Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Join an agency whose work impacts the lives of every resident of Washington State.

The Attorney General’s 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 state’s 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 AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2021 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.
Position and Division Information

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Paralegal 2 in the Labor and Industries Section, located in Tacoma, Washington. This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Note: There is the possibility of an in-training from the Paralegal 1 level.

Salary

The salary listed above is for the Paralegal 2 level. Applicants qualifying at the Paralegal 1 level will start at a salary range 50 ($49,404 - $64,788 annually) and after successful completion of the in-training will move to the Paralegal 2 range.

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.

The work of the Labor and Industries (L&I) division tracks the missions of its client agency. This work includes litigation and client advice involving: workers’ compensation benefits for workers (e.g. wage replacement, medical care, vocational retraining, and permanent disability awards); questions about fair wages and workplace conditions; safe work environments; contractor and building issues; crime victim claims; and a myriad of issues for Washington workers and employers.

Working in the L&I division frequently involves fast-paced, high volume litigation with numerous expert and lay witnesses. On average, the division handles more than 500 disputed appeals on industrial insurance claims per month, and the cases present complex medical, vocational and legal issues. Approximately 35 percent of these appeals are resolved by paralegals through a mediation process. In fiscal year 2006, individual attorney caseloads represented $358 million in exposure to the state’s industrial insurance funds. Division attorneys also represent L&I in regulatory actions and provide client advice. Attorneys practice before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and in the superior courts. There is also a significant volume of appellate work. The work is challenging and important to the welfare of the state.

Duties

What does a Paralegal 2do?

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Locating, organizing, reviewing and redacting documents obtained during investigation and litigation;

• Using computer databases to assist in the organization and prosecution of complex litigation;

• Locating, researching, contacting, and interviewing potential fact and expert witnesses;

• Composing initial drafts of pleadings, and preparing proposed orders;

• Identifying and preparing exhibits;

• Drafting declarations;

• Drafting and responding to discovery requests;

• Assisting with legal research, case cite checking, ensuring compliance with all local rules, and proofreading;

• Assisting attorneys in preparing for deposition, assisting at deposition, and preparing deposition summaries;

• Assisting in trial preparation and trial through preparation of exhibits, management of witnesses, and serving as the primary point person on courtroom technology;

• Reviewing court filings, calendaring critical events in a case management system, and working with legal assistants to ensure all dates are properly calendared.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Option 1: Graduation from an accredited two-year paralegal program plus two years’ experience as a paralegal.

Option 2: Graduation from an accredited four-year college and completion of a nine-month paralegal program plus one year experience as a paralegal.

Option 3: Three years’ experience as a paralegal.

Option 4: Two years as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State service.

To qualify at the Paralegal 1 level:

Option 1: Two years’ experience as a paralegal;

Option 2: Graduation from an accredited two-year paralegal course;

Option 3: Graduation from an accredited four-year college and completion of a nine-month paralegal program or one year paralegal experience.

Option 4: Three years’ experience as a legal secretary/legal assistant and 30 quarter or equivalent semester hours in non-secretarial legal courses which are normally part of a paralegal course at a college or community college.

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Per AGO Policy, employees and volunteers of the AGO must be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. Effective March 14, 2022, the AGO announced pursuant to its policy, that employees and volunteers must also receive a booster shot as a condition of employment. Employees or volunteers who are not eligible to receive the booster before their start date, due to required waiting times after receiving their initial vaccine(s), must provide confirmation of the vaccine type and date received so the AGO can calculate the date by which they must receive the booster. If you are selected to serve within the AGO as an employee or volunteer, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination and booster (if already received) before you are able to begin work. You may request an accommodation if you are unable to meet the requirement due to a medical or religious necessity.

Applicants or candidates being considered for employment shall not share their vaccination status with hiring managers or interview panels.

Supplemental Information