Summary

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides robust legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and inquests. We work with the community to dismantle the systems that oppress our clients, to make the traditional systems that remain as restorative as possible, and to advocate for pathways that will allow our clients to succeed. We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal system and 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 at: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/public-defense.aspx

About the Position
The Legal Assistant performs a vital role in supporting the work of the department. Legal Assistants handle an array of technical legal office support tasks performed under general supervision, requiring an ability to exercise a moderate degree of independent judgment. Duties require a clear understanding and skill in applying office guidelines, legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws.

Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to the general public and may be used to fill full-time current and/or future career service, term-limited temporary, and/or special duty positions in any of the Department’s four divisions. DPD also intends to generate an eligibility pool for future vacancies in career service and temporary positions over the next six months.

Note: Special duty opportunities are open only to current King County career service employees who have completed their initial probation. Special duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment. Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement or Coalition Labor Agreement for their base assignment.

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.

Work Location
DPD employees enjoy a flexible, hybrid in-office/telecommute workplace structure, and this role should expect to work both remotely and, in the office. 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 can occur based on business need, and placements may be made to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.

Work Schedule
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 pay with approval from the supervisor.

Forms and Materials Required
1. An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment (or more to include relevant experience).
2. A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.

For more information, contact:
Falisha Forgash
Human Resource Analyst
fforgash@kingcounty.gov

Job Duties

DPD's Legal Assistant’s are responsible for accurate docketing and case assignment entry, which may include:

• 
  Inputting case assignments following case management system docketing work procedures. This may entail opening cases, inputting initial calendaring, inputting client letters, page-by-page discovery review for conflicts, updating case file, scanning and uploading discovery, updating credits, creating Notices of Appearance, creating and filing Notices of Withdrawal, E-filing & E-Serving documents, running Defendant Criminal History and Electronic Court Record, updating name cards, and transferring cases.
• Processing regular debits and credits daily into case management system.
• Requesting case credit and assignments from the Director's Office as needed.
• Opening and distributing cases to assigned lawyers.
• Reviewing case assignments with the attorney supervisor.
• Maintaining Master Court Calendar with supervisor and attorney supervisor.
• Verifying monthly reports as needed.
• Closing client case files and processing closed files daily.
• Providing front desk and telephone coverage as needed.
• Obtaining criminal history information from jails or prisons via telephone, email, or regular mail.
• Providing coverage for vacation and other leaves as needed or directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Well-qualified candidates for the Legal Assistant possess at least two years of increasingly responsible office or administrative support experience, preferably in a legal setting (or other complex setting, such as the medical field), or any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to satisfactorily perform the job duties listed above.

In addition, candidates will possess:

• Knowledge of general office policies, principles, and practices.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics.
• Demonstrated initiative and accountability in work products and service and the ability to follow-through on issues to completion. Must be dependable and willing to assist co-workers as needed.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, and Outlook), document management, and Internet search engines.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive matters.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to understand and execute verbal and written instructions.
• Keyboarding proficiency and accuracy.
• Successful experience working and functioning as a team member.
• Skill in performing repetitive tasks with high attention to detail.
• Skill in providing excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who, in the case of clients, may be experiencing stress and trauma due to contact with the criminal legal system.
• Skill in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including victims, witnesses, clients, and court personnel, in a tactful, diplomatic, patient, and professional manner, some of whom may be angry and/or difficult either in person or via telephone.
• Skill in prioritizing workload, working under pressure with tight timelines, and adapting to changes in workload demands.
• Regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• The ability to travel throughout King County in a timely manner.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with legal office administration.
• Familiarity with criminal legal system.
• Knowledge of legal procedures and court rules.
• Knowledge of Superior Court Management Information System (SCOMIS), Judicial Information System (JIS), and Electronic Case Records (ECR) preferred.
• Fluency in a foreign language is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift/move up to 20-pound boxes

ALSO DESIRED:

• Lived experience involving the criminal legal system

Supplemental Information

Special note regarding COVID-19
DPD is following Public Health and CDC guidance in regard to social distancing. Interviews for this position will be conducted remotely. Successful candidates may be required to telecommute and come into the office on a periodic basis; frequency will vary based on business and operational needs.

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.

Application Process
Interested individuals should submit a complete online King County application (all blanks must be filled out and may not direct the reader to reference an attached resume or other document. Answers that say "see resume" will be considered as incomplete), and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge and skills for the job.

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed and screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness.
Applicants may be required to demonstrate their qualifications at the time of the interview and/or complete a skills assessment. All materials will be evaluated for spelling, grammar, and punctuation usage. The most competitive candidates will be invited to interview.

Offer of employment is contingent on:
The successful completion of references and a conflicts check in keeping with DPD’s Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures.

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.