LEGAL ASSISTANT

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Three years' experience providing legal administrative or paralegal support with progressively responsible experience is required. 
• Completion of a legal secretarial course offered by a community college or business school (45 quarter or semester credit hours with at least ten (10) hours in legal coursework) may be substituted for one year of the required experience. 

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OR QUALIFICATIONS:

• Paralegal or Legal Assistant certification preferred 

Criminal Conviction Standards:

• The successful incumbent will or may have access to a secured/confidential facility or computer system(s). As a result, Kitsap County will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which includes fingerprinting. 
  1. Please review the following list of disqualifying crimes and negative actions to determine if you meet our standard for this position: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ffa/disqualifying-list-crimes-and-negative-actions

This position requires a security clearance. Prior to employment, a thorough background check through Law Enforcement Agencies and previous employers will be conducted. Kitsap County reserves the right to independently determine applicant's prior criminal conviction record.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Kitsap County provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Requires exertion of force of 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds frequently, lift/carry/move objects, files/documents and other case material.  May be required to lift/transport file boxes weighing up to 50 pounds, in which case assistance is available.
• Reaching above and/or below shoulder.
• Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time.
• Vision sufficient to read source materials and computer screen data.
• Work is performed primarily in an office environment.
• May have exposure to violent or hostile individuals

• Perform complex administrative tasks. Prepare, organize, assemble and maintain case files.
• Review local rules, and State and Federal mandatory timelines to assure timely action or review by attorney, and initiate preparation of appropriate documents and pleadings at each stage of case progress.
• Provide assistance and serve as a liaison to witnesses, county clients, law enforcement, victims and experts as each respective case is processed through the justice system.
• Interview and assess witness and client needs, educate on court procedures, answer questions, coordinate testimony for hearings/trials, coordinate the scheduling of depositions, hearings, and appointments between attorneys, witnesses, and other law offices, and provide notification of depositions as instructed.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, legal pleadings, subpoenas and notices of appearance, motions, affidavits, briefs and other material with high standards of accuracy.
• Serve documents or arrange process service.
• Respond to inquiries regarding status of pending cases, routine inquiries from attorneys, agencies and the parties involved.
• Provide assistance to Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys or Public Defenders.

• Who May Apply: This position is open to the general public.  Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms.  The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.
• This position is classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 1308 and the Kitsap County Personnel Manual (https://www.kitsapgov.com/hr/Pages/Personnel-Manual-2019.aspx) Membership in the union is optional. Internal applicants should be aware that a change in union status or bargaining unit may impact your benefits and accruals.   Please contact Human Resources if you have questions.
• Kitsap County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office. 
• This recruitment is being used to fill an existing open position and may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.

Salary : $60,091 - $76,898