Paralegal 2, Regional Services Division, Vancouver

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 Regional Services Division.

This position is located in Vancouver, 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 following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

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 Regional Services Division

Regional Services Division is made up of seven sections located in communities across Central Washington and Western Washington outside the Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia corridor.

The division provides legal services to a variety of state agencies and institutions of higher education in the counties surrounding each of the seven locations.

By sharing information and strategies across the division, the employees in Regional Services are able to provide excellent legal services through the efforts of employees who live in and play an active part in the communities they serve.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Paralegal 2Collects information on referral forms, dependency files, and Children, Youth and Families social workers to draft pleadings for parent rights termination cases.

Creates complete merge document data files from information collected and uses to draft summons and petitions.

Staffs issues that are found in information collection with assigned Assistant Attorneys General and collaborates to resolve issues and move matters to permanent resolutions.

Drafts and proofs memoranda and standard briefs and orders necessary for termination litigation, such as motions and orders for release of information from drug treatment and mental health records.

Obtains criminal history records and legal documents for trial and hearings on termination matters.

Drafts subpoenas and accompanying letters for witnesses and records custodians, schedules subpoenas to coincide with statutory time periods required for release of drug treatment and mental health records.

Preparation of discovery requests and responses for all attorneys processing termination matters, including assisting attorneys in investigation to gather relevant information to respond to interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.

Schedules hearing and trial dates with court personnel. Organize/prepare trial notebooks, including selecting relevant pleadings and exhibits to be used at trial.

Contacts, schedules and updates witnesses in termination matters.

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

The most successful candidate will have/be able to:

• Adaptable/Flexibility – Adapt easily to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities, utilizing methods to achieve successful solutions and results.
• Contributes to a positive work environment - Treats others with respect; treats others fairly and without prejudice or bias; approaches situations by giving people the benefit of the doubt, addresses concerns in a professional and respectful manner directly with the individual(s) involved or that person's supervisor; does not engage in, and discourages, office gossip; builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Database/Spreadsheet/Research Proficiency – Use spreadsheet software to write queries or create reports and forms; research and navigate easily through the internet for work related research.

Use computer hardware/software to produce timely and accurate work product that fully satisfies demands of an assignment.

• Initiative – Recognizes situations that warrant initiative and move forward without hesitation, reasonably resolving issues, problems or situations.
• Integrity – Earn trust, respect and confidence of coworkers and customers through honesty, forthrightness, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to build and maintain strong, courteous relationships with peers, managers, and customers; provide assistance, information, or other support to build and maintain relationships.
• Proofreading to assure accuracy – Reasons with comprehension drafted original or other written materials and effectively resolve problems or inaccuracies in punctuation, spelling or omitted language; ability to accurately discern indented intended context of main ideas or essential message of document content.
• Stress Tolerance – Effectively handle highly stressful or adverse situations, working calmly and accurately and helping to calm others. Use skill at handling and controlling emotions.
• Workload Management – Effectively handle and organize multiple assignments and competing priorities and urgent situations, making sound decisions to produce accurate work product thoroughly and on time.

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.

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.