What are the responsibilities and job description for the LEGAL ASSISTANT II position at County of Thurston?
JOB
The salary for this position is: $4,446 - $5,914 monthly.The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual who will take on the role of a Legal Assistant II in the Civil Division. In the Civil Division, this position will provide legal support to the Public Records Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and the Public Records Paralegal while contributing to the county's overall compliance with the Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW.Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Process, assign, and track public record requests in Thurston County's public records request system and assist other Thurston County offices and department staff.Coordinate with Thurston County offices and departments to acknowledge public records requests, seek clarification, search for and review responsive records, provide responsive records, prepare required redaction logs and letters, and when applicable to direct requestors to other resources and information.Prepare and organize record searches.Enter all relevant data of public records into the public records request tracking system.Correspond with requestors in accordance with Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public Records Act, and Thurston County's public records procedures.Coordinate communications with requestors, Thurston County offices and departments.Extract information from databases and compile reports.Research, compile and complete special project assignments as assigned.Prepare, file, and/or serve correspondence, legal briefs, pleadings, complaints, orders, court orders, affidavits, notices of appearance, motions, summonses and other legal documents.Prepare, organize, and maintain case records; review case files and court rules to assure timely action or review by attorney and initiate preparation of appropriate documents and pleadings.Review court files for complete information and consistency of court dates, and perform basic legal research to verify citations of statutes and cases or other related information. Research and investigate records of potential plaintiffs and/or defendants/respondents and recommends legal action to be taken.Receive and review incoming mail; compose responses to routine inquiries from attorneys, agencies and the public; compose answers to procedural correspondence for approval; route other correspondence to attorneys, calling attention to items needing immediate consideration.May utilize appropriate techniques to effectively obtain factual information. Analyze collected information. Communicate with County Offices and Department staff and neighboring county, city, state, and federal jurisdictions. Coordinate arrangements for depositions/interviews, hearings and meetings.Proficiently performs all duties of a Legal Assistant I and may assist attorneys by performing limited Paralegal I duties.To view the full job classification, click here: Legal Assistant II-Non UnionWORKING CONDITIONS: Work Environment – Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Minimal physical exertion is required.Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours.Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings.)Customer Interactions - Substantial contact with the public, departmental staff, and other County departments. May come into contact with individuals who are irate, argumentative and in highly emotional situations.WHO WE ARE: The Prosecuting Attorney's Office performs its constitutional and statutory duties by serving as a highly skilled and innovative legal team advocating for public safety, seeking justice in criminal cases for victims and those accused, representing the interests of children, and providing effective legal services to Thurston County government.We are committed to being proactive in our mission by partnering with local government and community organizations to prevent crime, increase public safety, and support for victims. We recognize that today's investments in education, mentoring, and other support services for children and families will yield significant returns in the form of less crime, reduced costs for criminal justice and social services, and an overall improvement in the quality of life for all Thurston County residents.Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion WebpageWHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES: Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness ProgramWhy you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. QUALIFICATIONS: Must have a high school diploma or GED.Associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program. Or, four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a legal-related field, which include two years in a Legal Assistant I level position; or any combination of education and relevant experience which demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.Must be able to type 60 words per minute.Current Washington State Driver's license, or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation, may be required.DESIRED SKILLS: Strong technical skill set; able to work effectively with various case management systems, Microsoft Office applications, i.e. Outlook, PowerPoint, and media players.Superior communication skills (written, oral, and listening) with the ability to work with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.Ability to work independently and be self-motivated, handling multiple competing priorities, sensitive situations and crisis situations and functioning well under time pressure.Must possess exceptional interpersonal skills to interact with difficult individuals.Familiar with correct and effective use of legal terminology and legal case management techniques. OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION: Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Karen Horowitz, Lead Deputy Prosecuting Attorney: (360) 786-5574 x6277 This position is: Not represented by a unionEligible for benefitsEligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)Items requested for consideration: ApplicationResumeLetter of InterestPlease note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERThurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.
