First Review: February 13th.

To Apply

Complete the online application at attach a resume and cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements.

Work Schedule

This is an ongoing .85 FTE position working 34 hours per week. These hours are to be scheduled during normal operations Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30pm.

Nature of Work

Under direct supervision of the City Attorney this 0.85 FTE position divides time between Paralegal duties (approximately 60% of position hours) and Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy (approximately 40% of position hours) with the balance of time dedicated to administrative support for the Legal Department. The Paralegal role provides legal office coordination drafts and reviews legal documents conducts legal research and maintains records. The Victim Advocate role provides support to victims of violent crimes assists in the prosecution of domestic violence cases and serves as liaison between victims law enforcement and the courts. This position requires handling confidential information meeting strict deadlines and balancing responsibilities across both roles. The position may also serve as Legal Department Office Manager and on occasion provide administrative support to the City Managers Office.

Paralegal Functions:

• Drafts prepares reviews and finalizes a wide variety of legal documents including ordinances resolutions contracts interlocal agreements easements purchase and sale agreements settlement agreements pleadings complaints answers subpoenas interrogatories jury instructions and correspondence.

• Conducts legal research; verifies citations; organizes and summarizes information witness statements and documents; drafts and edits pleadings and motions; and prepares case materials for litigation or potential litigation.

• Coordinates civil asset forfeiture hearings including preparing notices orders and related documentation.

• Assists attorneys and prosecutors with gathering evidence discovery and trial preparation.

• Prepares agenda cover sheets and packets for City Council on matters from the City Attorneys Office.

• Provides office coordination and administrative support including department records litigation calendars files payroll data special project files and library resources.

• Prepares and coordinates paperwork for real estate transactions working with title companies and escrow offices to facilitate property acquisitions.

• Responds to public records requests and communicates with City staff outside counsel and agencies on research requests pending lawsuits and contract preparation.

• Provides paralegal administrative and secretarial assistance to the City Attorney Assistant City Attorney and Prosecutor as assigned.

• Conducts outreach and education to enhance public awareness of domestic violence issues and available resources.

Victim Advocacy Functions:

• Provides crisis intervention safety planning counseling referrals and emotional support for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes.

• Advises and explains court processes to victims and interested parties as needed prepares necessary paperwork and attends hearings as requested by the Prosecutor.

• Works with the Prosecuting Attorney to prepare and develop domestic violence cases including gathering case information.

• Coordinates with police courts and external social service agencies to ensure comprehensive victim support.

• Reviews relevant City code and state laws for updates; proposes policies or procedures to reduce domestic violence.

• Compiles reports and statistical data accurately and in a timely manner.

General Functions

• Provides administrative coordination for the Legal Department; may serve as Office Manager.

• Ensures confidentiality accuracy and proper formatting of legal and victim-related documentation within required deadlines.

• Establishes and maintains cooperative effective working relationships with co-workers other City employees and the general public using principles of good customer service.

• Reports for scheduled work with regular reliable and punctual attendance.

• Performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to cross-functional assignments to cover absences provide relief equalize peak work periods or balance workload.

Necessary Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Organization functions and activities of a municipal legal department and municipal government operations.

• Legal office paralegal and administrative procedures and practices.

• Civil and criminal law processes including prosecutorial functions.

• Legal terminology case law citation and use of law libraries.

• Drafting formatting and processing requirements for public documents contracts pleadings and other legal instruments.

• Confidentiality requirements applicable to legal records personnel records and victim information.

• Trauma-informed practices crisis counseling and cultural sensitivity in victim advocacy.

• Federal state and City laws codes rules and regulations applicable to paralegal and victim services functions.

• Financial and statistical recordkeeping techniques.

• Modern office practices procedures and equipment including Microsoft Word Outlook Excel PowerPoint and legal case management systems (e.g. DISCIS SCOMIS JIS).

• Principles of customer service and effective public relations.

• Correct English usage grammar spelling punctuation and vocabulary.

• Basic real estate transaction processes including title/escrow coordination and related documentation.

Skill and Ability to:

• Draft proofread and finalize a wide range of legal and administrative documents with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Conduct legal research analyze data and information and summarize findings in clear and concise formats.

• Independently plan organize prioritize and schedule work to meet fixed and fluctuating deadlines.

• Manage emotionally charged situations apply crisis intervention skills and maintain professional boundaries.

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with staff victims partner agencies and the public.

• Prepare clear and accurate reports and statistical data for internal use and compliance.

• Prepare and assemble agenda materials and supporting documentation for City Council and other governing bodies.

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with staff elected officials external agencies and the public.

• Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

• Assist in courtroom proceedings and provide advocacy in judicial settings.

• Identify and recommend improvements in office procedures and victim support practices.

• Operate standard office equipment and computer applications with proficiency; type at a minimum speed of 50 words per minute.

• Provide courteous customer service to the public and partner agencies by phone and in person.

• Maintain accurate records files and filing systems.

• Report for scheduled work with regular reliable and punctual attendance.

• Perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from high school (or equivalent) plus a paralegal certificate or college-level course work in paralegal or legal administration business administration office management or related field and

• Two (2) years of experience in legal advocacy or administrative support experience in a legal office or victim services environment preferred.

Special Requirements

• Possession of and the ability to maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Drivers License with a good driving record.

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background and criminal history check.

• Because of the known effects of tobacco use the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.

Working Conditions and Physical Abilities

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment typically sitting at a desk for long periods of time. The position requires continuous standing walking sitting fingering talking reaching grasping hearing handling and repetitive motions of hands wrists and feet frequent stooping and bending and rare kneeling feeling and climbing. Employees may be exposed to noise from basic office equipment operation. Some lifting of light objects (less than 20 pounds) may be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• The City of Des Moines is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and all qualified applicants including all ethnic backgrounds and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race sex age color religion national origin marital status sexual orientation veteran status disability status or any other basis prohibited by federal state or local law.
• In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act an employer is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a general it is the responsibility of the applicant or employee with a disability to inform the employer that an accommodation is needed to participate in the application process to perform essential job functions or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment.

General Information

• The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job classification the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.

• The physical abilities described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The provisions of this job description do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

• Updated 2026.