LEGAL ASSISTANT I - Family Support Division

About the Office

Snohomish County is in northwest Washington State between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.  Just 15 miles north of Seattle, the county is rich in scenery with abundant opportunities for outdoor activities and has a thriving economy.  It is a great place to live, work, raise a family, and play. https://snohomishcountywa.gov/

The Family Support Division of the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney's office represents the State of Washington in the Judicial establishment of paternity and child support, enforcement of child support orders, modification of existing child support orders, and representation of state interest in private dissolution, parentage and nonparental custody actions when tax dollars have been expended to support a child. 

Snohomish County offers a generous total compensation package. For example, total compensation for a full time first year legal assistant I is $88,069.00. This includes a gross annual salary of $58,569.00 and annual benefits with a current approximate value of $29,500.00. These benefits consist of medical, dental, vision, FICA, Medicare, Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave, PERS (pension), disability insurance, and a limited employer-matching contribution for deferred compensation plan. This position may qualify for school or federal student loan forgiveness programs.

  
In addition to these benefits, first-year employees receive 96 hours of annual paid sick leave, 96 hours of annual paid vacation leave, 16 additional hours of annual floating holiday leave, and 11 paid holidays.

 SELECTION PROCESS:
 1. Applications received
 2. Review for minimum qualifications
 3. SME Review of Supplemental Questions
 4. Interviews of most qualified applicants
 5. Second Interviews may be given at management's discretion
 6. Offer

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
Applicants are required to answer all of the supplemental questions.  Please answer the supplemental questions in detail.  They are scored based on the depth and range of experience you have for each activity/function.  
  
COVER LETTER AND RESUME
PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH A COVER LETTER OR RESUME TO YOUR APPLICATION.
 
SALARY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE
 The salary for this position is non-negotiable.  The successful applicant will earn the minimum salary, with yearly pay increases until the maximum salary in the pay range is reached.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be able to type at least 60 wpm. 

JOB OFFERS

Job offers are contingent on successful completion of employment verification and background checks.  Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States. For any questions, reach out to SHR-Talent@snoco.org. 

BASIC FUNCTION
     To perform a variety of legal secretarial duties.STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Prepares and types legal documents and correspondence; processes documents to meet legal requirements and deadlines; files documents with the various state, federal, and appellate courts, commissions and boards; forwards documents to other agencies/parties as necessary.
2. Sets up and maintains legal files and filing systems; files and retrieves information and materials as necessary.
3. Collects, opens, sorts and distributes mail; stuffs envelopes and addresses outgoing mail.
4. Enters data in case management system; proofs and corrects work entered; retrieves information from case management system or hard files.
5. Locates, reviews and retrieves information from various software systems.
6. Receives and directs incoming calls and/or visitors; determines their needs, answers questions, direct them to the proper area and furnishes documents as appropriate; places calls for attor­neys to secure information as requested.
7. Schedules appointments, meetings, conference rooms and makes travel arrangements as necessary.  Schedules court hearings, depositions and trials; and ensures all associated files for those events are available and complete.
8. Closes, scans and archives files; purges files of obsolete or incorrect information and performs special projects as directed.
9. Assists with the collection, documentation and tracking of discovery documents and digital media.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Collects and compiles data; prepares various reports and time sheets as necessary.
2. May perform all the duties of subordinate level employees.
3. Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
    One (1) year of legal secretarial experience; OR, the completion of an accredited legal secretarial or related program; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.  Must pass job related tests.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Washington State Driver's License may be required for employment.
• Typing of sixty (60) wpm is required.
  
  

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• legal terminology and legal document formats
• rules of civil and/or criminal procedure
• standard office practices and procedures and commonly used equipment;
• proper English, spelling, grammar, punctuation and word usage

Ability to:

• accurately and timely manage a high volume of work
• accurately prepare and process all types of legal documents
• type accurately
• maintain all ethical and professional standards of the office and county
• observe strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained in course of employment
• produce work product that meets professional standards of quality, neatness accuracy, and promptness
• deal tactfully and courteously with attorneys, judges and the general public
• maintain necessary records and prepare required documents/reports
• operate standard office equipment 
• communicate effectively and courteously
• work calmly under pressure, meet deadlines and cope with interruptions
• interact with distraught or difficult individuals
• set up and maintain office files

SUPERVISION
     Employees receive general supervision from a supervisor and/or an administrative superior as assigned. Assignments are made by indicat­ing generally what is to be done, the quantity of work expected and any deadlines, which are to be met. Employees carry out recurring as­signments on their own initiative and receive additional, specific in­structions for new or unusual assignments. Work may be checked to ensure timely completion and accuracy.  Work is evaluated through conferences, periodic reviews and written evaluations.

WORKING CONDITIONS
     The work is performed in an office environment. Criminal Division only – may work on cases containing violent or sexual subject matter.

Salary : $58,568 - $74,749