Legal Assistant 4 with in-training, Torts Division, Attorney General's Office



Job Details

Legal Assistant 4 with in-training, Torts Division, Attorney General's Office
Employer

State of Washington

Salary

$3,436.00 - $4,506.00 Monthly

Location

Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2018-05091

Department

Dept. of Agriculture

division

Torts - Olympia

Opening Date

05/18/2018

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

Standard header verbiage - 10Oct

Description verified and added as part of bug verification and testing as mentioned in description i



This position will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied. First review of applications is expected to occur on 5/31/2018 and will be ongoing. It is in the applicants' best interest to submit their application materials as early as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. This job posting may be closed at any time without notice.
 
Agency Information
 
The AGO serves more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor.  The mission of the Office is to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to officials, agencies, and citizens of the state of Washington.  The Office is comprised of over 550 attorneys and 700 professional staff.  Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. It is the recognition, respect, and appreciation of all cultures and backgrounds and the fostering of 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.  The core values of the AGO are served by a strong commitment to the value of diversity and by promoting an inclusive workplace.  

For more information about the AGO, we encourage you to review the Office's newest Annual Report which can be found HERE.
 
Do you want to be a part of a diverse team that is making a difference? View our VIDEO to learn more about the Washington State Attorney General's Office. 
 
The Opportunity
 
The Attorney General's Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Legal Assistant 4 in the Torts Division. This position is located in Tumwater, Washington. Note: There is the possibility of an in-training from the Legal Assistant 3 level.
 
The Torts Division defends tort claims and lawsuits against all state agencies, officers and employees.  The majority of cases are based on actions brought under theories of liability for state actions such as highway design, release of inmates, injuries on state property, medical malpractice, employment, child care and custody, auto accidents, maritime injuries, false arrests and unreasonable force. Tort attorneys also provide legal and risk management advice to the Office of Financial Management and state agencies on tort matters.

Salary
 
The salary listed above is for the Legal Assistant 4 level.  Applicants qualifying at the Legal Assistant 3 level will start at a salary range 44 ($37,476 - $49,020 annually) and after successful completion of the in-training will move to the Legal Assistant 4 range.

 

Responsibilities

This position serves as the lead Legal Assistant for the DOC team in the Torts Division, supervising legal assistant and clerical staff, providing principal litigation secretarial support for the team leader and paralegal support as required or assigned.
 
This position works in a team environment to support the Attorney General's Office mission to provide professional, ethical, and independent legal services to the State of Washington and its citizens, promoting respect for an access to the justice system, ensuring the fair and open exercise of government and advancing the public interest.
 
Essential functions of this position include:
 

  • Provide legal secretarial support to the team leader
  • Supervise and trial team secretarial and office assistant staff.
  • Prepare legal documents using PC at a production rate not less than 40 wpm.
  • Receive and review legal documents, properly docket, determine and calculate critical events, and route to the appropriate person.
In addition, this position performs entry level paralegal duties approximately 25% of the time.

Qualifications

To qualify at the Legal Assistant 4 level:
 
Option 1: High School diploma or equivalent and five years of experience in a legal environment in support of an attorney, administrative law judge(s), review judge(s) or equivalent including at least two years of supervising, leading, mentoring, coaching or training experience;
 
Option 2: One year as a Legal Assistant 3;
 
Option 3: A combination of six years of college education and/or relevant experience including at least two years of supervising, leading, mentoring, coaching or training experience.
 
To qualify at the Legal Assistant 3 level:
 
Option 1: High School diploma or equivalent and four years of experience in a legal environment in support of an attorney, administrative law judge(s), review judge(s) or equivalent;
 
Option 2: One year as a Legal Assistant 2;
 
Option 3: A two-year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal Studies or related field of study plus 2 years of legal office experience.
 
A Bachelor's degree may substitute for the Legal Secretary or Paralegal degree.

Supplemental Information

Applicants for legal assistant positions with the Attorney General's Office are required to take a skills assessment prior to appointment in our agency.
 
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
 
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:
 

  • A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
  • A current resume detailing experience, education, and current salary.
 
READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:
 
  • Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
  • You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
  • The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the "work experience" and "education" sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
  • A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
  • All information may be verified and documentation may be required.
 
The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
 
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring this announcement in an alternative format may contact Tracy Robinson at (360) 586-7693 or Washington Relay Service at (800) 676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
 
For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Judith Vandergeest at (360) 586-7691 or judithv@atg.wa.gov.
 
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com

Standard footer verbiage - 10Oct

More than Just a Paycheck!
 
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

 
Read about our benefits:
 
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.

Insurance Benefits
 
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.  There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.  Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.  Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.  To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.
 
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
 
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
 
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
 
Vacation (Annual Leave)
 
You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.
 
