Administrative Services Intern

King County•Seattle, WA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Public Defense (DPD), within the Director’s Office, is recruiting student interns for an 8–10-week internship program beginning approximately in June 2026. This internship offers students a valuable opportunity to explore careers in public defense while gaining meaningful insight into and a deeper understanding of how the Department of Public Defense serves King County. In this role, interns will learn about the public defense system and the important work that goes into supporting client representation. Interns will assist with archiving, filing, and restocking closed case files, while also supporting the Director’s Office with a variety of administrative and operational projects. Interns will gain hands-on experience in areas such as office administration, case and document management, interdepartmental coordination, and professional communication. Students will have opportunities to learn alongside and collaborate with a diverse team of dedicated public defense professionals, including attorneys, public defense trainers, special counsel, operations staff, and human resources professionals. DPD is committed to creating meaningful learning experiences that welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. This is a rolling application and internship positions will remain open until filled. Interns are paid bi-weekly. These positions are subject to approved funding. This is a non-benefit eligible position. Approximately 5 internships are anticipated. The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity. DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings. DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework.

Requirements

Interest in a career in public defense and/or in public service.
Must be at least 16 years old when the program begins.
Must be enrolled in college or be a high school student in King County.
Must have reliable transportation.
Must commit to the duration of the assignment.
Must have the ability to work on-site, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and discretion involving highly sensitive matters at all times.
Be detail-oriented, organized, and use initiative to solve problems.
Demonstrated comfort with the use of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, email, and electronic record filing systems to create correspondence and send and receive information.
Experience operating standard office equipment including personal computer, copier, fax machines and multi-line telephone.
Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.
Interns must be King County residents.
Proof of current enrollment will be required upon hire.

Responsibilities

Perform general office functions such as answering phones, photocopying, e-mailing, and processing/distributing/routing incoming and outgoing mail.
Compose, draft, type, proofread, and edit documents.
Maintain security and confidentiality of highly sensitive communications.
Utilize various computer programs to maintain, update, enter, and retrieve data including MS Word, Outlook, and Excel programs.
Assist with special projects as needed and perform other duties as assigned.
Assist with archiving, filing, and restocking closed case files.
Support the Director’s Office with a variety of administrative and operational projects.