The salary for this position is: $4,446 - $5,914 monthly.The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual who will take on the role of a Legal Assistant II in the Civil Division. In the Civil Division, this position will provide legal support to the Public Records Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and the Public Records Paralegal while contributing to the county's overall compliance with the Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW.Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Process, assign, and track public record requests in Thurston County's public records request system and assist other Thurston County offices and department staff.Coordinate with Thurston County offices and departments to acknowledge public records requests, seek clarification, search for and review responsive records, provide responsive records, prepare required redaction logs and letters, and when applicable to direct requestors to other resources and information.Prepare and organize record searches.Enter all relevant data of public records into the public records request tracking system.Correspond with requestors in accordance with Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public Records Act, and Thurston County's public records procedures.Coordinate communications with requestors, Thurston County offices and departments.Extract information from databases and compile reports.Research, compile and complete special project assignments as assigned.Prepare, file, and/or serve correspondence, legal briefs, pleadings, complaints, orders, court orders, affidavits, notices of appearance, motions, summonses and other legal documents.Prepare, organize, and maintain case records; review case files and court rules to assure timely action or review by attorney and initiate preparation of appropriate documents and pleadings.Review court files for complete information and consistency of court dates, and perform basic legal research to verify citations of statutes and cases or other related information. Research and investigate records of potential plaintiffs and/or defendants/respondents and recommends legal action to be taken.Receive and review incoming mail; compose responses to routine inquiries from attorneys, agencies and the public; compose answers to procedural correspondence for approval; route other correspondence to attorneys, calling attention to items needing immediate consideration.May utilize appropriate techniques to effectively obtain factual information. Analyze collected information. Communicate with County Offices and Department staff and neighboring county, city, state, and federal jurisdictions. Coordinate arrangements for depositions/interviews, hearings and meetings.Proficiently performs all duties of a Legal Assistant I and may assist attorneys by performing limited Paralegal I duties.To view the full job classification, click here: Legal Assistant II-Non UnionWORKING CONDITIONS: Work Environment – Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Minimal physical exertion is required.Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours.Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings.)Customer Interactions - Substantial contact with the public, departmental staff, and other County departments. May come into contact with individuals who are irate, argumentative and in highly emotional situations.WHO WE ARE: The Prosecuting Attorney's Office performs its constitutional and statutory duties by serving as a highly skilled and innovative legal team advocating for public safety, seeking justice in criminal cases for victims and those accused, representing the interests of children, and providing effective legal services to Thurston County government.We are committed to being proactive in our mission by partnering with local government and community organizations to prevent crime, increase public safety, and support for victims. We recognize that today's investments in education, mentoring, and other support services for children and families will yield significant returns in the form of less crime, reduced costs for criminal justice and social services, and an overall improvement in the quality of life for all Thurston County residents.Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion WebpageWHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES: Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness ProgramWhy you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. QUALIFICATIONS: Must have a high school diploma or GED.Associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program. Or, four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a legal-related field, which include two years in a Legal Assistant I level position; or any combination of education and relevant experience which demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.Must be able to type 60 words per minute.Current Washington State Driver's license, or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation, may be required.DESIRED SKILLS: Strong technical skill set; able to work effectively with various case management systems, Microsoft Office applications, i.e. Outlook, PowerPoint, and media players.Superior communication skills (written, oral, and listening) with the ability to work with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.Ability to work independently and be self-motivated, handling multiple competing priorities, sensitive situations and crisis situations and functioning well under time pressure.Must possess exceptional interpersonal skills to interact with difficult individuals.Familiar with correct and effective use of legal terminology and legal case management techniques. OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION: Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Karen Horowitz, Lead Deputy Prosecuting Attorney: (360) 786-5574 x6277 This position is: Not represented by a unionEligible for benefitsEligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)Items requested for consideration: ApplicationResumeLetter of InterestPlease note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERThurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.
Salary : $4,446 - $5,914