Holidays
 
Full-time employees are entitled to eleven* paid holidays:
 
HOLIDAY
DATE
 
New Year's Day
January 1
 
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday
Third Monday in January
 
Presidents' Day
Third Monday in February
 
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
 
Independence Day
July 4
 
Labor Day
First Monday in September
 
Veterans' Day
November 11
 
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
 
Christmas Day
December 25
 
Personal Holiday
Employee's selection each calendar year

*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
 
Social Security
 
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
 
Sick Leave
 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.
 
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.

01
1000allClassified. Have you been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony within the past ten (10) years? (Answering yes will not automatically bar you from employment.)
  • Yes
  • No
02
(1000) 425H - Experience: Which of the following best describes your experience with and/or training in performing legal secretarial work?
  • High school diploma or equivalent and five years of experience in a legal environment in support of an attorney(s), administrative law judge(s), industrial insurance appeals judge(s), review judge(s) or equivalent including at least two years of supervising, leading, mentoring, coaching or training experience
  • One year as a Legal Assistant 3
  • A two-year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal Studies or related field of study plus 3 years of legal office experience including at least two years of supervising, leading, mentoring, coaching or training experience.
  • A Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of legal office experience including at least two years of supervising, leading, mentoring, coaching or training experience.
  • I do not have the education and/or experience listed in any of the above options.
03
(1000) 425H-1: Which of the following best describes your experience verifying the accuracy of and formatting legal citations?
  • I have no training or experience in working legal citations but I am willing to learn.
  • I have training in how to verify and format legal citations but do not have any job experience doing so.
  • I have typed legal citations on the job when they were written out for me.
  • I have experience verifying and formatting legal citations and can do so independently.
  • I have the above experience and I have provided formal training or instruction to others in verifying and formatting legal citations.
04
(1000) 425H-2: Which of the following best describes your experience using electronic calendaring software (e.g., Microsoft Outlook) for scheduling appointments and events?
  • I have no experience with electronic calendars but I am willing to learn.
  • I have some training or experience with calendar software but I may require additional training/experience.
  • I have used an electronic calendar program but not in a legal/law office environment
  • I have used an electronic calendar program in a legal/law office environment and can do so independently.
  • I have the above experience and I have provided training to others in the use of this type of software.
05
(1000) 425H-3: Which of the following best describes your experience preparing legal documents such as discovery responses, appellate briefs, tables of contents, and tables of authority, including applying rules regarding content, order of presentation, formatting, page limitations, etc?
  • I do not have this type of experience nor any related training but I am willing to learn.
  • I have received training in preparing these types of documents but have no job experience.
  • I have utilized templates to prepare these types of documents.
  • I have created these types of documents without an existing template, per instructions from an attorney or paralegal, and can do so independently
  • I have the above experience and I have provided formal training or instruction to others in the preparation of these types of documents.
06
(1000) 425H-4: How many of these five word processing functions can you readily demonstrate: (1) setting margins; (2) formatting documents; (3) working with columns and tables; (4) developing, running, and managing macros; or (5) adding cross references?
  • None, but I am willing to learn.
  • 1-3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 4 or 5 and I have provided training to others on these functions.
07
(1000) 425H-5: How many of these five word processing functions can you readily demonstrate: (1) moving text; (2) finding and replacing text; (3) creating, enhancing, and organizing forms; (4) creating tables of contents and/or tables of authority; or (5) setting up tracking feature parameters for reviewing documents?
  • None, but I am willing to learn.
  • 1-3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 4 or 5 and I have provided training to others on these functions.
08
(1000) 425H-6: Which of the following best describes your experience in a job that required knowledge of legal terminology in order to read and understand legal documents, and produce written and oral communication using legal terms (e.g., subpoena, deposition, interrogatories?)
  • I have not worked in this type of environment nor do I have any training in legal terminology but I am willing to learn.
  • I have worked in a job that required the usage of legal terms but I may require additional training/experience.
  • I have worked in a job that required the usage of legal terms for less than two years.
  • I have worked in a job that required the usage of legal terms for more than two years.
  • I have worked in this type of job for at least two years and have provided formal training or instruction to others in the usage of legal terms on the job.
09
(1000) 425H-7: Which of the following best describes your experience as a supervisor or a lead worker? (Supervisory experience includes hiring, disciplining, assigning, monitoring and evaluating the work of others. Lead worker experience is only assigning and monitoring the work of others.)
  • I have not been in a supervisory or lead position but I am willing to learn.
  • I have been the lead over a group of co-workers but I have not had the opportunity yet to be a supervisor.
  • I have supervised one person for less than a year.
  • I have supervised one person for more than a year or two or more individuals for less than a year.
  • I have supervised two or more individuals for more than a year.
10
(1000) 425H-8: Which of the following best describes your job experience revising and correcting business or legal documents for grammar, punctuation, tone and accuracy?
  • I do not have this type of experience nor any related training but I am willing to learn.
