The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high-quality legal representation to indigent clients. DPD practices in several areas, including felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and contempt of court. The department also works to address racial disproportionality in the criminal legal system, the collateral consequences of system involvement, and other structural and/or systemic issues that undermine the rights of our clients and their communities. DPD employs attorneys, skilled investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff. Expert services are regularly funded, in keeping with state court rules.
 
To learn more about DPD, visit our website at: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/public-defense.aspx
 
About the Position
The Legal Administrative Specialist II performs a vital role in supporting the work of the department. Legal Administrative Specialists handle an array of technical legal office support tasks performed under general supervision, requiring an ability to exercise a moderate degree of independent judgment. Duties require a clear understanding and skill in applying office guidelines, legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws.
   
Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to the general public and may be used to fill full-time current and/or future career service, term-limited temporary, and/or special duty positions in any of the Department’s four divisions. DPD also intends to generate an eligibility pool for future vacancies in career service and temporary positions over the next six months.

Note: Special duty opportunities are open only to current King County career service employees who have completed their initial probation. Special duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment. Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement or Master Labor Agreement for their base assignment.
 
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to applicants, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.

Work Locations: Positions may be assigned to work in any of the following locations: 

• Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building, 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle 
• Meeker Street Building, 420 West Harrison Street, Kent

DPD's Legal Administrative Specialist II's are responsible for accurate docketing and case assignment entry, which may include: 

• Inputting case assignments following case management system docketing work procedures. This may entail opening cases, inputting initial calendaring, inputting client letters, page-by-page discovery review for conflicts, updating case file, scanning and uploading discovery, updating credits, creating Notices of Appearance, creating and filing Notices of Withdrawal, E-filing & E-Serving documents, running Defendant Criminal History and Electronic Court Record, updating name cards, and transferring cases. 
• Processing regular debits and credits daily into case management system.
• Requesting case credit and assignments from the Director's Office as needed.
• Opening and distributing cases to assigned lawyers.
• Reviewing case assignments with the attorney supervisor.
• Maintaining Master Court Calendar with supervisor and attorney supervisor.
• Verifying monthly reports as needed.
• Closing client case files and processing closed files daily.
• Providing telephone coverage as needed.
• Obtaining criminal history information from jails or prisons via telephone, email, or regular mail.
• Providing coverage for vacation and other leaves as needed or directed.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Well-qualified candidates for the Legal Administrative Specialist II possess at least two years of increasingly responsible office or administrative support experience, preferably in a legal setting (or other complex setting, such as the medical field), or any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to satisfactorily perform the job duties listed above.
 
In addition, candidates will possess:

• Knowledge of general office policies, principles, and practices.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics.
• Demonstrated initiative and accountability in work products and service and the ability to follow-through on issues to completion. Must be dependable and willing to assist co-workers as needed.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, and Outlook), document management, and Internet search engines.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive matters.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to understand and execute verbal and written instructions.
• Keyboarding proficiency and accuracy.
• Successful experience working and functioning as a team member.
• Skill in performing repetitive tasks with high attention to detail.
• Skill in providing excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who, in the case of clients, may be experiencing stress and trauma due to contact with the criminal legal system.
• Skill in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including victims, witnesses, clients, and court personnel, in a tactful, diplomatic, patient, and professional manner, some of whom may be angry and/or difficult either in person or via telephone.
• Skill in prioritizing workload, working under pressure with tight timelines, and adapting to changes in workload demands.
• Regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• The ability to travel throughout King County in a timely manner.

• Familiarity with legal office administration.
• Familiarity with criminal legal system.
• Knowledge of legal procedures and court rules.
• Knowledge of Superior Court Management Information System (SCOMIS), Judicial Information System (JIS), and Electronic Case Records (ECR) preferred.
• Fluency in a foreign language is a plus.

Special note regarding COVID-19 
DPD is following Public Health and CDC guidance in regard to social distancing. Interviews for this position will be conducted remotely. Successful candidates may be required to telecommute and come into the office on a periodic basis; frequency will vary based on business and operational needs.
 
Application Process
Interested individuals should submit a complete online King County application (all blanks must be filled out and may not direct the reader to reference an attached resume or other document. Answers that say "see resume" will be considered as incomplete), and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge and skills for the job.
 
Selection Process  
Applications will be reviewed and screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. Applicants may be required to demonstrate their qualifications at the time of the interview and/or complete a skills assessment. All materials will be evaluated for spelling, grammar, and punctuation usage. The most competitive candidates will be invited to interview.
 
Offer of employment is contingent on:
The successful completion of references and a conflicts check in keeping with DPD’s Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures.

Union Membership
Positions in this classification are recognized by Service Employees International Union, Local 925.
 
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 
 
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
  
Guided by our "True 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.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.

 As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

• submit proof of vaccination or
• have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.