Paralegal I/ Family Advocate (Internal Applicants Only)

Supervisor: Elizabeth Mazich
  
Salary: Range 49--$36.59 (step one) - $46.39 (step ten)  
  
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, this position requires rotating hours of 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. 
  
Work Location: In-person/telecommuting hybrid--Ninth and Jefferson Building, Harborview Medical Center, and Civil Division offices located in Columbia Tower. 

• Support, assist and inform family members throughout the ITA proceedings:  Provide earliest contact and crisis intervention, be available to respond to questions or concerns and explain the ITA process.
• Assist with addressing emotional and physical needs to reduce the impacts of trauma and victimization.
• Deploy advocacy skills: Crisis intervention, case management and de-escalation techniques; development of coordinated safety plans with family members and vulnerable witnesses as needed.
• Inform and refer family members and vulnerable witnesses in filing for civil protection orders and/or extreme risk protection orders (ERPO) as needed.  Communicate with the hospital a “Duty to Warn” if a family member is in the process or has a protection order against the patient.
• Connect family members with community resources and service providers.
• Advocate and speak on behalf of the family and prepare family members for court testimony.
• Initiate contact with family upon receipt of petition and maintain contact throughout the process with the intent to identify and address any safety concerns, keep the family informed of the status of the case, and gather the families input for the prosecutor and courts.
• Consult and coordinate with prosecutors regularly regarding case issues and proceedings as a representative of the family’s concerns, needs and input – includes informing prosecutor of family’s willingness to assist with prosecution and of additional discoverable information or pertinent facts to the case gained through contact with the family.
• Communicate case updates to appropriate family members; comply and explain to the family HIPPA requirements and refer family to the hospital for a release of information (ROI) from the patient in order for the family to receive patient psych/medical information.
• Foster relationships with teammates and external agency partners: Hospitals, Evaluators, Attorneys, Paralegals. Law Enforcement, and other system entities to empower, support and educate families throughout the ITA system process.
• Assist paralegal team with PBK input and duties, as needed.
• Answer phone calls and respond to e-mails in a timely manner.
• Assist unit supervisor and staff supervisor as requested.
• Perform related work or other projects as requested or required.
• Actively participate in PAO equity work, attending equity trainings and discussions

• Knowledge of civil, appellate, and criminal law terminology, court rules and procedures. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with people in crisis. 
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; ability to communicate professionally and effectively with individuals and groups.
• Considerable knowledge of local related community resources. 
• Skill in working with diverse populations.
• Ability to exercise independent initiative and judgment and also function as a team player. 
• Ability to problem-solve and identify needed procedural and policy changes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage voluminous and sensitive caseloads.   
• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance.
• Ability to accept supervision and feedback.
• Skill in performing in a fast-paced environment with a high-volume caseload.
• Computer skills (WORD, Excel, PBK a plus), office equipment (phone, fax, copier), and organization skills. 
• Attention to detail and a low error rate in a fast-paced environment and the ability to multi-task and manage frequent interruptions. 
• Ability to comply with confidentiality requirements.
• Active participation in PAO equity work, attending equity trainings and discussions, support for the PAO’s Race, Equity and Social Justice policy and principles, work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Engage race, equity and social justice principles in regular job duties and decision making.
• Additional responsibilities and/or tasks may be incorporated, or existing ones modified as business needs evolve.