Legal Assistant 1, Social & Health Services Division, Olympia

State of Washington•Tumwater, WA

50d•$45,024 - $60,132•Hybrid

About The Position

The Attorney General's Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Legal Assistant 1 in the Insert Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Legal Assistant 1 (Range 42) salary range: $45,024 - $60,132 (Effective 7/1/2025) 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 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 Social & Health Services - Olympia Division: Our team of 44 attorneys and 28 professional staff works at the heart of Washington's social safety net. We provide legal support for five state agencies, including the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Health Care Authority (HCA), to provide benefits, protection, and care to some of our state's most vulnerable and disenfranchised residents. Our cases range from large federal court class action cases to individual administrative appeals. Our recent cases include challenges to state employee health benefits programs and a challenge to the adequacy of the state's mental health services. We also handle a wide range of legal matters, including: Seeking protections for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse or neglect; Defending lawsuits brought by legal advocacy groups organizations on behalf of Medicaid recipients and individuals with disabilities; Complex civil rights challenges by residents of the Special Commitment Center for sexually violent predators; Civil and felony commitment hearings and trials; Contract disputes with medical providers and managed care organizations; and Appeals related to eligibility for medical services. Our division is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive workplace. We prioritize employee growth through a culture that recognizes hard work and provides active support for career advancement. Regular social events help us connect and strengthen our collaborative team dynamic - join us!

Requirements

Option 1: High School diploma or equivalent and two years of clerical experience including a minimum of one year of experience in a legal environment;
Option 2: Two years of legal office experience;
Option 3: A combination of three years of college education and/or relevant experience;
Option 4: A two year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal studies or related field of study.

Responsibilities

Create new matters upon receipt of case documents from various sources within the division, and follow the applicable opening process as determined by division and section procedures.
Enter required case information by reviewing and extracting data from legal pleadings and client agency documents.
Create captions and certificates of service for new matters in accordance with federal, state, and local rules, ensuring the proper parties, their roles, and contact information are included.
Generate basic pleadings upon request, under the direction of attorneys or paralegals. These documents include Notice of Appearance, Notice of Intent to Withdrawal, Notice of Association of Counsel, releases, subpoenas, and correspondence requesting records.
Print, mail, and file legal documents as requested, either by mail or electronic filing, following direction from paralegals for the appropriate court.
Answer and screen telephone calls from the public, other state agencies, courts, clients, and attorneys, exercising discretion in referring calls to the appropriate attorney or professional staff, and taking messages as needed.
Receive, scan, distribute, and docket incoming mail and legal deliveries for SHO. Process outgoing mail as directed, utilizing USPS, FedEx, and Legal Messenger Services. Perform in-person filing and mail deliveries at the request of attorneys and/or paralegals.

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 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