Legal Assistant 1, Regional Services Division, Kennewick

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 permanent full time Legal Assistant 1 in the Regional Services Division. This position is located in Kennewick, Washington, and  is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Legal Assistant 1 (Range 42) salary range: $45,024 - $60,132 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!

About the Regional Services Division

The seven offices of the RSD are the “face of the AGO” in communities across the state. These offices provide a wide variety of legal services for a number of different client agencies, such as the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Employment Security Department and Department of Licensing. The offices also represent education institutions, including Western Washington University and local community and technical colleges. The RSD also represents and advises the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss, the School for the Blind, and Educational Services Districts. The professional staff members and AAGs in Regional Services operate in a highly independent environment while also working as an integrated part of the AGO.

This position supports the litigation teams in the office by ensuring that documents are timely filed, information is retrieved from court staff and databases, client staff and represented agencies. The position ensures accurate entry of information into databases used to track and process case details throughout the litigation process, maintaining contact and direction with paralegal staff and acting as a resource in support of the outcome. 

The position is the front line of contact for constituents at both the front desk and by phone. Using resources to assist in resolving matters while understanding that the agency cannot offer legal support or representation for the citizens of the state but does offer resources that can assist with certain issues. It is necessary that the candidate is reliable and able to maintain excellent attendance

Duties and Essential Functions of a Legal Assistant 1

Performs general clerical work and basic technical legal assignments, per the following: 

• Receives and screens clients and the public by phone and in person; assists with answers to basic or routine questions; directs parties to appropriate resources. Handles non-routine, sometimes difficult situations and calls requiring the use of problem-solving skills. 
• Receives service of legal documents and immediately saves to the file directory, routes to the appropriate party; reviews documents for court mandated dates. 
• Requests Discovery from client agencies on behalf of the litigation team; documents receipt in the case management program and alert litigation team of receipt. 
• Monitors division electronic mailboxes, per agency and division protocols and policies, routes documents to appropriate staff for processing. 
• Opens and closes case files in legal databases, as directed; adds necessary information to the Case Management System for retention purposes. 
• Acts as liaison with the court clerk's office; identifies, locates and prints court docket for cases the agency is assigned. 
• Performs delivery/messenger services such as distributing and filing legal documents and obtaining signatures in order to meet critical deadlines; apply learned knowledge of court and statutory requirements. 
• Accurately creates Notices of Appearance for filing with the court; obtains signatures from necessary AAG and prepares and signs accompanying proof of service for distribution to parties, electronically or via USPS. 
• Provides backup services to legal assistants and supervisor with various unit projects to meet deadlines, as needed or directed by supervisor. 
• Photocopies and scans documents ensuring exact duplication of originals, saves to designated electronic file folders using case approved naming convention, and distributes conformed copies of orders to opposing counsel and other interested parties. 
• Prepares and archives electronic and paper case files in accordance with legal requirements for protecting confidential information; statutory requirements for public disclosure; office policy, and understands and utilizes agency retention schedule. 
• Numbers and assembles legal documents, evidence, exhibits and other materials as directed, using Adobe Pro. 
• Receives billing statements, cost bills and invoices for uploading to the Purchasing and Payables system for approval. Ability to utilize the ECMS system to check the status of current/open contracts and apply the information to the Purchasing site accurately. 
• Fields calls relating to payments and overdue receipt of warrant detail by reviewing the Purchasing and Payable site for current detail, or to track the fees owed for vendors and experts. 
• Processes LNI payments and cost bills by sending AAG approved fee statements and vouchers to the LNI Accounts Payable email site for processing. 
• Maintains inventory, tracks supplies, prepares orders as needed, following office protocols and procedures. 
• Unloads supply packing slips upon receipt and scans packing slips to the purchasing site. 
• Provides legal support to office paralegals in notifications pertaining to children and families in the juvenile court system to Native American Tribes and Alaskan Villages, per the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).
• Maintains division's assets and equipment, according to established processes and procedures. Provides training to new staff, as needed. 
• A Position Description Form (PDF) will be provided that more fully outline the duties assigned to this position when interviews of the chosen candidates are scheduled.

While the duties can seem overwhelming at first glance, the desired candidate will understand the ebb and flow of duties and assignments and develop own processes, over time, to accomplish tasks with limited effort. The office staff and supervisor are willing to offer assistance during the training process and throughout the candidate’s tenure, when tasks may be interrupted by filing, an influx of mail to be distributed, or other delay. We also cover tasks when others are out on personal leave. 

The office is collegial and spends time socializing, particularly during the holidays, at events scheduled and arranged by the office social committee.

The Professional Staff Conference is arranged yearly. Allowing professional staff to gather for speakers and trainings, while having the opportunity to network with other staff in other Divisions. Because our office is the furthest from the state capitol, travel to these events is a group effort, usually traveling together in a state vehicle, staying overnight in a city on the west side of the state, gathering for dinner the evening before, then participating in the conference the following day before returning to the Tri-Cities in the evening.

Along with garnering knowledge of the courts and administrative hearing boards, training opportunities are available to all staff in the agency. Along with the mandatory trainings all staff must participate in, the office also offers courses and trainings to expand all staff’s knowledge and experience that can contribute to promotional opportunities in the future.

The office offers a flexible/hybrid schedule to staff. While the Legal Office Assistant is not precluded from having a remote schedule, the Kennewick management team prefers that the successful candidate pass the standard six month probation period before implementing a remote or flex schedule, without good cause.

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: 

Option 1: High School diploma or equivalent and two years of clerical experience including a minimum of one year of experience in a legal environment; 

Option 2: Two years of legal office experience; 

Option 3: A combination of three years of college education and/or relevant experience; 

Option 4: A two year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal studies or related field of study.

Skill & Abilities

Timeliness and promptness- is readily available during designated work hours, acknowledges customers with immediate response and provides estimated time when requested information will be provided.

Working knowledge of Microsoft suite of business applications – Word, Excel, Outlook email and calendaring; Microsoft 365 Products; Adobe.

Working knowledge of agency and court case tracking programs – Law Manager or equivalent program for AGO case tracking, Odyssey, SCOMIS/JIS, eMotion, and jMotion.

Conditions of Employment

This

position is one which requires a driver's license in order to lawfully operate

state vehicles.

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.  
 

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.
• The AGO complies with employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9, and the selected candidate for these roles, on the first day of employment, must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the Unities States consistent with the requirements of form I-9. In order to proceed in the consideration process at AGO, you will need to provide work authorization that would not require the AGO to sign a cooperative education agreement with a school.

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.