Paralegal 2, Agriculture and Health Division, Washington State Office of the Attorney General

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 Supervising Paralegal 2 in the Agriculture and Health Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Paralegal 2 (Range 55) salary range: $59,844 - $80,460 

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 following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.  
• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend. 

About the Agriculture and Health Division:

The Attorney General's Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Supervising Paralegal 2 in the Agriculture and Health Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington and supervises 4 Paralegal 1s.   The Agriculture and Health Division is made up of 15 attorneys and 9 professional staff when fully staffed. The division represents the Departments of Agriculture, Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Commerce, and Health, as well as 22 Agricultural Commodity Commissions and the Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste. The division's work involves both litigation and advice related to oversight of health care practitioners and facilities, certification of medical marijuana consultants, the regulation of agricultural activities and food processing, pest eradication, threats to human health, shellfish sanitation, drinking water and septic systems, funding of innovative life sciences research and clean energy technology, historic and archaeological artifact preservation and low-level radioactive waste disposal. The division also assists with legal issues related to the Energy Independence Act and programs to improve the state's economy, infrastructure, and disadvantaged populations.

 Duties and Essential Functions of a Supervising Paralegal 2: 

The Agriculture and Health Division's Mission is to strategically represent our clients by collaboratively applying our legal expertise to improving public health and safety, fostering economic development and promoting agriculture, while sustaining Washington's communities and preserving the environment. This position's role is to perform senior level legal work; train, mentor, and supervise 4 Paralegal 1s and other support staff and provide backup functions for the Division Lead.   Duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Supervise, train, mentor, and coaches legal support staff in the performance of all duties; at the expert level; applies independent judgment in completing complex tasks and projects such as: schedules and conducts staff meetings; determines the distribution of subordinates’ workload to resolve workload conflicts to meet deadlines and minimize overtime using expert knowledge of legal support assignments; assists with drafting and updating office procedures and office manuals to maximize the efficiency and operations of a legal office.
• Develops and/or updates position description forms; interviews and recommends individuals for appointment or promotion; provides training to new and existing staff; provides new staff with orientation; assigns and monitors work of lower-level professional staff; conducts interim and annual performance reviews; takes corrective actions, recommends disciplinary action when needed.
• In absence of attorney, judge, or equivalent, independently takes appropriate action on urgent items. 
• Has the authority to approve leave for employees under direct supervision. Assures appropriate and optimum use of the organization's resources and enhances the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities.
• As a member of the division's management team, attends regular and special management meetings. Participates in division business planning. Models and provides leadership to promote teamwork, motivate staff, and produces high quality services. 
• Maintains an expert working knowledge of the procedures for electronic filings, as well as the rules and procedures for filing in administrative, state, federal, and appellate courts.
• Reviews legal documents for proper format and ensures court rules are followed. Drafts and prepares pleadings, discovery, and case information including case analysis, as needed. Initiates correspondence and pleadings for attorneys' signatures; proofread, format, cite check, and finalize letters, memos, reports and pleadings at attorney's request. 
• Compiles exhibits and attachments, maintains service lists, and ensures that legal documents are prepared and processed to meet legal requirements and all filing deadlines. 
• Reads and maintains a working knowledge of complex rules, policies, and operating procedures, office-wide and for all courts and boards.
• Oversees the functions of the AHD Paralegals in their role as critical event readers as well as calculates, calendars, and tracks significant events and identifies and posts critical deadlines using the State’s Case Management System on a rotating basis.

 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.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Qualifications: 

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens. 

Combination of four years of experience through paralegal certification, two-year paralegal degree, and/or paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney.

OR

Three years’ experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service.

You may have gained applicable paraprofessional experience through previous Paralegal or Legal Assistant work.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Strong communication skills.

Familiarity and understanding of Washington State courts, court rules, and statutes.

Ability to remain calm during stressful events.

Good listening skills and ability to bring people together.

Experience with litigation and expert knowledge of pleadings and what deadlines they trigger.

Experience with leading, mentoring, coaching, or training others.

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General   

Join an agency whose work impacts the lives of every resident of Washington State. 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 2021 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

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 telework options for most positions, a Wellness Program, the Employee Assistance Program, and numerous affinity groups to foster community and connection.

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.

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 Jenny Wilding @ (360) 753-6216 or Jenny.Wilding@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.