Legal Assistant 3

Optional remote work! (WA State residency required upon hire.)

The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) is offering a challenging and rewarding opportunity for the right individual to make a difference through serving the State of Washington. Our people are our most valuable resource: energetic, innovative thinkers who care equally about producing quality work and developing a culture that is great for all our employees.

The BIIA is a medium-sized state agency under the administration of three full-time Board Members. It is independent from the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The BIIA hears appeals from decisions made by L&I in several areas. The three principal types of appeals are:

• Industrial insurance (workers' compensation).
• Safety citations under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).
• Employer Premiums (Tax Assessment and Classification).

The BIIA is a great place to work! You can read employee testimonials on our website at http://www.biia.wa.gov/Jobs.html.

Duties

Reporting to a Legal Assistant 4, provide judicial assistance to an Assistant Chief Judge, Industrial Appeals Judges, the Chief Legal Officer, and the three Board Members. Duties include:

• Typing, drafting, proofreading, and processing legal documents. This includes proper citation of Washington case law, Significant Board decisions, and the Uniform System of Citation.
• Monitoring agency "Decisions and Orders" by Review judges to ensure timely issuance of orders.
• Issuing legal documents (Responses to Petitions for Review, Orders Denying Petition for Review, etc.)
• Assisting in preparing training materials for new Review judges.
• Preparing annual reports.
• Tracking and maintaining accurate information in agency database.
• Responding to questions and inquiries from the public.

Salary

• $49,428 - $66,372/year

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Option 1: High school diploma or equivalent and four (4) years of experience in a legal environment in support of an attorney, administrative law judge(s), industrial insurance appeals judges(s), review judges(s) or equivalent.

Option 2: One year as a Legal Assistant 2 (formerly Legal Secretary 1) in WA State Government.

Option 3: A two-year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal Studies or related field and two (2) years of legal office experience.

Option 4: A bachelor's degree and two (2) years of legal office experience.

Job-Specific Competencies

• Exceptional proofreading, editing, and typing skills. Ability to proofread for accuracy and content.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prepare legal pleadings and correspondence.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to use litigation software and case management systems.
• Ability to assist customers regarding inquiries, complaints or problems.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize workload, and effectively manage time.
• Knowledge of the following: workers' compensation, basic legal research; legal terminology; local, state, and federal court rules and their application; court procedures; legal forms and documents and their processing; sources for checking legal citations; proper citation of case law, regulations, and statutes; current legal office practices, methods and procedures; law office communications; correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary; database/index systems, and discovery procedures.

BIIA Core Competencies

• Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions and can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little oversight.
• Adaptability to Changing Needs/Flexibility - Embraces changing business needs and adapts approach, goals, and methods to achieve success.
• Customer Focus - Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.
• Diversity and Inclusion - Recognizes the value of cultural, ethnic, gender and other individual differences. Understands differences in and responds appropriately to others.
• Effective Respectful Communications - In a respectful manner, conveys clear messages that are effective in communicating information and ideas with others.
• Ethics and Integrity - Earns trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through honesty, candor, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Relationship Building - Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of teamwork, cooperation, and mutual regard.
• Safety Focus - Adhere to all workplace safety laws, regulations, standards and practices.

Other Information

Benefits
This position includes medical, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, deferred compensation, flexible spending account, dependent care assistance, paid time off (sick leave, vacation leave, personal holiday, personal leave day), 11 paid holidays, and an Employee Assistance Program. Tuition Reimbursement is available for eligible employees subject to guidelines and funding. You can find more information about benefits at Benefits - careers.wa.gov.

Notes:

• The official duty station is the Olympia Office however, remote work is an option. The successful candidates must reside in Washington state upon hire.
• This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.
• The selection process may include performance tests (i.e., typing, proofreading, etc.).
• This recruitment may be used to fill any additional vacancies that occur within 60 days of this position being filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS: To be considered for this position, you must submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter addressing the qualifications for this position. (We will not accept a generic cover letter.)
• A current resume
• A list of at least three professional references

The cover letter and resume must be included using the Add Attachment(s) field (please do not use the text resume within the online application). **If you do not include all of the required information by the closing date, your application will not be considered.** If you need assistance, please contact the BIIA Human Resources Office (360) 753-9639.

The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam-era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-753-9639 or HROffice@biia.wa.gov.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022