Paralegal 1 (with in-training from LA2), SHO, Attorney General’s Office - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

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

If you are a current AGO legal support professional looking for a career growth and development opportunity within a supportive, collaborative environment where you can continue contributing meaningfully to Washington State’s legal matters, we invite you to consider our 12-month in-training program from Legal Assistant 2 to Paralegal 1.

This full-time, permanent position includes a two-tier, in-training program. The selected candidate will start at the Legal Assistant 2 classification, promote to Legal Assistant 3, and promote again to Paralegal 1 upon successful completion of the in-training program curriculum. The position is based in Tumwater, Washington with our Social and Health Services Division.

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. This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). 

Base Pay Ranges

Paralegal 1: Range 51: $54,204 - $72,924 (annual).

Legal Assistant 3: Range 44: $45,732 - $61,404 (annual).

Legal Assistant 2: Range 41: $42,696 - $56,880 (annual).

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.

Promotional salaries at each stage will be based on Article 42.10 of the WFSE CBA for represented employees and the AGO Salary Determination Policy for non-represented employees.

Additional Premium Pay Based on Position Requirements

The following types of premium pay will be applied when relevant:

• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay.
• Group C Assignment Pay* – Legal Assistant 3s assigned to work in Thurston County will receive a 10% assignment pay.  

*This is a limited premium and ends at the time of promotion into the Paralegal 1 goal classification.

In-Training Program Details

The AGO Professional Staff In-Training program is a formal on-the-job training program. The program enables the AGO to use defined training steps to train employees to work toward successfully performing the duties and responsibilities of the goal class.

In this job posting, we are considering internal AGO LA1 staff who hold permanent status as an LA1 only and are interested in learning on-the-job with the goal of moving into the Paralegal 1 role. You’ll gain the competencies and skills needed to successfully perform your duties while being supported by your supervisor, manager, and coworkers. Upon successful completion of your training and demonstrating knowledge of the position requirements, you will be promoted into the Paralegal 1 level.

Position Description and Job Duties

Our Paralegal 1 staff provide critical support to Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) in the litigation of state matters, preparing for trial, and applying knowledge of court rules related to legal practice, subject matter, and court filing procedures in civil and appellate matters. As a Paralegal 1, you may be entrusted to perform some of the following duties:

• Analyze facts
• Compose documents and pleadings
• Schedule and/or interview witnesses
• Research legal issues and evaluate the facts of the cases
• Coordinate the preparation for litigation
• Track status of cases from summons to trial
• Draft legal notices

Specific to the Social and Health Services Division, you will:

• Provide administrative support for court cases and administrative matters
  1. Document Preparation & Filing: Proofread, format, and finalize legal documents, ensuring accuracy. Arrange for legal messenger services using only authorized vendors approved by DES.
  2. Case Management & Processing: Enter and track legal documents in CMS, monitor case deadlines, update records, and maintain the Electronic Case File Mailbox according to protocols.
  3. Administrative & Legal Support: Schedule meetings, depositions, and conference calls; coordinate with court personnel, opposing parties, and clients; prepare attorney travel arrangements within approved per diem rates.
  4. Records & File Maintenance: Close and archive case files per AGO and divisional procedures, clean out electronic case files, and coordinate the return of physical files as needed.
• Provide technical paralegal support to attorneys in court cases and administrative proceedings.
  1. Legal Document Preparation: Draft correspondence, pleadings, and discovery materials for attorney review and signature.
  2. Trial & Litigation Support: Assist with trial preparation, including exhibit organization, trial notebooks, and coordinating witnesses. Organize jury instructions and pleadings for jury trials.
  3. Case Coordination & Communication: Confer with litigation experts, schedule meetings with clients and counsel, and provide case updates.
  4. Deadline & Case Management: Track key case events, calculate deadlines, and ensure compliance with court rules and agency policies.

If you are interested in furthering your legal support career within the AGO, this is the opportunity for you.

Qualifications for Entering at the Legal Assistant 2 Level with In-Training to Paralegal 1

You must hold a permanent status as a Legal Assistant 1 in the AGO to be considered for this position.

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 Social and Health Services Division – Olympia

The Social and Health and Services (SHO) division represents five state agencies including the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA) in their missions to provide benefits, protection and care to some of our state’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised residents. The division’s 44 attorneys and 28 professional staff provide legal services, advice and representation to DSHS’s many programs and functions, including mental health services and the state psychiatric hospitals; adult protective services; home and community services for elderly and disabled individuals; service to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities; income assistance; revenue recovery and child support; vocational rehabilitation; and the Special Commitment Center. In addition to meaningful and mission-driven work, SHO is a collegial and supportive division where people enjoy their work, have fun together, and truly value one another.

Legal Highlights: Division litigation ranges from federal court class action cases involving thousands of individuals to administrative appeals involving a single individual. Recent cases include a challenge to Washington’s long-term care benefit program (the first program of its kind in the country) and a challenge to the adequacy of the state’s mental health services. Other examples of cases include contract disputes with medical providers and managed care organizations; appeals related to eligibility for certain medical services; lawsuits brought by legal advocacy organizations on behalf of Medicaid recipients and disabled individuals; complex civil rights challenges by residents of the Special Commitment Center for sexually violent predators; civil and felony commitment hearings and trials; guardianship petitions on behalf of vulnerable adults; and appeals of vulnerable adult abuse or neglect findings.

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

The work of the AGO touches the lives of every resident in Washington, providing excellent, independent, and ethical legal services to the state and protecting the rights of its people. 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 in the lives of Washingtonians in your community, the AGO is the place for you. Learn more about the AGO here.

Supplemental Information and 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:

• 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.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
• Please be sure to remove private information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, etc. 
• 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.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO and we are committed to building an anti-racist and equitable agency. It is our goal to identify, discuss, and challenge racial inequity in the workplace and the impact it has on our employees, and, within our authority, combat racism that impacts the people of the State of Washington. 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 a professional, inclusive, respectful environment.

Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 "Zo8 Washington Wellness Award".

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.