Legal Assistant (LA2)

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values: 

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we work hard to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.

We are currently recruiting for a Legal Assistant who is driven to excellence, has great attention to detail, and able to handle changing priorities in a professional and calm manner. 

As one of the most visible state agencies and the second-largest revenue generator in Washington State, we engage with over 6 million residents each year and collect nearly $3 billion in taxes and fees. We understand that our services are vital to the daily lives of our customers, enabling them to live, work, drive, and thrive. We take this responsibility to heart and are dedicated to providing equitable and meaningful access to our services for every resident.

If you have excellent interpersonal communication skills, are exceptionally organized, and excel under tight deadlines with flexibility and agility, we invite you to apply!

As a Legal Assistant, you will offer essential support to our Administrative Law Office by organizing case files, preparing legal documents, and meeting strict deadlines. Your strong communication skills will enable you to effectively interact with both internal staff and external customers, ensuring timely follow-up on requests and inquiries. You will track notices and service of documents to meet statutory deadlines, as well as coordinate document reviews and schedule appointments. As part of our collaborative team, your work will help ensure that the agency takes appropriate, defensible actions, directly contributing to our mission of public safety by helping every Washington resident live, work, drive, and thrive.

• Apply knowledge of various rules and statutory requirements related to the administrative hearing and review process.
• Provide skilled review of Abstract of Driving Record (ADR) as required to process all types of due process requests and analyses ADR to interpret and explain relevant information to customers.
• Create and prepare legal documents for due process reviews as required by rule or law.
• Enter case evidence into the driver’s administrative record, evaluating the accuracy and completeness of the administrative due process evidence.
• Proofread and edit all legal documents for grammar, spelling, and syntax.
• Maintain status of hearing case throughout administrative process.
• Maintain personal and commercial driver-related records, databases, and systems.

What you will bring to the role:

Two (2) years of experience in a legal environment in support of an attorney, administrative law judge(s), industrial insurance appeals judge(s), review judge(s) or equivalent

OR

Two (2) years of experience interpreting RCW / WAC while providing customer service.

OR

A two (2) year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal Studies, or related field and one (1) year of legal office experience.

OR

A combination of four (4) years of college education and/or relevant experience.

• The knowledge of legal terminology, local state and federal court procedures and rules, knowledge of legal forms and documents, legal office practices, methods, and communication procedures.
• Two (2) years of experience using computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Scheduler.
• One (1) year providing service to customers on the phone or in person, where explaining rules, policies, and/or procedures are regular daily functions.

• Experience reading and interpreting a drive record and taking appropriate action based on licensing laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Experience signing on and verifying data within the court data storage system.
• One (1) year of experience composing, formatting, proofreading, and editing professional and legal correspondence, emails, memos, letters, and documents, applying "plain talk" principles and clear communication guidelines. Able to edit others writing for continuity, grammar, and punctuation.
• Experience uploading and updating Microsoft SharePoint.

• Prior to a new hire, a preemployment check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• Select the apply button at the top of this job announcement.
• Attach a current:
  • A cover letter explaining your experience as it relates to this position and why you are interested in this opportunity.
  • Resume

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and 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, 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.