Legal Assistant 1, Spokane Administration Division, Spokane

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 Spokane Division. This position is located in Spokane, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

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

The Christine O. Gregoire Spokane Division provides legal services in Eastern Washington to many agencies and institutions of state government. Currently the Division houses staff that represent the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS), Labor & Industries, Department of Transportation, Department of Licensing, Employment Security Department (ESD), Department of Corrections; the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, and various institutions of higher education, including Eastern Washington University, Big Bend Community College and the Community Colleges of Spokane. The division also has staff from the Criminal Justice Division and Complex Litigation as well as a sizable group that handles Medicaid Fraud cases.  Finally, the Division has staff that provides numerous state agencies with advice and representation on labor and personnel matters as well as those that defend various tort lawsuits filed against state agencies.  The two largest sections in Spokane are Social and Health Services (SHS) and Labor and Industries (LNI).  Both sections provide legal services that protect the citizens of Washington.  SHS focuses on our vulnerable populations, handling cases involving children and vulnerable.  They also handle licensing matters involving foster homes, adult family homes and daycares.    LNI handles cases involving violations regarding workplace safety, wage payments, employer audits, fraud and building trade compliance.  The Corrections staff handle a large volume of litigation and advice requests. One attorney represents WSDOT in eminent domain and eviction actions. The Labor and Personnel group advise state agencies on various human resource issues. The licensing attorney handles paid family medical leave benefits cases, ESD unemployment benefits, and licensing actions. The education team gives client advice on a variety of issues including student conduct issues and Title 9 issue. The Torts section continued its work to vigorously defend the State, its agencies, and employees from litigation.   The work of the Spokane Division is exceptional but the diversity in the work we do makes it impossible to single out just one or two significant cases.  Our staff understands that each case we handle is significant to the parties involved.    We are proud of the work we do and the communities we serve on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.    

Duties and Essential Functions of a Legal Assistant 1:

This position performs routine legal support functions for our attorneys in Spokane such as opening of new cases, entering data into our database, processing filings and certified mailings, editing and proofreading pleadings, etc. Prepares legal documents and pleadings for filing in state and federal courts, routine expert agreements and stipulations, releases, subpoenas and correspondence for obtaining records. This position also handles all travel arrangements for Spokane staff; provides support to the Administrative Operations Manager and Division Chief; trains and assists staff with timekeeping and travel reimbursements, etc. This position will also provide backup support to reception.

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:

Communication, attention to detail and multi-tasking.

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.

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.