PARALEGAL II

The salary for this position is: $5,147 - $6,847 monthly.

Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is looking for a highly motivated and qualified individual to take on the lead role of Paralegal II in the Civil Division . In the Civil Division, this position will provide high level legal support to the Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys. Responsibilities include maintaining litigation files, drafting pleadings, ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other specialized documents. Performs advanced legal research and program/case management involving a variety of federal, state, and administrative law cases.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs confidential and advanced legal support services for the Division Chief, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys and Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys. Provides technical advice on case or project procedures. Performs advanced legal research involving a variety of local, state, and federal jurisdictions and summarizes for attorney. May research real estate and property records.
• Drafts a wide variety of documents including legal notices, complaints, answers, motions, orders, memoranda, briefs, affidavits, discovery and other pleadings and court documents; correspondence, contracts, ordinances, resolutions, purchase and sale agreements, leases, licenses, easements, deeds, tax forms and other specialized legal documents. Files, records, and arranges for service of legal documents. May review and respond to public record requests. Responsible for claims administration.
• Assists in the development of litigation by collecting, organizing, and analyzing factual information and documents, and makes recommendations to attorney. Assists with preparation or reviews legal briefs for accuracy, content, and context, and recommends clarifications. May present documents for judge's signature. May attend and assist attorney during court, hearings, and/or settlement negotiations. Coordinates trial activities by managing witnesses, documents, exhibits, and arranging for interpreter services and courtroom aids.
• Assists in deposition preparation by performing witness research, interviewing potential witnesses, selects and organizes exhibits and documents, preparing and outlining questions, and summarizing deposition contents. Coordinates depositions and site visits.
• Prepares discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission and responses to discovery requests. Obtains records, including medical, financial, employment, departmental and other records as needed from third parties and County employees.
• Serves as a liaison with other agencies, jurisdictions and clients and may coordinate complex litigation involving multiple co-plaintiffs or co-defendants. Responds to inquiries from clients and witnesses involved in lawsuits.
• Organizes, prepares, and maintains litigation notebooks and indexing. Reviews legal documents and flags pertinent information to assist the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with litigation, during trial or other projects. Develops and maintains case and file management systems for litigation, researches materials and client advice files. Maintains computer files with a high level of accuracy, tracks and logs case information, and prepares statistical reports.
• Monitors cases for compliance with court rules, case schedules and rules of procedure in a variety of forums, including all levels of federal courts, state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, various state superior courts, district court, arbitrations, and state and local administrative adjudications.
• Responsible for office efficiencies by ensuring adequate office supplies and maintenance of general office equipment.
• Provides direction, assistance, and guidance to other staff and assists in training new paralegals and legal assistants. Performs lead work duties including coordinating and monitoring staff workload, assisting in the planning of work and setting daily priorities, and developing plans and training staff.
• Assists in managing office activities including responding to complaints and recommending solutions, being the first point of contact in resolving staff problems, and the frequent reporting on, and maintenance of, a positive working environment with respect to personnel problems, disciplinary matter, changes in assignment, etc. May make recommendations regarding hiring decisions, disciplinary issues, assessing work performance of staff, and providing input for evaluations to the supervisor. Devises and evaluates office procedures and implements changes subject to approval of supervisor.

WORKING 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.

HAT 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.
• 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 Program
  

Why 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:

• Associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program.
• Four (4) years' experience in a position equivalent to a Paralegal I level position.
• Must be able to type at least 60 words per minute.
Current Washington State Driver's License, or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation, may be required.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field, and/or experience in independent litigation case management and research.
• Correct and effective use of legal terminology, forms, policies and techniques; court process, procedures, functions, and levels; legal case management techniques; supervisory/lead work principles and techniques; appropriate business and legal grammar; business arithmetic; and operation of general office equipment such as copiers, faxes, telephones, personal computers.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer with applicable software and a typing speed of 65 wpm to successfully perform essential job functions of position, including word processing of legal documents, spreadsheets, presentations, database management, with few errors; effectively reason and communicate orally and in writing; compose clear written explanations of legal procedures.
• Ability to independently prioritize and organize a high volume workload for multiple attorneys with minimal supervision under general guidelines; appear for scheduled work and complete assigned tasks under pressure within a minimum period of time; and accurately maintain several filing systems concurrently. Ability to understand and execute varied oral and written instructions and use good judgment in handling operational requirements for which guidelines are limited or unavailable.
• Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, forms, policies and procedures; general office practices and procedures; technical and specialized functions, policies and procedures of the work unit, including filing systems and data recording methods; standard formats for legal and business correspondence, court orders and jury instructions; business English, spelling, punctuation, diction and grammar; and commonly used office machines and equipment, including various personal computer applications and software programs.
Ability to exercise tact and mature judgment in all professional contacts; compose legal correspondence and statistical information and prepare reports; understand and render clear explanation of legal procedures and policies; understand and execute complex oral and written instructions; apply extensive guidelines to a variety of work situations; maintain or supervise the keeping of complex records; interview defendants, candidates, witnesses and victims; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials, and the general public; and maintain a neat personal appearance and professional demeanor toward the public and fellow employees.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Karen Horowitz, Lead Attorney for Civil; Contact at 360-786-5540 x6277

This position is:

• Not represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Items requested for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
Letter of Interest

Please 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 EMPLOYER

Thurston 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.