Public Defense Paralegal Supervisor
Job Location:
Seattle, WA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
- Summary
The recruitment is open internally to current Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD) employees within the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) who have completed their probationary period.
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. The posting will remain open until the position is filled but applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 24 2026 will be given priority consideration.
This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months.
Summary
King Countys Department of Public Defense is hiring a Paralegal Supervisor in the Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD) who will oversee and coordinate the work of paralegal staff ensuring compliance with legal standards and effective workflow management.
The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in management and supervision of staff strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to implement and enforce policies and procedures.
This role requires a deep understanding of criminal defense guidelines legal research methods and the ability to handle multiple priorities under pressure while supporting a diverse team.
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 fairness 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.
- Job Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Be available to work onsite at least three days or more a week in any of DPDs office locations in Seattle and Kent as required
- Assign and coordinate daily work activities prioritize work manage conflicts and analyze workflow and standard operating procedures.
- Develop evaluate train mentor and coach assigned staff.
- Conduct performance evaluations and develop performance measures and standards; participate in the hiring process.
- Mediate and resolve complaints related to Public Defense Paralegal services and serve as the final escalation point.
- Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging with a diverse population.
- Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPDs clients many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness via the phone and in-person.
Administrative Management
- Develop and administer procedures and processes that support established guidelines and rules and regulations; ensure compliance with applicable local state and federal laws.
- Reliably answers and returns calls providing the DPD community with authentic support and demonstrating a willingness to assist them.
- Serve as a backup for coverage as needed.
- Perform other duties in support of DPDs mission as assigned.
- Experience Qualifications Knowledge Skills
In addition to theKnowledge Qualifications Skills and Requirements for the Public Defense Paralegal the Public Defense Paralegal Supervisor will:
Required Qualifications
- Hold a bachelors degree from an accredited university or a certification from an accredited paralegal training institution plus three years of related experience.
- Must possess a valid Washington State Drivers License or ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner to attend meetings and appointments.
- Must be 21 years of age to enter facilities where clients may be held.
- Must be able to lift 20lb
Knowledge Of
- The Guidelines for Criminal Defense: Understand the guidelines adopted by the Washington State Bar Association.
- The Attorney-Client Relationship: Comprehend the role and adhere to the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Civil and criminal law legal terminology court rules and procedures.
- Legal research methods and practices.
- Effective interviewing techniques.
- General office procedures equipment and administrative practices.
Ability To
- Provide excellent customer service including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds who may be experiencing stress trauma and/or suffering from mental illness.
- Demonstrate supervisory experience and the ability to effectively coach counsel and mentor paralegal staff.
- Exhibit strong team management capabilities including conflict resolution.
- Lead and implement policies and procedures as directed by management and Human Resources.
- Hold difficult conversations with supervisees offering constructive and timely feedback.
- Demonstrate professional and effective communication and listening skills.
- Provide essential support in building and maintaining a strong attorney-client relationship.
- Write advanced pleadings motions and briefs.
- Ensure all work performed meets professional standards and complies with relevant statutes and county policy.
- Handle multiple competing priorities sensitive situations and crisis effectively functioning well under time pressure.
- Accurately interpret complex legal documents regulations and laws.
- Collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Quickly adapt to new situations and work well under pressure exercising good judgment in stressful situations.
- Have regular reliable and predictable attendance to support timeliness and follow-through on legal items and scheduling affecting our clients.
- Supplemental Information
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.
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 APPLYThe recruitment is open internally to current Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD) employees within the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) who have completed their probationary period. Please apply at be considered for this role submit the following items:
- Completed King County application.
- A current/chronological resume.
- A Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.
This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six months.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact our Talent Advisors at dpd-.
Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.
Pay Upon Special Duty Placement
Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position.
WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION
The Paralegal team works in a hybrid model with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for this position is the Dexter Horton Building 710 Second Avenue Seattle.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
The typical workweek is 40 hours per week Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 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.
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 to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.
DPD Policies
Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees such that you must receive approval from your supervisor before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
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.
Union Membership
This position is represented by the Teamsters Local 117.
Forbes 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 differenceCome join the teamdedicated 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 to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Required Experience:
Manager
