Public Defense Paralegal

Summary

This recruitment is INTERNAL ONLY and open to current Department of Public Defense, Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division Career Service employees who have passed their initial probationary period.

King County's Department of Public Defense is looking to fill one (1) Career Service Public Defense Paralegal position in our Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD). Our Paralegals work in a fast-paced environment as part of a client-centered defense team advocating for the client's objectives. Paralegals work independently under general supervision and provide a variety of investigative and paraprofessional legal support functions under the legal and technical guidance of an attorney. The work involves considerable liaison with other agencies, jurisdictions, clients/victims/witnesses, and the public. The Paralegal is responsible for investigating facts and underlying issues and performing complex legal research.

WHY JOIN DPD?

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and inquests.

We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal legal system and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberty and to address systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

Administrative Support

• Performs a wide range of advanced administrative duties, both in the office and remotely, and word processing of complex and/or confidential materials, requiring independent judgment, initiative, and timeliness on assignments that are sensitive in nature in accordance with department procedures.

• Perform legal research on statutes and cases; gather facts, analyze data and review cases; conduct preliminary conflict of interest checks in cases assigned.

• Draft correspondence, pleadings, and motions.

• Prepare hearing exhibits; prepare case files and assemble trial binders.

• Process and serve legal documents/subpoenas.

• Obtain documents by subpoena and other investigation and discovery methods.

• Develop and maintain caseload and case assignment tracking systems and databases.

• Update case files in our computerized case-management system.

• Support attorney time record-keeping and assist in the submission of hours.

• Monitor progress of cases.

Customer Service and Communication

• Provide excellent customer service, both in the office and remotely.

• Demonstrates the ability to be onsite at the work locations at least three days a week in any of DPD's office locations (Seattle and Kent). Location assignments are changeable; work location may include more than one office location over the course of a week and may change over the course of employment.

• Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging a diverse population.

• Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPD's clients many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person.

• Reliably answers and returns calls, providing the DPD community authentic support and demonstrating a willingness to assist them.

• Serve as a liaison with clients, prosecutors, probation officers, bailiffs, judges, and criminal legal agencies.

The Department reserves the right to assign additional duties in support of DPD's mission.

• Detailed specifics of job duties are assigned by case type and division.*

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university or a certification from an accredited paralegal training institution and three years of related experience, or any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.

• Be at least 21 years of age.

• Have a valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner.

• Must be able to lift/move up to 20-pounds.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Guidelines for Criminal Defense adopted by the Washington State Bar Association.

• Role of the attorney-client relationship and the requirement to adhere to the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct.

• Civil and criminal law and terminology, court rules, and procedures.

• Legal research methods and practices.

• Interviewing techniques.

• General office procedures, equipment, and administration.

ABILITY TO:

• Provide excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing stress, trauma, and/or suffering from mental illness.

• Learn new and/or increasing complex duties.

• Adapt to ever changing work needs and requirements.

• Use office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, and Outlook), case management systems, and internet search engines.

• Provide support in the building of a strong attorney/client relationship.

• Ensure work performed conforms with prevailing professional standards and applicable statutes and county policy.

• Work in a fast-paced, and multifaceted environment with high attention to detail, and function well under pressure.

• Work both independently and as a team member.

• Handle multiple competing priorities, sensitive, and crisis situations.

• Interpret complex legal documents, instruments, regulations, and laws.

• Use advanced writing skills to draft pleadings, motions, and briefs.

The following qualifications are a plus:

• Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.

Supplemental Information

At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development.

Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.

• 100% premium paid healthcare plans

• Paid Orca Card allowing multiple transportation options to/from the office

• On-Site exercise facilities and bike storage

• Paid vacation time (in addition to paid holidays)

• Twelve paid holidays and Two Additional personal holidays

• Paid sick leave

• Paid parental leave

• Deferred compensation plan

• Employer Contributions to state pension plan

• Awesome Employee Giving Program

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?

This opportunity to join DPD is open to current Department of Public Defense, Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division Career Service employees who have passed their initial probationary period. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers.

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service Public Defense Paralegal position in our Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division.

To be considered for this role submit the following items:

• Completed King County application.

• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.

If you have questions, please contact:

Falisha Forgash, Senior Human Resource Analyst

fforgash@kingcounty.gov

206-263-2041

WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:

DPD employees enjoy a flexible, hybrid in-office/telecommute workplace structure. This role should expect to work both in the office and remotely, while being required to report to other locations, such as court or jail facilities. Onsite reporting requirements are determined by the departments operational needs and may be adjusted accordingly.

DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:

• Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle

• Jefferson Street Building, 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle

• Meeker Street Building, 420 West Harrison Street, Kent

Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. Placements may be made to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.

The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime.

DPD Policies

DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to applicants, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.

Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to applicants, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.

Union Membership

Positions in this classification are recognized by Service Employees International Union, Local 925.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation. For additional information, please review the detailed summary of benefits offered by King County.