Paralegal 1 (with in-training from LA2), SHS, Attorney General’s Office - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

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 Salary

If you are a current AGO legal support professional looking for a career growth and development opportunity within a supportive, collaborative environment where you can continue contributing meaningfully to Washington State’s legal matters, we invite you to consider our 12-month in-training program from Legal Assistant 2 to Paralegal 1.

This full-time, permanent position includes a two-tier, in-training program. The selected candidate will start at the Legal Assistant 2 classification, promote to Legal Assistant 3, and promote again to Paralegal 1 upon successful completion of the in-training program curriculum. The position is based in Seattle, Washington with our Social and Health Services Division.

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. This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). 

Base Pay Ranges

Paralegal 1: Range 51: $55,836 - $75,108 (annual).

Legal Assistant 3: Range 46: $49,428 - $66,372 (annual).

Legal Assistant 2: Range 44: $47,100 - $63,252 (annual).

Additional Premium Pay Based on Position Requirements

The following types of premium pay will be applied when relevant:

• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay.
• Incumbents assigned to a position in King County will receive a 5% location pay.
• Group C Assignment Pay*
  • Legal Assistant 2s and Legal Assistant 3s assigned to work in King County will receive a 15% assignment pay.
  • Paralegal 1s assigned to work in King County will receive a 5% assignment pay.

*This is a limited premium and ends at the time of promotion into a different classification.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Promotional salaries at each stage will be based on Article 42.9 of the WFSE CBA for represented employees and the AGO Salary Determination Policy for non-represented employees.

In-Training Program Details

The AGO Professional Staff In-Training program is a formal on-the-job training program. The program enables the AGO to use defined training steps to train employees to work toward successfully performing the duties and responsibilities of the goal class.

In this job posting, we are considering internal AGO LA1 staff who hold permanent status as an LA1 only and are interested in learning on-the-job with the goal of moving into the Paralegal 1 role. You’ll gain the competencies and skills needed to successfully perform your duties while being supported by your supervisor, manager, and coworkers. Upon successful completion of your training and demonstrating knowledge of the position requirements, you will be promoted into the Paralegal 1 level.

Excellent Benefits

Washington 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 Social and Health Services Division – Seattle

The Social & Health Services Division provides legal support to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  Our division handles a variety of work including child abuse, neglect, and termination of parental rights proceedings; vulnerable adult protection and guardianship proceedings; foster care, child-care, and adult family home administrative proceedings; and appeals involving all of these cases.

This is fast-paced, high-volume litigation.  It requires excellent communication and time-management skills, as well as the ability to juggle competing priorities, think on your feet, and work effectively with a variety of people.  Experience with litigation case-preparation and a commitment to child advocacy are preferred.  This is a great opportunity to handle interesting and meaningful work in a supportive, team-oriented environment in beautiful downtown Seattle.

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

The work of the AGO touches the lives of every resident in Washington, providing excellent, independent, and ethical legal services to the state and protecting the rights of its people. 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 in the lives of Washingtonians in your community, the AGO is the place for you. Learn more about the AGO here.

Position Description and Job Duties

Our Paralegal 1 staff provide critical support to Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) in the litigation of state matters, preparing for trial, and applying knowledge of court rules related to legal practice, subject matter, and court filing procedures in civil and appellate matters. As a Paralegal 1, you may be entrusted to perform some of the following duties:

• Analyze facts
• Compose documents and pleadings
• Schedule and/or interview witnesses
• Research legal issues and evaluate the facts of the cases
• Coordinate the preparation for litigation
• Track status of cases from summons to trial
• Draft legal notices

Specific to the Seattle Social and Health Services Division, duties include, but are not limited to:

• Independently track and update status of attorney’s cases by obtaining due dates from court documents, or court rules and/or critical court dates and deadlines; advise attorney of upcoming commitments, deadlines and special items needing attention.
• Preparation of subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum compelling witnesses to appear at trials and hearings.
• Check legal citations, references and quotation information in briefs.
• Independently compose and prepare pleadings for trial or hearings per attorney direction.
• Examine documents to assure accuracy; ensure the proper and timely filing of legal pleadings in the appropriate courts; and serve documents on the various parties.
• Applies specialized knowledge of court rules related to legal practice subject matter and court filing procedures.
• Enter legal documents and case specific correspondence into the document and calendar tabs of the case management database.
• Serve as a primary critical events reader for assigned attorneys.
• Preparation of drug/alcohol, medical & mental health release of records paperwork, which may include review of discovery provided by client and/or opposing party and identify necessary information needed to obtain appropriate records.
• Preparation of witness and exhibit lists for trial; and other pleadings as needed.
• May draft petitions for termination of parental rights for review by an attorney.  
• Other duties as assigned.

If you are interested in furthering your legal support career within the AGO, this is the opportunity for you.

Qualifications for Entering at the Legal Assistant 2 Level with In-Training to Paralegal 1:

You must hold a permanent status as a Legal Assistant 1 in the AGO to be considered for this position.

Supplemental Information and 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:

• 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.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
• Please be sure to remove private information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, etc. 
• 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.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO and we are committed to building an anti-racist and equitable agency. It is our goal to identify, discuss, and challenge racial inequity in the workplace and the impact it has on our employees, and, within our authority, combat racism that impacts the people of the State of Washington. 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 a professional, inclusive, respectful environment.

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

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.