Legal Assistant 1 part time (50%), Transportation and Public Construction Division, Tumwater

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent part time (50%) Legal Assistant 1 in the Transportation and Public Construction Division. This position is located in Tumwater, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). About the Transportation and Public Construction Division: The Transportation and Public Construction (TPC) division represents many state agency clients including the Washington State Department of Transportation as it designs, constructs, operates, and maintains Washington's highway system, and other multi-modal transportation operations (Washington State Ferries, rail, aviation, freight transport, public transportation, and more). Division attorneys use their experience in eminent domain, contracts, construction, land use, and environmental law to support state agencies, including the Department of Enterprise Services, Military, Emergency Management, Washington Technology Solutions. The division also provides representation to numerous boards and commissions, including the Washington Transportation Commission, Board of Pilotage Commissioners, County Road Administration Board, Transportation Improvement Board, Washington Traffic Safety Commission, and Recreation and Conservation Office. TPC's workload includes a mix of moderate to complex litigation and client advice on a comprehensive range of issues, including providing legal advice to elected officials. The division’s legal professional staff are engaged in challenging and interesting work based on our wide variety of cases and topics. Teamwork and professional growth opportunities are encouraged and supported. The TPC division fosters a collegial atmosphere and provides internal training and mentoring for its personnel. Duties and Essential Functions of a Legal Assistant 1 This position supports the organization’s mission by providing legal secretarial support to the TPC division. Responsibilities include processing accounts payable invoices, preparing consultant contracts, preparing pleadings and other correspondence, docketing, filing and service of documents with the court and other parties. This position works as part of a team consisting of attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants. Provides a broad scope of secretarial, clerical and legal services requiring knowledge of legal terminology, department policies, and status of matters in progress. This position is the assigned division contact for litigation consultant contracts. Reviews invoices for correct contract information and enters required data into Filevine (FV). Obtains approving signatures from appropriate division attorney and processes invoices for payment. Tracks the status of contracts, monitors expiration dates, and balances of contracts. Communicates with consultants, client agencies and attorneys to ensure contracts comply with AGO guidelines; and resolves general billing issues. Independently and accurately, create and proofread routine legal correspondence and legal documents. Prepare contracts, reports, and file pleadings in various administrative venues, federal, superior, appellate or supreme courts. Process and transmit vendor invoices and invoice vouchers in conformance with the agency-established coding system and financial procedures. Make travel arrangements for staff and process reimbursements related to those arrangements. Close and prepare files for archiving according to the Washington Secretary of State Records Retention Schedule. Maintain physical and electronic files, using Microsoft Outlook calendars, FV and LawToolBox. Keep attorneys informed of upcoming deadlines. Schedule meetings for attorneys. Prepare and distribute Critical Event and New Case Reports. 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.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent and two years of clerical experience including a minimum of one year of experience in a legal environment
Two years of legal office experience
A combination of three years of college education and/or relevant experience
A two year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal studies or related field of study
Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills: Word: Edit documents and templates. Format margins, spacing, and headings. Outlook: Draft and reply to emails. Basic calendar management. Excel: Edit spreadsheets with basic formulas.

Responsibilities

Processing accounts payable invoices
Preparing consultant contracts
Preparing pleadings and other correspondence
Docketing, filing and service of documents with the court and other parties
Reviews invoices for correct contract information and enters required data into Filevine (FV)
Obtains approving signatures from appropriate division attorney and processes invoices for payment
Tracks the status of contracts, monitors expiration dates, and balances of contracts
Communicates with consultants, client agencies and attorneys to ensure contracts comply with AGO guidelines; and resolves general billing issues
Independently and accurately, create and proofread routine legal correspondence and legal documents
Prepare contracts, reports, and file pleadings in various administrative venues, federal, superior, appellate or supreme courts
Process and transmit vendor invoices and invoice vouchers in conformance with the agency-established coding system and financial procedures
Make travel arrangements for staff and process reimbursements related to those arrangements
Close and prepare files for archiving according to the Washington Secretary of State Records Retention Schedule
Maintain physical and electronic files, using Microsoft Outlook calendars, FV and LawToolBox
Keep attorneys informed of upcoming deadlines
Schedule meetings for attorneys
Prepare and distribute Critical Event and New Case Reports

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s)
Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave
11 Paid Holidays per year
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans
Life Insurance
Dependent Care Assistance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Tuition Waiver
Deferred Compensation
Employee Recognition Leave
Flexible schedules
part-time/hybrid telework options
A Wellness Program
an Infants in the Workplace Program
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.