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.
Position and Salary
The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Paralegal 3 in the Torts Section of the Christine O. Gregoire Spokane Division. This position is located in Spokane, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Paralegal 3 Salary Range 59: $64,092 - $86,208.
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:

• Legal Assistant 2 incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location will receive an additional 15% Assignment Pay.
• Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.
• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

• 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!

The Torts Section of the Spokane Division defends tort claims and lawsuits against all state agencies, officers and employees. The majority of the 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. With such a diverse practice our professional staff are continuously engaged in challenging and interesting work. Opportunities to learn and achieve professional growth through experience, mentorship and training are encouraged and supported.

The Spokane Division strives to consistently exemplify AGO core values, i.e., to deliver high quality legal services; conduct ourselves with integrity, professionalism, civility, and transparency; and promote a collegial and diverse workplace that values, respects, and supports our employees.

Duties

What does a Paralegal 3 do?
You will partner with Assistant Attorneys General by:

• Initiate and compose formal discovery requests directed to plaintiff(s) and other parties. Review and prepare responses to formal discovery requests. Manage voluminous discovery, including use of electronic discovery databases and supporting tools.
• Analyze facts of cases; identify legal issues; develop rapport with, secure cooperation from, and interview potential fact and expert witnesses.
• Independently create comprehensive, concise computerized reports outlining the evidence to include the evaluation and analysis of the evidence for relevance, credibility, authenticity, and admissibility.
• Identify possible witnesses and other possible sources of informatin and evidence; maintain contact with witnesses and clients.
• Prepare for and participate at mediation and trial. Prepare and manage witnesses, documentary evidence, electronic exhibits, and demonstrative evidence.
• Independently compose letters, draft pleadings and other documents for litigation; Conduct legal, medical, and other technical research for review by trial attorneys, including use of Westlaw and other resources.
• Coordinate work with experts, including communications to retain experts, manage contracts, and securely provide records.
• This position is also a supervisory position and will supervise Paralegal 2’s in the Torts Section as well as being a part of the Spokane Management Team. As a supervisor this position will need to work with other programmatic divisions as well as Spokane staff to evaluate professional staff in the performance of their assigned duties as well as providing training and coaching as needed. This position will also provide paralegal assistance to one or more attorneys. This position functions at a high level of independence in performing substantive paralegal work which, absent the paralegal, would be performed by an Assistant Attorney General.

Qualifications

Combination of five years of experience through paralegal certification, two-year paralegal degree, and/or paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney.
OR
Three years’ experience as a Paralegal 2 in Washington State Service.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information
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.

• 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.