DPD is recruiting skilled paralegals, a fantastic position for someone with a passion for social and racial justice. Paralegals are integral members of the defense team, researching legal issues, reviewing cases, organizing evidence, drafting pleadings and motions, and communicating with clients, family members and others. They coordinate witnesses in advance of hearings and trials, assemble trial binders, obtain documents by subpoena, and more.

Salary: $69,368 to $88,358 + excellent benefits.

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 Coalition 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 Location
DPD employees enjoy a flexible, hybrid in-office/telecommute workplace structure, and this role should expect to work both remotely and, in the office. 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

Rotations of work location can occur based on business need, and placements may be made to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.

Job Duties

• Notify/inform witnesses, attorneys, and other parties of case status; coordinate parties and witnesses for hearings or trials; schedule interviews with attorneys and witnesses; set administrative hearings.
• Perform legal research on statutes and cases; gather facts, analyze data and review cases; conduct conflict of interest checks in cases assigned.
• Draft correspondence, pleadings, and motions; prepare hearing exhibits; prepare case files and assemble trial binders.
• Process and serve legal documents/subpoenas. Obtain documents by subpoena and other investigation and discovery methods.
• Develop and maintain caseload and case assignment tracking systems and databases. Update case files in our computerized case-management system.
• Assist at hearings.
• Serve as a liaison with clients, prosecutors, probation officers, bailiffs, judges, and criminal legal agencies.
• Support attorney time record-keeping and assist in the submission of hours; monitor progress of cases.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or a certification from an accredited paralegal training institution and three years of related experience, or any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Knowledge of the Guidelines for Criminal Defense adopted by the Washington State Bar Association.
• Knowledge of the role of the attorney-client relationship and the requirement to adhere to the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Knowledge of civil and criminal law and terminology, court rules and procedures. Knowledge of legal research methods and practices.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
• Ability to provide support in the building of a strong attorney/client relationship. Knowledge of general office procedures, equipment, and administration.
• Advanced skills in writing pleadings, motions, and briefs.
• Ability to ensure work performed conforms with prevailing professional standards and applicable statutes and county policy.
• Skill in handling multiple competing priorities, sensitive situations, and crisis situations, and an ability to function well under time pressure.
• Skill in interpreting complex legal documents, instruments, regulations, and laws. Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Skill in using office software programs, including word processing (MS Word), spreadsheet (MS Excel), database software, proprietary case management systems, and email (MS Outlook).
• A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

ALSO DESIRED:

• Lived experience involving the criminal legal system.

Forms and Materials Required

1. An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment (or more to include all relevant experience).
2. A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
3. A resume.
4. A short self-authored writing sample (in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format) prepared for this selection process.

For more information, contact:
Falisha Forgash
Human Resource Analyst
fforgash@kingcounty.gov

Visit King County’s career page for more information or to apply. Position closes at midnight on Jan. 22, 2023.