Paralegal 2, Corrections Division, Spokane

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1- or.

Position and Salary

The Attorney Generals Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Paralegal 2 position in the Corrections Division. The position is located in Spokane Washington and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Paralegal 2 (Range 55) salary range: $61644 - $82872
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidates 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 Corrections Division:

Are you interested in working with a tight-knit and collaborative team of paralegals and attorneys representing and advising the Department of Corrections on a wide variety of legal issues The Corrections Division is looking for Paralegal 2s to support two primary units within the division: the Civil Rights Unit (not to be confused with the Wing Luke Civil Rights Division) and the Habeas Corpus and Sentencing Unit.

The Civil Rights Unit defends the Department of Corrections and its employees in civil rights actions Public Records Act cases and personal restraint petitions related to prison conditions. These cases critically impact the states corrections system and range from straightforward pro se civil rights matters to class action litigation challenging the constitutionality of prison conditions and addition the Units serve as client contacts and legal advisers for the Department of Corrections and frequently work closely with DOC officials. The Habeas Corpus & Sentencing Unit represents the state in all federal habeas corpus cases filed by offenders in state custody who challenge their convictions or sentences pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2254. The Habeas unit also represents the Department in a significant number of personal restraint petitions and advises DOC on a variety of sentencing and community custody issues. The unit also advises the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board and represents the Board in personal restraint proceedings and the Clemency and Pardons Board. This Paralegal 2 position will be assigned work by managers based on the need and demands of the units and clients of the division.

Duties and Essential Functions of aParalegal 2:
Our Paralegal 2 staff provide critical support to Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) in litigation of state matters requiring a high degree of knowledge of legal concepts and practices. Under the general direction of an AAG you may be entrusted to perform some of the following duties:

• Composing initial drafts of documents notices and other legal pleadings;
• Managing the organization of complex litigation which includes utilizing databases for tracking documents ensuring easy accessibility to the litigation team;
• Drafting declarations;
• Gathering and organizing documents for production in discovery;
• Drafting and responding to discovery requests;
• Assisting attorneys in preparing for depositions;
• Assisting with legal research
• Assisting in trial preparation and trial through preparation of exhibits management of witnesses and serving as the primary point person on courtroom aids.

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

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
• Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal post BA) certification

and/or

• Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney

OR

• One year experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service.

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

Examples of paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney:

• Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence
• Ensuring and verifying timely and proper service of legal documents
• Calculating verifying and calendaring critical events and other dates
• Managing case documents files and exhibits
• Tracking and organizing discovery documents
• Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

The Attorney Generals 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 states 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 AGOs commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion NetworksOutstanding 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 solelybased on the contents and completeness of the work experience and education sections of your application in 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 .

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. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1- or .

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process please contact the recruitment team at If you are having technical difficulties creating accessing or completing your application please call NEOGOV toll-free at or .