Paralegal 1 (Non-Permanent) | Agriculture & Health Division | Olympia

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
The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a non-permanent, full-time, Paralegal 1 in the Agriculture & Health Division (expected duration is approximately through the end of February 2027). This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Paralegal 1 Salary Range (Range 51): $56,952 – $76,608/annually.

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.

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 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!

Duties and Essential Functions of a Paralegal 1 
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.

In this temporary position 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, client meetings
• Research legal issues and evaluate the facts of the cases
• Track status of cases from summons to hearing
• Draft legal notices
• Appellate briefing support

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

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.
 
 
About the Agriculture and Health Division
The Agriculture and Health Division is a team of 16 Assistant Attorneys General and 9 professional staff located at the AGO’s main Capitol Campus location in Olympia, WA. We have a wide range of backgrounds, value diversity, and work in a collegial, collaborative, and flexible environment.

Our work touches most aspects of Washingtonians’ lives by helping to protect and promote public health and our state’s economic, cultural, and environmental resources. Our primary client agencies are the Department of Health, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and we advise numerous related boards and commissions. We provide client advice and litigate cases in a wide array of areas with real world impacts, including environmental and public health; licensing and oversight of healthcare providers and facilities; disease prevention and control; affordable housing and housing development; homelessness prevention and response; broadband expansion; renewable energy, climate change, and environmental justice; community and economic development; historic and archaeological resource preservation; and animal, commodity, food, and plant safety.
 
 
About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General
The 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.  
 
 
Required Qualifications and Competencies
Combination of three 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

• Litigation Knowledge - Knowledge of court rules, statues, and timelines and an understanding of how to apply them to daily work.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Adapts easily to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities, using methods to achieve successful solutions.
• Critical Thinking - Uses and applies problem solving and decision-making skills to daily performance of the work assignments.
• Communication Effectiveness - Consistently complies with accepted rules of English grammar and composition, accurately translates information through written and verbal language, including email.
• Workload Management - Effectively handles and organizes multiple assignments, competing priorities, and urgent situations, while making sound decisions to produce accurate work products that are timely and thorough.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Case Management: Filing legal pleadings in various boards and court levels while reviewing assigned cases for next steps using critical thinking skills and collaboration with AAGs.

• Legal Document Management: Review legal documents for proper format and ensure court rules are followed.
  • Draft and prepare pleadings, discovery, and case information including case analysis, as needed.
  • Initiate correspondence and pleadings for attorneys' signatures.
  • Proofread, format, cite check, and finalize letters, memos, reports, and pleadings at attorney's request.
  • Compile exhibits and attachments, maintain service lists, and ensure that legal documents are prepared and processed to meet legal requirements and all filing deadlines.
• Court Rules: Maintain a working knowledge of the procedures, rules, and policies, for electronic and hard copy filings in administrative, state, federal, and appellate courts.

• Collaborative Environment: Work with positive mentors and supportive co-workers who encourage you to pursue growth opportunities while doing work that benefits and protects the people of Washington

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.

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.
  
Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2025 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 experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.