for two (2) of the years; also requires substantive knowledge and expertise with Special Education Law; Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) in pre-law, business, or public administration or a related field that includes research and analysis; Paralegal/Legal Assistant Degree/Certificate preferred; equivalent work experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work will be considered.

DESIRED CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:

Washington State Driver's License.

CLEARANCES:

Criminal Justice fingerprint and background check