What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal- Civil Division position at King County?
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (KCPAO) is looking for highly motivated individual to join our team as a Paralegal I. The Paralegal I will provide full clerical support for a group of Prosecuting Attorneys in the Litigation Section of the Civil Division and performs a vital role in the work of the Department. The Paralegal I will work closely with the Paralegal II to prepare lawsuits for litigation. This can include assisting with managing electronic discovery, trial preparation, and summarization of medical and billing records.
We value diversity in our team and embrace the cultural and demographic qualities of the King County community. We work to attract and retain a team that represents the range of backgrounds and perspectives that arise from differences of culture and circumstances. We value the ideas and brilliance that come from lived experience. Candidates with such experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
About the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Our mission is to do Justice:
- 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 value diversity and strive to hire a workforce that reflects the community that we serve. It is essential to our mission that we create and maintain an office that is diverse and inclusive. All PAO employees are expected to participate in PAO equity work and attend equity trainings and discussions. PAO employees are expected to comply with race, equity, and social justice principles, and to work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement.
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.
Union Membership: Positions in this classification are represented by Teamsters Local No. 117.
Application Process:
Interested individuals must complete the three application components:
1) Submit a resume and cover letter
2) Respond to the supplemental questions
3) Fully complete King County application. **
***Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state “see my resume” or are blank, are considered incomplete and will not be considered competitive.
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.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Karla Avila Vargas (She/Her)
Human Resource AnalystKvargas@kingcounty.gov
Special Requirements
Finalists must successfully submit to a criminal background check, reference check, and be fingerprinted.
* 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.
- 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
- Civil litigation experience.
- 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 occasionally requires moving or lifting heavy objects, such as boxes of books, papers, etc. that weigh 20-25 pounds.
- Commitment to working on equity and social justice.
- 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.
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.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Salary : $37 - $46
