Paralegal II

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position.

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values:

• Integrity

• Common Sense

• Innovation

• Accountability

Position Data:

Paralegal II-J23-U00-H

Regular

Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

Overview:

Pay Range: $32.40 - $41.10 per hour (Non-Bargaining Pay Plan C42, Step 1-13)

Hiring Range: $32.40 - $34.39 per hour (Non-Bargaining Pay Plan C42, Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: May 2, 2024

There is one Paralegal II opening with the Yakima County Department of Assigned Counsel. The Therapeutic Court Defense Services Paralegal will assist the DAC's Therapeutic Court (TC) attorneys and client participants throughout the relevant court processes. The position is designed to increase client participation to timely achieve therapeutic goals and expand the availability of the process to more participants. The paralegal will assist the attorneys and participants navigate through various TC issues and guideposts, including pre and post referral and entry into TC. Maintain case files and data related to client participants. Communicate with other TC stakeholders when relevant issues arise.

Benefits included in position:

• Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)

• Retirement Benefits

• Paid Vacation

• Paid Holidays

• Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is a Non Bargaining Unit Position

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities:

Essential Duties:

Prepare and assist attorneys and clients in Therapeutic Court with all relevant court processes. Assist the attorneys and participants with navigating through various Therapeutic Court issues and guideposts, including pre and post referral and entry into Therapeutic Court.

Meet with clients to determine client's needs and goals, convey court's requisites, complete referral paperwork for therapeutic court as well as communicate with various clinics, rehab centers, schools, etc. to coordinate what is required.

Drafts and adopts a plan with the client to achieve the ultimate goal of completion for a reduced charge or sentence.

Attends court routinely as required.

Maintain communication with Therapeutic Court participants. Prepare written and verbal communication documents, monitor responses between participants, courts and attorneys.

Drafts documents explaining procedures and court dates; clarifies legal terminology for client, other departments/ agencies or interested parties.

Articulate and assesses multidimensional ways to meet prerequisites of client to achieve success in current crisis or any issue that may arise during course that may hold back the client from current goal or next step.

Assist attorney and participants for Therapeutic Court referral and entry. Coordinates the scheduling of participant interviews with attorneys, and may interview participant. Records interviews, prepares summary descriptions of interviews and documents all communication and interactions. Arranges for transcription as needed.

Maintain case files and data related to client participants. Conveys and writes progress reports, e.g., achievements/failures, to attorneys. Updates client physical and electronic files with notes, reports, certificates, etc.

Responsible for training of Paralegal I and other assigned clerical staff in daily job duties. Assesses progress and makes recommendations to Manager.

Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Associate Degree or two year technical certificate in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, or a related field AND Four (4) years of legal clerical experience; OR the equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Required:

• Valid WA State Driver's license and proof of insurance, if requested.

• Successful completion of a criminal background investigation and general employment verification.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree in: Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Social Work or a related field and 2 years of relevant experience.

• Experience with JustWare, Odyssey, Box and other legal software.

Equipment Used: Computer/laptop, telephone, scanners, audio and video recording equipment, projection equipment, copier, passenger vehicle, cell phone, television, fax machine.

Working Conditions: This position is rated as Sedentary Work, Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Knowledge:

• Terminology, laws, rules & regulations governing courts and law enforcement;

• Project management, organizational management, practices & principles;

• Criminal law, Interviewing & Investigation techniques, rules of evidence, criminal court rules, file management & principles;

• Knowledge of local government organizations and functions;

• knowledge of laws and ordinances of the State and County relating to law enforcement arrests;

• Knowledge of functions of the judiciary and corrections field;

• Knowledge of interviewing techniques, methods, and procedures, including ability to recognize and document facts, ascertain factual discrepancies and employ appropriate action and follow through.

• Knowledge of legal office practices and procedures; statutory, administrative and case law; court procedures and legal processes; legal research methodology and resources;

• Knowledge of investigative techniques and customer service techniques.

Skills and abilities:

• Communication skills both verbal and written;

• Organizational skills and time management;

• Ability to formulate a multifaceted timeline;

• Computer skills including use of Outlook and teleconference programs (TEAMS, ZOOM)

• Ability to determine priorities and make critical decisions;

• Ability to make independent decisions based on research and analysis of situation;

• Ability to perform in depth research and analytical capabilities;

• Ability to identify needs, develop short and long-range plans and to evaluate the results;

• Skill in writing detailed reports for investigative and prosecution purposes;

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relations with law and justice personnel and city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies;

• Effective oral and written communication skills to include public speaking;

• Ability to taking and providing constructive criticism with investigative and prosecution teams and

• Skill in interviewing;

• Skill in problem solving and multitasking; communicating with wide range of people;

• Skill in preparing legal reports, documents, notices and descriptions;

• Skill in interviewing clients, negotiating settlements / agreements for participation in the TC program;

• Skill in presenting recommendations to others;

"AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER"

Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person's age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.