Legal Assistant I

The salary for this position is: $4,033 - $5,364 monthly

Thurston County Public Defense is currently recruiting for one (1) regular full-time Legal Assistant I as the department reception in the Administrative Unit. A Legal Assistant I provides assistance in explaining detailed regulations, procedures, and complex requirements within the legal or judicial system. This position supports the department and assists with inquiries from the public, law enforcement, or other agencies.

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

• Serves as the primary department reception. Explains detailed regulations, procedures, and complex requirements of the legal or judicial process. Determines the nature and urgency of requests, screens, and refers telephone calls and inquiries, and reads and routes incoming mail to the appropriate office or person.
• Distributes incoming faxes, voice messages and maintains the conference room calendar. May serve as back-up to other unit legal assistants preparing files for court calendars.
• Updates client information in the department's case management system. Serves as the department's surplus coordinator.
• Serves as the department's emergency site coordinator. Provides direct legal support to Defense Attorneys.
• Court calendar preparation.
• Processes requests of information, faxes, and other case related documentation.
• Receives, monitors, and processes case files and legal documents and maintains records.
• Reviews incoming documents and processes according to procedures. Files and records legal documents, obtains required signatures and authorizations, maintains case files, and records dates on which subsequent actions must occur. Verifies appropriate information is included on paperwork or in file to ensure accurate processing. Verifies the accuracy/completeness of legal documents identifying inconsistency with statutes and provides technical information for compliance.
• Enters and retrieves case information using the appropriate computer-based data system. Sets up and monitors case files to assure timely action or review. Reviews and inputs pertinent case information into database. Identifies appropriate RCWs, court rules and procedures before entering judgments. Tracks, updates, logs and monitors activities of cases. May prepare reports requiring the extraction of database information and provides information to affiliated agencies for program compliance. Provides and requests information to and from agencies and other jurisdictions requesting specific defendant information and case disposition. Tracks and monitors files as prescribed and closes, purges and archives files according to policies and procedures.
• Obtains and prepares case files for court sessions ensuring appropriate documentation is in the files and may be requested to attend and assist attorneys in court.
• Using a word processor, generates basic legal documents for court proceedings according to established formats, policies, and procedures. Prepares responses to legal correspondence either from dictation, oral instruction or independently.

WHO WE ARE:

Thurston County Public Defense Mission: "To Defend and Protect Our Clients' Constitutional Rights, One Person at a Time"

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 Webpage

WHAT 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 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:

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Associate's degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program; or, two (2) years of progressively responsible customer service experience in a court or legal office environment; 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 55 words per minute.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Katelyn Vena- Public_Defense@co.thurston.wa.us

This position is:

• In-person from 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, Monday- Friday
• Not represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Supplemental Questionnaire (Question 1 and 2)
• Applicant Disclosure Form (Pursuant to RCW Section 43.43.830) (Questions 3-8)

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.