Legal Office Assistant (Non-Permanent) - HQ Production Center, Olympia
State of Washington
FreshPosted Mar 3
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Posted: March 3, 2026 (2 days ago)
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Legal Assistant, Front Desk (TLT/SDA)
King County
DPD - Dept of Public Defense
Location
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Salary
$31 - $39.30
per hour
Type
Full-Time
More Legal jobs →Closes
March 17, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This temporary role involves managing the front desk in a public defense office, handling visitor greetings, phone calls, mail distribution, and basic administrative tasks while maintaining confidentiality and providing compassionate support to clients facing legal challenges.
It's ideal for someone organized, empathetic, and skilled in customer service who thrives in a fast-paced environment serving diverse, underserved communities.
The position requires full-time on-site work in Seattle for up to six months, with a focus on cultural sensitivity and independent judgment.
Key Requirements
- Strong customer service skills for in-person and phone interactions with diverse clients
- Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and compassion in a public defense setting
- Proficiency in advanced administrative duties, including word processing of confidential documents
- Independent judgment and initiative in applying office protocols and handling sensitive information
- On-site availability five days a week at the Dexter Horton Building in Seattle
- Clear and prompt oral and written communication skills
- Experience with logistical tasks like mail/package processing, supply inventory, and travel within King County
Full Job Description
This recruitment will be used to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill TLT or SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months. Assignments are anticipated to last for up to six (6) months but may have the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs.
WHY JOIN DPD?
The King County 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), and sex offender commitment proceedings.
As an organization we work with the community:
- To dismantle the systems that oppress our clients.
- To make the traditional systems that remain as restorative as possible.
- To advocate for pathways that will allow our clients to succeed.
We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal legal system and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberties 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.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:
Administrative Support:
Coordinates and oversees logistical front desk operations, to include performing a wide range of advanced administrative duties, such as in-person interactions, and the word processing of accurate, complex, and confidential documents both in electronic and written format.
Demonstrates independent judgment, initiative, and timeliness in handling sensitive information and tasks, in accordance with department procedures.Distribute incoming mail daily to designated recipients.
Process incoming packages promptly, ensuring timely delivery or notification.
Oversee Director's Office supply inventory, reporting low stock levels.
Communicates clearly and promptly in both oral/written form.
Travel to various locations within King County to stock or retrieve DPD property
Provide back up and perform various administrative tasks for office efficiency.
Customer Service and Communication:
- Provide excellent customer service, both in-person and via the phone, as the first line of contact with DPD clients and visitors.
- Demonstrates the ability to be onsite at least 5 days a week.
- Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging with a diverse population.
- Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates compassion for 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.
- Manages appointment and reliably responds to voicemail and email messages.
- Greets clients, visitors, and staff with professionalism and discretion ensuring their needs are promptly addressed and facilitating their connection with the relevant office staff.
- Provides clear and reassuring communication to DPD clients.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
- Foster a welcoming environment for individuals from diverse backgrounds
Other Functions:
- Organize office supplies.
- Back up for clothing requests.
- Assist with facilities requests for department.
- Assist with copier service requests for department.
- Assist with retrieval of client trial clothes at KCCF and MRJC.
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.*
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 1+ years of experience in a receptionist, administrative assistant, or customer service role. Prior work in a legal setting and criminal legal system is a plus.
- Ability to lift/move up to 20-pound boxes.
- Have a valid Washington State Driver's License or ability to travel to required destinations around King County.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Current office practices, methods, and procedures.
Spelling, grammar, and vocabulary skills.
Advanced office equipment and software programs.
ABILITY TO:
Communicate clearly, respectfully, and empathetically with clients from all walks of life, including those who may be in crisis, under stress, suffering from mental, or navigating complex legal related issues.
Work with diverse populations, including individuals from marginalized communities, non-native English speakers, and those impacted by the criminal legal system.
Perform de-escalation techniques to clients/visitors in distress via phone and in person.
Maintain a calm, courteous, and composed presence at all times, especially when handling sensitive or emotionally charged situations.
Use office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, and Outlook) document management, and Internet search engines.
Quickly assess client needs and provides accurate information or referrals, while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to legal protocols.
Manage difficult interactions with patience and professionalism, using active listening and de-escalation techniques when needed.
Ensure timely and accurate responses to inquiries, follows up on client needs, and supports a seamless front desk
Use Adobe Pro for manipulation of .pdf documents.
Apply procedures, policies, and guidelines.
Adapt to ever changing work needs and requirements.
Learn new and/or increasing complex duties.
Work in a fast-paced, and multifaceted environment with high attention to detail.
The following qualifications are a plus:
- Fluency in a foreign language.
- Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.
- Knowledge of various City, State and King County Court portals.
- Knowledge of legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws.
Additional 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.
This post 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.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
This opportunity to join DPD is open to all qualified applicants. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers.
To be considered for this role, submit the following documents:
- Completed King County application.
- A current/chronological resume.
- Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.
The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, the interview, references, and a personnel file review going back to the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check.
You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience and attach the required documents to your application.
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.
If you have questions, please contact our recruiter, Corey Spruill, at cspruill@kingcounty.gov, or 206-492-6402.
Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.
Pay Upon Special Duty PlacementCurrent 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.
Work Schedule and LocationThe Front Desk team in the Director's Office works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting.
The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for this position is the Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.
The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
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
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.
Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.
DPD PoliciesDPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, 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 employees, 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 MembershipPositions 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) EmployerNo 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 ApplyIf 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.