This entry-level position in the legal assistant series provides support to legal professionals managing a high volume of cases that require quick turnarounds. This section works closely together to ensure adequate support of their teammates in this fast-paced environment. The LOA will use their attention to detail and ability to pivot between emerging tasks to assist in opening cases, closing cases, and managing documents and case files. If you are looking for a supportive work environment to begin or continue your legal career, this may be the opportunity for you!
 
All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the position:
The Division of Legal Services (DLS) provides support to the agency to mitigate risks, comply with changing laws, and assist the agency in accomplishing its goals.
 
The Legal Office Assistant supports DLS within the Health Care Authority (HCA) by providing legal support services to HCA’s adjudicative proceeding processes. This position reports to the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) Legal Administrative Manager.
 
The Legal Office Assistant comes in contact with many forms of confidential information, including, but not limited to personnel information, investigations, lawsuits, public disclosure requests and management strategies under discussion. Additionally, this position will review legal notices to ensure timely processing and accurate data entry into tracking systems, prepare hearing files, perform records management, provide customer service to callers, and administrative support to the staff within OLA, including the staff attorneys and paralegals.
 
This position is eligible to telework but is required to report on-site 2-3 times per week to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA may choose, but is not required, to support out-of-state telework on a case-by-case basis.
Some of what you will do: 

• Demonstrates an understanding of administrative appeals processes.
• Receives, reads, and processes incoming electronic and paper mail, including pleadings, court orders and appellant legal documents to determine whether it is Public Employees (PEBB), School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB), or Medicaid related.
• Monitors division electronic mailboxes per agency and division protocols and policies.
• Processes and serves outgoing letters and legal documents, including but not limited to pleadings, notices, and orders, on appellants by email, Consolidated Mail Services, and/or electronic filing.
• Performs data entry functions and retrieves documents and information from legal databases.
• Archives appeals and hearing files.
• Receives, opens, and closes case files.
• Inputs case related information into the Joint Administrative Hearings Control System (JAHCS) and Barcode databases.
• Verifies Master Hearings Calendar, hearings staff calendars, and corresponding case management system to ensure that the hearing date, time, location, and person assigned are accurate.
• Returns voicemails received on the toll-free line. Provides customer service to callers by answering basic or routine questions or directs the caller to the appropriate resource or HCA department. Alerts appropriate Legal Assistant and/or Legal Administrative Manager to patterns or issues.

Required qualifications:
 
Qualifying candidates will satisfy one of the following criteria options:
 
Option 1:

• High School diploma or equivalent and 
• Two years of clerical experience including a minimum of six months of experience in a legal or professional office environment; e.g., a medical records, court clerk, bank, or accounting firm office

Option 2:

• One year of legal office experience

Option 3:

• A combination of two years of college education and/or relevant experience. College education must include completion of a degree or certificate.

Note: Candidates may be required to demonstrate skills in keyboarding, filing, proofreading, grammar, spelling and use of office equipment through agency specific skills testing.
Preferred qualifications:
 
Experience:

• Basic knowledge of legal office practices, methods, and procedures.
• Keyboarding.
• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Legal terminology.
• Use of standard office equipment. 
• Experience with common software programs used in a legal office for word processing, data tracking, and calendaring.

 Ability to: 

• Independently perform complex clerical tasks.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Exercise good judgment when initiating processes, actions, and alternatives within established procedures, policies, and local practice.
• Establish and maintain professional and respectful work relationships with co-workers, clients, and the general public.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Learn and perform assigned entry level legal technical tasks and routines.
• Maintain confidentiality of restricted information.
• Enter and retrieve data accurately.

 
How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume 

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter. 
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov. 

About HCA: 
Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
 
There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.
 
 What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA 
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby. 
• Tuition reimbursement
• And free parking! 

Notes:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.
 
HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission.Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov or 360.725.0945.
 
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.
 
  
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
 

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