Legal Assistant - Lead (NDD/SCRAPD)
- Summary
The Department of Public Defense’s Northwest Defenders Division (NDD) and Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD) are seeking interested applicants for a career service Legal Assistant – Lead. The Legal Assistant – Lead performs a vital role in supporting the work of the department. Legal Assistants 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. The Legal Assistant – Lead has additional duties beyond those of the Legal Assistants.
Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to current NDD and SCRAPD career service Legal Assistants who have successfully passed their initial career service probation. DPD is currently accepting applications to fill one Legal Assistant – Lead position in NDD and SCRAPD.
The Department of Public Defense (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.
Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs.
Work Location
This position will be located at various NDD and SCRAPD offices in Seattle and Kent.
DPD employees enjoy a flexible, hybrid in-office/telecommute workplace structure, and this role should expect to work both in the office and remotely. DPD maintains physical offices in 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 (SCRAPD)
- Kent Professional Center, 124 4th Avenue, Kent (NDD)
Work Schedule
The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay with approval from the supervisor.
For more information, contact:
Falisha Forgash
Human Resource Analyst
fforgash@kingcounty.gov- Job Duties
In addition to the duties for the Legal Assistant, the Legal Assistant – Lead will:
- Assist in workload planning, prioritizing, and assigning work schedules.
- Cross-train Legal Assistants.
- Serve as a backup for coverage as needed.
- Assist with Quality Assurance by running reports in Legal Files upon a supervisor request.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
In addition to the Knowledge/Skills for the Legal Assistant, the Legal Assistant – Lead will:
- Have knowledge of each practice area.
- Skill to perform and teach each piece of a Legal Assistant’s job.
- Be able to coach and mentor other Legal Assistants.
Any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:- Ability to lift/move up to 20-pound boxes
- Supplemental Information
DPD Policies
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.
Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to applicants, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
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.
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
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.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Are you a current and/or former employee of the Department of Public Defense?
- Yes
- No
02If yes to the above, in which division(s)? Otherwise, please indicate N/A.- Associated Counsel for the Accused
- Northwest Defenders
- Society of Counsel Representing the Accused Persons
- The Defender Association
- Director's Office
- N/A
03Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
04If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question
King County
Seattle, WA