Expert Services Manager (PPMIII)

This recruitment will be used to fill a Career Service position and to create an eligibility pool to fill vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months.

The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) advances its mission to provide high-quality legal representation to adults youth and parents who cannot afford an attorney by ensuring equitable access to necessary expert services. DPD oversees the processing of funding requests for Expert Services at public expense for indigent persons in Adult and Juvenile Criminal cases and for child representation in Family Defense cases in King County Superior and District Courts. The Expert Services Manager (Project/Program Manager III)plays a pivotal role in this mission by overseeing the strategic administration coordination and continuous improvement of DPDs Expert Services program.

As the departments primary subject matter expert in this area the PPMIII provides guidance to attorneys court staff and external partners while collaborating with Finance Special Counsel and Department Leadership on policy development resource planning and fiscal management. Additional responsibilities include daily processing of Expert Services requests representing the department in interagency forums managing confidential filings mentoring and training staff and authorizing expenditures as neededall in support of DPDs commitment to fairness and equity for those most impacted by the criminal legal system.

The Departments Mission Statement
The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes justice and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives interests and dignity.

DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies misdemeanors juvenile defense family defense (dependency cases) involuntary commitment (mental illness) and sex offender commitment proceedings.

DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients liberty and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive respectful and supportive premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD visit our website.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee the comprehensive administration and strategic management of the Expert Services program for the Department ensuring alignment with organizational goals and legal standards.
• Lead the development coordination and ongoing refinement of multi-agency policies and procedures collaborating closely with Special Counsel Department Leadership and diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct continuous in-depth evaluations of the Expert Services program to identify opportunities for policy and procedural enhancements; formulate and implement recommendations to optimize effectiveness and compliance.
• Produce detailed complex analytical and program evaluation reports; manage robust data collection initiatives to support program objectives and inform budgetary planning.
• Administer and maintain the department-wide expert database ensuring data integrity and operational efficiency; collaborate with Special Counsel and systems analysts to design and implement improvements to collection of expert information.
• Collaborate with Finance Special Counsel and Department Leadership to develop and propose budget adjustments resource prioritization and strategic planning for Expert Services.
• Serve as the principal liaison and subject matter expert for all internal and external partners including attorneys administrative personnel pro se litigants court staff elected officials jail staff and subject matter expertsproviding guidance and support throughout the Expert Services process.
• Accurately input review and verify all incoming Expert Services requests within the eDefender case management system ensuring completeness before routing to ESAAs for ruling.
• Manage the processing of all Expert Services requests following rulings ensuring accurate and timely updates within the system; prepare and deliver payment affidavits and detailed instructions to requesters as appropriate to facilitate compliance and payment processing.
• Manage the processing and coordination of Expert Services requests specifically related to in-custody pro se litigants ensuring compliance with legal and procedural standards.
• Coordinate with the Finance team to obtain necessary tax and compliance documentation to support expert vendor onboarding and ensure timely accurate payment.
• Manage the filing of all Expert Services requests for King County Superior Court and all sealed Expert Services requests for King County District Court with strict confidentiality and accuracy.
• Act as the departments primary point of contact for all Expert Services-related inquiries via phone email or other means delivering responsive informed assistance.
• Represent the Department in multi-jurisdictional forums and interagency meetings advocating for program interests and fostering collaborative relationships.
• Make staff hiring recommendations.
• May assign work to other staff; provide performance evaluation information for other staff; serve as mentors to other staff.
• Draft responses sign letters when authorized.
• May authorize expenditures.

Other Functions:

The department reserves the right to close this posting and/or make updates to the position description as deemed necessary in support of DPDs mission.

• A bachelors degree from an accredited university and three years of experience working in a legal environment and working with pro se individuals or any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities to perform the work.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Have the ability to travel throughout the county in a tim
• Experience working in public service.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and filing pleadings and other documents for trial level court as a paralegal or legal assistant.
• Knowledge of the GuidelinesforCriminalDefense adopted by the Washington State Bar Association.
• Role of the attorney-client relationship and the requirement to adhere to the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Civil and criminal law and terminology court rules and procedures.
• General office procedures equipment and administration.
• Provide excellent customer service including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds who may be experiencing stress trauma and/or suffering from mental illness.
• Learn new and/or increasing complex duties.
• Adapt to ever changing work needs and requirements.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel Word Outlook SharePoint) and case management systems.
• Ensureworkperformedconformswithprevailingprofessionalstandardsand applicable statutes and county policy.
• Work in a fast-paced and multifaceted environment with high attention to detail and function well under pressure.
• Work both independently and as a team member.
• Handlemultiplecompetingprioritiessensitive andcrisissituations.
• Interpret complex legal documents instruments regulations and laws.
• Use advanced writing skills to draft department wide policy.
• Skill in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.

At King County our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

King County offers great benefits to include a pension plan holidays transit pass plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY
This opportunity to join DPD is open to all qualified applicants. Please apply at be considered for this role submit the following items:

• Completed King County application.
• A current resume.
• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the departments hybrid environment.

Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:

• Dexter Horton Building710 Second Avenue Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building 1401 East Jefferson Seattle
• Meeker Street Building 420 West Harrison Street Kent

Rotations of work location and practicearea and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee you are expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform your job and will not be eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time.

DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees such that if you work or have worked for one of DPDs divisions you may be ineligible to work in another division.

Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.

Union Membership
Positions in this classification are recognized by Service Employees International Union Local 925.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington States best employers.

Together with leadership and our employees were changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a differenceComejointheteamdedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play.

Guided by ourTrue North we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting support and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply including Native American and people of color immigrants refugees women LGBTQ people living with disabilities and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions including but not limited to recruitment hiring selection for training promotion transfer demotion layoff termination rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format would like torequest accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you havequestions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience education skills and abilities related to the position. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical dental vision flexible spending accounts life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation. For additional information please review the detailed summaryofbenefits offered by King County.