RESOURCE PARALEGAL

We Want You to Join Our Passionate Public Defense Team!

Do you thrive at the intersection of public service and legal systems? Do you love helping people and navigating the criminal legal system? Are you a natural problem solver who gets satisfaction from connecting the dots? The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) is looking for two Resource Paralegals to join our newly created Trueblood Element Programs Resource Unit! These positions are funded by an interagency-agreement with the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) through June 30, 2027, with a strong possibility of renewed funding after June 30, 2027.

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)

We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.

Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.

Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.

Values: Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence

We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. To learn about OPD’s programs click here. We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, public policy, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.

Background on the Creation of OPD’s Trueblood Element Programs Resource Team

Trueblood v. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is an active lawsuit that challenged unconstitutional delays in competency evaluation and restoration services. The case resulted in a settlement agreement. The agreement funds several different programs. The Trueblood Element Programs include Outpatient Competency Restoration Programs (OCRP), Forensic Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (FPATH), and Forensic Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (FHARPS), among others. These Trueblood Element Programs are one of multiple pieces of the Trueblood settlement agreement managed by the state Health Care Authority (HCA), in collaboration with other state agencies. HCA contracts with community behavioral health providers, spanning 16 counties in Washington State, to provide services for Trueblood Class Members enrolled in these programs. HCA-Contracted Providers (Providers) consist of multidisciplinary teams within community behavioral health agencies. Providers build relationships with Trueblood Class Members eligible for enrollment in these programs in the community, and connect them with support including housing, basic needs, behavioral health, and health care. Connection to such services reduces the likelihood of future criminal legal system and competency services involvement and aims to increase long-term stability and wellness.

About the Trueblood Element Programs Resource Team at OPD

The Trueblood Element Programs (TEP) Resource Team is a newly created team at OPD, in partnership with the HCA. The TEP Resource Team will consist of a quarter-time resource attorney, and two full-time resource paralegals. The TEP Resource Team will work closely with Providers to deliver consultation, coordination support, and training to support the goal of reducing current and future criminal legal system involvement of Trueblood class members enrolled in Trueblood Element Programs.

Providers help connect eligible individuals with support including housing, basic needs, behavioral health, and health care. However, the individuals they support are often entangled in the criminal legal system. The TEP Resource Team will help the Providers understand and navigate the criminal legal system, to help eliminate barriers to their clients’ basic livability and medical needs.

That's where you come in.

The Position

As our TEP Resource Paralegal, you'll be the go-to legal resource for Providers with questions about their clients’ criminal legal situations—like active warrants, past charges, or pending hearings. Using secure databases, your role is to help identify legal matters and get Providers connected to the right public defenders or legal resources across the state. In a state with 150+ discrete courts, and non-unified prosecutorial and public defense systems, this is no small task. And, this is a new program, so some amount of trial and error should be expected. The successful candidate for this role should be comfortable with collaborating on a team that is essentially building the plane while flying it.

Periodic travel may be required in Washington State, including occasional overnight travel. Out-of-state travel occurs infrequently.

Duties

• Be available to answer calls and emails daily during business hours, Monday through Friday, from Providers in Washington requesting criminal legal system information about their clients;
• Research and analyze relevant points of criminal legal system involvement for eligible individuals as requested by Providers; use public databases or confidential or secure systems daily like JABS, JIS, and Odyssey to identify warrants, pending cases, prior convictions, or other legal-system involvement of the individual as available in existing databases;
• Attend meetings with HCA, Providers, and regional legal system partners;
• Connect Providers with local public defense agencies or other legal resources for follow-up or direct legal representation; help liaise between Providers and legal system actors as needed; provide consultation and support to Providers interfacing with legal system actors.
• Create and lead trainings for Providers and other Trueblood teams on navigating the criminal legal system, understanding legal terminology, or process, or other applicable training topics related to supporting Trueblood class members
• Continually research and compile relevant information about the different courts, prosecutorial, and public defense providers across the state;
• Build relationships with system actors in counties and cities;
• Perform legal research projects as assigned, research all statutes and case law necessary to complete projects under the direction of a supervising attorney;
• Collect and maintain statistical data for the compilation of monthly and/or annual statistics for internal use, budget preparation, public inquiry, and management reports;
• Be part of a collaborative, mission-driven team working to ensure legal and behavioral health systems work better for Washington’s most vulnerable populations;
• Other duties as assigned

Salary

• $66,372 - $89,316/year

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• An associate’s degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program. Relevant experience may substitute for this requirement.
• 3–5 years of experience as a legal assistant or paralegal in Washington state, with a focus on criminal defense
• 3 years of experience and proficiency with, Washington court systems and legal databases, such as but not limited to JABS, JIS, and Odyssey
• Experience locating, interpreting, and summarizing criminal records, court dockets, and legal documents at the felony and misdemeanor leveL
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills
• Ability to deliver consistent and reliable attendance
• Strong organization and time management skills, including self-direction and punctuality
• Comfort handling sensitive, confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively across teams and with different system actors (lawyers, prosecutors, social workers, court representatives, etc.)
• Ability to work on-site at our offices in Olympia at least four days per week

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in a public defense office or with an indigent defense contractor
• Experience working directly with vulnerable or justice-involved individuals
• Experience working with behavioral health professionals
• Ability to develop processes, and the flexibility to adapt and evolve processes when necessary
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, justice, and public service

General Responsibilities

• Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations
• Participate in and foster a collaborative working environment at OPD, with statewide stakeholder groups, and in demographically diverse local court systems
• Diligently follow state employee ethics requirements
• Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD’s Mission, Vision and Values

Other Information

Compensation

$66,372 to $89,316 annually. Compensation depending on qualifications. Washington State employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package that includes: paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement and medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage for self and family. There are also options for deferred compensation, pre-tax flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal public loan forgiveness.

Application Process

To be considered, interested candidates must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above.) You must complete the entire online application. In addition to the online application:

• Letter of interest.
• Current résumé
• At least three professional references.

The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible.

Questions about this position may be directed to Grace O'Connor, Supervising Attorney at grace.oconnor@opd.wa.gov or 360-586-3164 ext. 151.

If you have problems navigating the online application process or uploading the required documents, email tracy.sims@opd.wa.gov for assistance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We vigorously pursue diversity in the work force and are an equal opportunity employer. OPD does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, those who are formerly incarcerated or have prior child welfare involvement, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.

Teleworking

Our offices are in Olympia, Washington. The TEP Resource Paralegals will be required to be on-site at least four days per week with a telework option one day per week. This option will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position and availability of adequate equipment.

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, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) 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 07-21-2025