  • I have training or experience in revising/correcting these types of documents but not in a legal/law office.
  • I have job experience revising and correcting these types of documents in a legal/law office but I may require additional training/experience.
  • I have revised/corrected these types of documents in a legal/law office and can do so independently.
  • I have the above experience and I have provided formal training or instruction to others in revising/correcting these types of documents.
11
(1000) 425H-9: Which of the following best describes your experience locating and reading legal documents such as client correspondence, court filings, statues, and court rules?
  • I do not have this type of experience nor any related training but I am willing to learn.
  • I have received training in locating and reading these types of documents but have no job experience doing so.
  • I have job experience locating and reading these types of documents but I may require additional training/experience.
  • I have located and read these types of documents and can do so independently.
  • I have the above experience and I have provided formal training or instruction to others in locating and reading these types of documents.
12
(1000) 425H-10: Which of the following best describes your experience using legal research tools (e.g., Westlaw, reference texts) to locate cases and verify case histories?
  • I do not have any training or experience conducting this type of legal research but I am willing to learn.
  • I have received training in conducting this type of research but have no job experience doing so.
  • I have job experience conducting this type of research but I may require additional training/experience.
  • I have conducted this type of legal research many times and can do so independently.
  • I have the above experience and I have provided formal training/instruction to others in conducting this type of legal research.
13
(1000) 425H-11: Which of the following best describes your experience determining the appropriate court rules/procedures and processing documents according to court rules?
  • I do not have any training or experience with these activities but I am willing to learn.
  • I have received training in conducting these activities but have no job experience doing so.
  • I have job experience conducting these activities but I may require additional training/experience.
  • I have conducted these activities many times and can do so independently.
  • I have the above experience and I have provided formal training or instruction to others in conducting these activities.
14
(1000) 425H-12: How many of these functions can you readily demonstrate using case management software: (1) creating records/matters; (2) entering data; (3) finding records; and (4) running queries and reports?
  • None, but I am willing to learn
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
15
(1000) 425H-13: Which of the following best describes your experience creating deposition or case summaries to capture the key points and implications?
  • I do not have any training or experience in creating these types of documents but I am willing to learn.
  • I have received training in creating these types of documents but have no job experience preparing them.
  • I have created these types of documents on the job but I may require additional training/experience.
  • I have created these types of documents many times and can do so independently.
  • I have provided formal training or instruction to others in the creation of these types of documents.
16
(1000) 425H-14: Which of the following best describes your experience establishing and maintaining case files and ensuring that documents (e.g., pleadings, reports) are filed appropriately?
  • I do not have this type of experience nor any related training but I am willing to learn.
  • I have received training in maintaining case files but have no job experience.
  • I have maintained files, but not case files in a legal office.
  • I have maintained case files in a legal office and can do so independently.
  • I have the above experience and I have provided formal training or instruction to others in maintaining case files
17
(1000) 425H-15: How many of the following activities related to supervision have you been responsible for: (1) Recommending individuals for hire after the assessment process: (2) Evaluating employee performance; (3) Counseling employees regarding their performance and developing improvement plans; (4) Assigning and monitoring the work of others; (5) Coaching and mentoring others; and (6) Developing performance expectations of others?
  • None, but I am willing to learn.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • All six
18
1000allClassified: Have you participated, whether as an attorney, paralegal, legal assistant, or in any other capacity, in the representation of any party in a matter where the party's interest was materially adverse to that of the State, its agencies, or its officers or employees? If yes, please identify all such matters, including the parties to the matter, the court and cause number of the matter, and your role in the matter. If no, please enter N/A. If you require additional space, please attach additional sheets and indicate your attachment here.
19
1000allClassified: Have you participated as a judge, arbitrator, mediator, adjudicative officer, or as a law clerk to such a person, in a matter in which the State or any of its agencies, officers, or employees were a party? If yes, please identify all such matters, including the parties to the matter, the court and cause number of the matter, and your role in the matter. If no, please enter N/A. If you require additional space, please attach additional sheets and indicate your attachment here.
20
1000allClassified: Is there any other matter, person, entity, or personal interest that might present a conflict of interest or otherwise limit your ability to perform work for the Attorney General's Office or represent a state agency, officer, or employee? If yes, please identify such matters, persons, entities, or personal interests with sufficient detail to allow the Attorney General's Office to understand the nature of the potential conflict of interest. You are not required to disclose any pending or contemplated complaint or dispute for which the law allows you to remain anonymous; however, you are responsible for not accepting assignments that would violate conflict of interest or confidentiality provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct or other laws with regard to such matters. If no, please enter N/A. If you require additional space, please attach additional sheets and indicate your attachment here.
21
1000allClassified. Where did you hear about our job opening?

* Required Question

Employer
State of Washington
Phone
49316039

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