LEGAL ASSISTANT 3

The Public Employment Relations Commission is recruiting for aLegal Assistant 3 position. This position is located in Olympia, Washington.

Salary Range: Depends on Qualifications

Minimum $47,100. annually (step A)

Maximum $61,644. annually (step L) (step M: $63,252. annually, longevity step)

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternate format may contact Human Resources at 360-570-7318.

The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) is an equal opportunity employer. PERC strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, religion, political affiliation, disability, or honorably discharged veteran or military status.

The mission of PERC is to provide expert, impartial, and timely resolution of labor-management disputes so that any disruption to public services is prevented or limited. PERC is a high-performing organization that strives to improve the relationships between labor and public employers. To learn more, visit www.perc.wa.gov.

PERC is recruiting to fill one full-time, permanent Legal Assistant 3 position to join our dynamic team. The Legal Assistant position is non-represented. It is covered by the FLSA and is overtime-eligible.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to hire at any time. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as soon as possible.

NOTE: This position currently has a hybrid work schedule. The incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance. This includes both telework and working from the Olympia office duty station. During the training period more hours will be spent in the office.

Duties

This position supports the Labor Relations Adjudicators/Mediators. Job duties may include:

• Providing legal support to Labor Relations Adjudicators/Mediators, Executive Director, and Commissioners
• Proofreading and editing legal documents for content, grammar, formatting, and fact-checking
• Preparing correspondence for Labor Relations Adjudicators/Mediators
• Reviewing work product of other Legal Assistants for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with agency procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Salary

• $47,100 - $61,644/year

Qualifications

Desirable:
A two-year degree in Legal Assistant Studies, Paralegal Studies, or related field of study, plus two years of legal office experience.

OR

One year of legal assistant experience for an Attorney, Labor Relations Adjudicator/Mediator, Administrative Law Judge, Industrial Appeals Judge, Review Judge, or equivalent.

OR

A combination of five years of college education and/or relevant experience.

OR

One year as a Legal Assistant 2.

A Bachelor's degree may substitute for the Legal Secretary or Paralegal degree.

We are looking for applicants who have the following:

• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, making timely and logical decisions while adapting to changing business needs
• Demonstrated ability to proofread and edit documents using strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Proven success earning the trust and respect of their customers, peers, and management. Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables
• Demonstrated intermediate level experience using Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated troubleshooting/problem solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to enter data accurately into databases
• Demonstrated ability to learn and utilize reporting functions of a database
• Ability to handle multiple tasks with competing deadlines
• Proven success working as a member of a team, contributing to team goals, and maintaining a positive attitude

Other Information

Application Instructions:
Include the following items in your application package:

• Current resume
• Letter of interest that includes a description of how you meet the desirable qualifications and why you think you are a good fit for the position
• Names and phone numbers/email addresses of three professional references
• Where you heard about this job recruitment

Application package must be emailed directly to PERC at:
Lynn Eccles, Administrative Services Manager
Public Employment Relations Commission
email: lynn.eccles@perc.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