Paralegal 3, Social & Health Services Olympia (SHO) Division, Tumwater

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 3 in the Social & Health Services Olympia Division. This position is located in Tumwater Washington and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Paralegal 3 (Range 59) salary range: $67992 - $91464
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 following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

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 Social & Health Services Olympia Division

Our team of 44 attorneys and 29 professional staff works at the heart of Washingtons social safety net. We provide legal support for five state agencies including the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA) to provide benefits protection and care to some of our states most vulnerable and disenfranchised residents.

Our cases range from large federal court class action cases to individual administrative appeals. Our recent cases include challenges to state employee health benefits programs and a challenge to the adequacy of the states mental health services.

We also handle a wide range of legal matters including:

• Seeking protections for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse or neglect;
• Defending lawsuits brought by legal advocacy groups organizations on behalf of Medicaid recipients and individuals with disabilities;
• Complex civil rights challenges by residents of the Special Commitment Center for sexually violent predators;
• Civil and felony commitment hearings and trials;
• Contract disputes with medical providers and managed care organizations; and
• Appeals related to eligibility for medical services.

Our division is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive workplace. We prioritize employee growth through a culture that recognizes hard work and provides active support for career advancement. Regular social events help us connect and strengthen our collaborative team dynamic - join us!

Duties and Essential Functions of a Paralegal 3

In this leadership role you will provide advanced litigation support while supervising and mentoring paralegal staff. You will work closely with Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs) and leadership to support complex cases and ensure high-quality timely legal services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead supervise and mentor legal support staff by assigning and prioritizing work monitoring workloads providing guidance and supporting staff development to ensure consistent high-quality performance

• Independently manage and prioritize multiple complex cases and competing deadlines exercising sound judgment to meet court requirements and division expectations
• Provide advanced litigation support to AAGs in state and federal courts including drafting pleadings correspondence and discovery; preparing trial materials; and assisting during hearings and trials
• Manage discovery and litigation technology including coordinating eDiscovery processes organizing and analyzing large volumes of case data and utilizing platforms such as Everlaw to support case strategy and compliance
• Conduct legal research and case analysis by reviewing statutes regulations case law and agency policies; summarizing findings; and ensuring accuracy and completeness of legal materials
• Coordinate with attorneys client agencies opposing counsel court staff and external partners to support case progression resolve issues and ensure compliance with deadlines and legal requirements
• Oversee and support Public Records Act (PRA) processes ensuring compliance with applicable laws and agency policies and providing guidance or training to staff as needed
• Monitor workloads track deadlines and contribute to division reporting and operational planning including identifying resource needs and supporting data-informed decision-making
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency consistency and effectiveness in litigation support and administrative workflows
• Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to legal ethical and professional standards including compliance with court rules agency policies and the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Participate in division leadership activities including management meetings trainings and collaborative initiatives to support a high-performing team environment

What Makes This Position Great

• Meaningful work supporting cases that impact vulnerable populations across Washington
• Leadership opportunity to supervise mentor and influence team performance
• High level of autonomy with the ability to manage priorities and make independent decisions
• Complex engaging litigation across state and federal courts
• Hands-on work with advanced tools like Everlaw and eDiscovery systems
• Collaborative team environment with experienced attorneys and leadership
• Opportunity to improve processes and contribute to division-wide operations
• Strong professional growth in both leadership and litigation support

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.

Required 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 six 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

• Two years experience as a Paralegal 2 in Washington State Service.

*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

Skills & Abilities

The most competitive candidates will possess the following skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of civil litigation processes including discovery trial preparation and court procedures in state and federal courts
• Knowledge of legal research methods court rules and applicable laws regulations and professional standards
• Ability to lead supervise and mentor legal support staff including assigning work setting priorities and supporting performance and development
• Ability to independently manage multiple complex cases and competing deadlines while exercising sound judgment
• Advanced litigation support skills including drafting legal documents managing discovery and supporting trial preparation
• Proficiency in litigation support technology and case management systems (e.g. Everlaw) including eDiscovery and document management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to identify issues evaluate options and implement effective solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys clients court personnel and external partners
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage large volumes of information accurately
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to legal ethical and professional standards
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment and anticipate case needs
• Ability to handle sensitive and potentially graphic subject matter with professionalism and resilience

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 solely based 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 .