Paralegal 2, Education Division - Olympia, WA State Office of the Attorney General

Full Job Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.

Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Position and SalaryThe Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full-time Paralegal 2 in the EDU.

This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Paralegal 2 (Range 55) salary range: $61,644 - $82,872The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The AGO provides a workplace that is understanding of work-life balance and promotes advancement by offering a wide variety of professional development and growth opportunities.

Excellent benefitsWashington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance.

Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more.

With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:

• Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
• A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
• Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ+, Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!

About the Education Division

The Education Division assists the state’s education agencies in carrying out their missions by providing a full range of legal services.

Client agencies include the Evergreen State College, the three regional state universities, the 34 community and technical colleges around the state, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, and other boards and commissions with education governance duties.

Division attorneys provide advice on conflict resolution, business transactions and compliance with a web of state and federal laws as well as litigation services for defense of non-tort lawsuits, administrative proceedings, and agency enforcement actions, including actions on teacher licensing.

The Division also coordinates education work performed out of the Regional Services and Spokane Divisions.

The work of the Education Division is wide ranging and varied and there are ample opportunities for learning, challenges, and fun.

Our greatest assets are the people on the Education team and the knowledge and support that we share freely with one another.

If you are interested in being part of a supportive team that has a culture of learning and collaboration, then the Education Division of the Attorney General’s Office has the perfect opportunity for you.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Paralegal 2

This position supports the mission, vision, and values of the AGO by performing journey level paralegal work in support of cases assigned to Assistant Attorneys General in litigation of matters in the EDU division as well as administrative support of AAGs.

This position provides support to EDU AAGs located in Olympia and Seattle.

Work is performed in support of higher education clients may include Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University, Western Washington University, The Evergreen State College and 34 community and technical colleges and state higher education boards.

This also includes the K-12 system whose clients include, among others, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Draft, prepare, and assist attorneys with discovery and hearing preparation, third-party discovery processing, preparation and responses.

Independently prepare documents and pleadings, including but not limited to, draft responses and objections to interrogatories, requests for production, and subpoenas; conduct legal research, draft discovery requests; organize and prepare hearing notebooks, pleadings, and exhibits to be used at hearings.

Review discovery requests provided by opposing party and identify necessary information needed to obtain appropriate records.

Coordinate with clients and process and review documents provided by clients in response to requests for production, using available tools and platforms, to include reviewing documents for attorney client privileged communication, work product, and information that is statutorily protected from production.

Provide technical and legal support in every aspect of Education division cases and matters, including but not limited to, contract review, litigation holds, SAAG contract administration and other areas of legal advice.

Conduct legal and other technical research utilizing Westlaw, CBAs, library resources, state archives, documents provided by the clients, and other AGO approved electronic resources regarding case specific issues, case law, and legislative history.

Provide training and guidance (drafting and research) to assist Paralegal 1’s with honing both technical and soft skills to include conducting second reviews on all briefing, assistance with drafting, proofreading, checking case citations, legal terminology, legal research, as well as with navigating and understanding court rules.

Provide training and guidance (cases and litigation) to assist Paralegal 1’s with developing and honing litigation and litigation adjacent support.

Serves as primary Critical Event Reader to review all mail and identifies, calculates, and calendars critical events pursuant to AGO Policy and Procedures.

Serves as a back up to the primary Public Records Coordinator for the division, coordinating document collection and responses to public records requests.

This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Qualifications

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications.

We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens.

Combination of four years of experience* through:

• Paralegal certification
• Two-year paralegal degree
• Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification,

and/or

• Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney

OR

• One year experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service.

*You may have gained applicable paraprofessional experience through previous Paralegal or Legal Assistant work.

Examples of paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney:

• Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence
• Ensuring and verifying timely and proper service of legal documents
• Calculating, verifying, and calendaring critical events and other dates
• Managing case documents, files and exhibits
• Tracking and organizing discovery documents
• Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state.

We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor.

The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities.

This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• And much more!

Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here.

Commitment to Diversity Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO.

This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people.

Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment.

One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019.

Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

Application Instructions

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
• A current resume detailing experience and education.

Read The Following Information Completely:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” and “education” sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.
• The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

The AGO complies with employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9, and the selected candidate for these roles, on the first day of employment, must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the Unities States consistent with the requirements of form I-9.

In order to proceed in the consideration process at AGO, you will need to provide work authorization that would not require the AGO to sign a cooperative education agreement with a school.




Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment.

Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.

Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.