Family Support Legal Assistant - Open To Current County Employees Only

About the Office

Snohomish County is in northwest Washington State between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.  Just 15 miles north of Seattle, the county is rich in scenery with abundant opportunities for outdoor activities and has a thriving economy.  It is a great place to live, work, raise a family, and play. https://snohomishcountywa.gov/

The Family Support Division of the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney's office represents the State of Washington in the Judicial establishment of paternity and child support, enforcement of child support orders, modification of existing child support orders, and representation of state interest in private dissolution, parentage and nonparental custody actions when tax dollars have been expended to support a child.

Snohomish County offers a generous total compensation package. For example, total compensation for a full time first year legal assistant is $92,220.00. This includes a gross annual salary of $62,518.00 and annual benefits with a current approximate value of $29,702.00. These benefits consist of medical, dental, vision, FICA, Medicare, Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave, PERS (pension), disability insurance, and a limited employer-matching contribution for deferred compensation plan. This position may qualify for school or federal student loan forgiveness programs.

In addition to these benefits, first-year employees receive 96 hours of annual paid sick leave, 96 hours of annual paid vacation leave, 16 additional hours of annual floating holiday leave, and 11 paid holidays.

BASIC FUNCTION

To provide basic legal and administrative assistance.

SELECTION PROCESS:

• Applications received

• Review for minimum qualifications

• SME Review of Supplemental Questions

• Interviews of most qualified applicants

• Second Interviews may be given at management's discretion

• Offer

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Applicants are required to answer all of the supplemental questions. Please answer the supplemental questions in detail. They are scored based on the depth and range of experience you have for each activity/function.

COVER LETTER AND RESUME

Please do not attach a cover letter and resume to your application.

SALARY RANGE

The salary range listed in this positing non-negotiable. The successful applicant will be unable to negotiate for higher than the maximum salary in the pay range.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Prepares, types and processes legal documents and correspondence; drafts legal pleadings and discovery documents which may involve researching and gathering information; processes documents to meet legal requirements and deadlines of numerous courts; files documents with clerks of numerous state, federal, and appellate courts, commissions and boards.

• Sets up and maintains legal files and filing systems; files and retrieves materials as necessary; professionally communicates with clients, opposing counsel, court systems staff, and others.

• Schedules appointments, meetings, conference rooms and makes travel arrangements as necessary; secures or schedules trial and hearing dates.

• Organizes, analyzes reviews, tracks and keeps a complete record of cases; creates chronologies, abstracts, statistical charts and summaries; requests and obtains additional records based on document review.

• Assists attorneys in preparation and coordination of cases, timesheets, and special projects and/or at hearings or trial as directed.

• Interviews parties to the case, witnesses, and others; takes notes at interviews; may testify in court about notes.

• Creates and organizes exhibits and trial/hearing notebooks; communicates with and prepares witnesses for deposition or trial; assists attorney at hearings or trial.

• Conducts computer and manual legal research as directed.

• Determines and prepares a variety of case orders which involve researching and gathering information; prepares financial calculations; determines appropriate documents and notes on calendars of numerous courts, commissions and boards.

• Tracks and documents case procedures and actions in file and in computer system.

• Trains and gives direction to staff on policies and procedures as directed; may act as lead.

• Tracks and performs investigative duties to locate parties and/or witnesses,   background history, and/or assets as assigned, using manual and computerized resources.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

• Collects and compiles data; prepares various reports and timesheets as necessary.

• May perform all the duties of subordinate level employees.

• Performs related duties as required.

Completion of an accredited legal secretary, legal assistant or paralegal program; AND one (1) year of professional legal experience; OR, two (2) years of legal secretary or legal assistant experience; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Legal training by an accredited vocational school or college will not be counted towards the required legal experience. Must pass all job related tests.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Typing of sixty (60) wpm required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• legal terminology and legal document formats
• rules of civil and family law procedure
• court rules, procedures, laws and regulations for numerous state, federal, appellate courts, commissions and boards
• standard office practices and procedures
• proper English, spelling, grammar, punctuation and word usage
• basic knowledge of legal resources and records storage procedures
• legal research, methods and sources
• legal writing techniques
• basic supervision

Ability to:

• accurately and timely manage a high volume of work
• use resources and accurately prepare and process all types of legal documents to meet legal requirements and deadlines
• accurately use word processing equipment and systems
• establish and maintain effective and professional work relationships with superiors, peers, associates, subordinates, clients and the general public
• maintain accurate, organized and complete case records and required reports
• maintain a positive contact with clients and observe a high level of confidentiality, good discretion and judgment
• communicate effectively and courteously, both orally and in writing;
• work independently and calmly under pressure
• meet deadlines and cope with interruptions
• read, interpret and apply procedures, laws, rules, regulations and guidelines for numerous courts, commissions and boards
• analyze and synthesize data for reports and exhibits
• organize and perform multiple tasks to meet multiple concurrent deadlines
• maintains all ethical and professional standards of the Office and County
• observe strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained in course of employment
• produce work product that meets professional standards of quality, neatness, accuracy, and promptness
• interact positively with difficult or hostile people

SUPERVISION

Employees receive supervision from a supervisor as assigned. The supervisor establishes objective, priorities and deadlines.  Employees plan and carry out successive steps and resolve problems in accordance with instructions, policies and accepted practices. Employees are responsible for the accuracy of the work produced by their subordinates. Work is evaluated through conferences, periodic reviews and written evaluations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work is performed in an office environment.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.

EEO policy and ADA notice