Paralegal 3, Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Division, Olympia

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.

Position and Salary
The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Paralegal 3 in the Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and  is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Paralegal 3 (Range 59) salary range: $67,992 - $91,464
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend. 

The AGO provides a workplace that is understanding of work-life balance and promotes advancement by offering a wide variety of professional development and growth opportunities.

Excellent benefits
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance.  Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more. With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:

• Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
• A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
• Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ+, Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!

About the Children, Youth, and Families Division

The Children, Youth, and Families Division (CYF) is comprised of 34 attorneys and 31 professional staff who together provide legal advice and representation to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Staff in each Attorney General’s Office location handle litigation for DCYF, and the CYF Division has the responsibility for doing so locally, as well as coordinating this work for the AGO statewide and advising DCYF leadership.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Paralegal 3

This position works in an extremely collaborative team environment in the Juvenile Litigation Section of the Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Division to support the mission of the Attorney General’s Office and the division’s client agency, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The position provides staff management support and general litigation and docket support to the Juvenile Litigation Section, which handles child welfare cases. This position also serves as an active member of the division’s management team. 

Under direct supervision of the Administrative Operations Manager, duties of this position include but are not limited to: 

• Supervise a litigation support team including at a minimum one paralegal 2 and one paralegal 1.
• Coordinate and provide training to new and existing staff; regularly review the work of direct reports for consistency and quality and provide feedback as needed; coordinate with other Paralegal 3s and division’s section chief to assign and monitor work quantity and quality.
• Assist attorneys with general litigation support, including drafting petitions and motions, and providing weekly docket assistance during periods of high workload, staff absences, or when positions are vacant.
• Regularly work with the Administrative Office Manager and the Division Chief regarding information systems requirements and make recommendations regarding division litigation support software and hardware purchases. 
• In consultation with the Administrative Operations Manager, Division Chief and other division management team members, interview and recommend individuals for appointment or promotion.
• Address performance and interpersonal issues and take corrective action and recommend disciplinary actions effectively as needed.
• Design, create, and implement training manuals, modules, and course materials on litigation support and technology for division staff.
• Coordinate with section managers to plan, lead, manage, and delegate the section professional staff team’s workflow and attorney assignments.
• Independently generate queries in the matter management system and other applications as needed and assist in the preparation of regular reports upon request of Administrative Operations Manager, Division Chief, or JUV Section Chief.

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.

Required Qualifications

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens. 

Combination of six years of experience* through:

• Paralegal certification
• Two-year paralegal degree
• Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification,

and/or

• Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney

OR

• Two years’ experience as a Paralegal 2 in Washington State Service.

*Examples of paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney:

• Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence
• Ensuring and verifying timely and proper service of legal documents
• Calculating, verifying, and calendaring critical events and other dates
• Managing case documents, files and exhibits
• Tracking and organizing discovery documents
• Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy

Skills & Abilities

The most competitive candidates will possess the following skills and abilities:

Demonstrated Knowledge of and Experience in:

• Knowledge of Paralegal processes and procedures.
• Utilization of court systems, i.e., Odyssey, JIS/JABS, ACORDS, etc.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Suite and PDF applications.

Demonstrated Ability to:

• Effectively communicate in both written and verbal forms.
• Develop and implement training manuals and work processes.
• Develop internal operating procedures.
• Problem solve by identifying the problem, brainstorm and analyze answers, and implement the best solutions.
• Multi-task and/or shift priorities to conduct necessary business.
• Conduct effective meetings and trainings.
• Organize, prioritize, and manage a large number of projects and diversified work groups.
• Work independently.
• Advise staff on court procedures.
• Research and comply with state and agency policies and procedures.
• Effectively use and train others on Microsoft Office Suite applications, case management systems, and databases.

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General
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 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

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 and education.

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 Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
• The AGO complies with employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9, and the selected candidate for these roles, on the first day of employment, must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the Unities States consistent with the requirements of form I-9. In order to proceed in the consideration process at AGO, you will need to provide work authorization that would not require the AGO to sign a cooperative education agreement with a school.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation 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 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.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@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.