Paralegal 1 - Regional Services Division - Vancouver, WA

State of Washington•Clark County – Vancouver, WA

About The Position

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General is recruiting for a permanent, full-time Paralegal 1 in the Regional Services Division’s Vancouver office. The role provides paraprofessional support to Assistant Attorneys General in litigation, trial preparation, and civil and appellate court practice. The position works in a team environment supporting juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in five counties. The Vancouver office is located downtown and includes attorneys and professional staff. The Vancouver office represents the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in juvenile dependency litigation and foster care and child care provider licensing; the Department of Social and Health Services in adult family home and boarding home licensing; the Department of Labor and Industries in workers’ compensation matters; Lower Columbia College, Clark College, and Educational Service District 112; and the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss and the Washington State School for the Blind. The Attorney General’s Office provides independent and ethical legal services to Washington state agencies and protects the rights of Washington residents. It serves more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges, and universities, as well as the Legislature and Governor.

Requirements

Three years of combined experience through paralegal certification, a two-year paralegal degree, paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post-BA) certification, and/or paraprofessional experience supporting an attorney.
Applicable paraprofessional experience may include previous Paralegal or Legal Assistant work.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of paralegal processes and procedures.
Experience in trial preparation.
Experience with state and federal court filing procedures.
Experience using court systems such as Odyssey and JIS/JABS.
Effective written and verbal communication.
Ability to problem-solve and use decision-making skills in daily work.
Ability to multitask and shift priorities as needed.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to research and comply with state and agency policies and procedures.
Effective use of Microsoft Office Suite applications, case management systems, and databases.

Responsibilities

Analyze facts.
Compose documents and pleadings.
Schedule and/or interview witnesses.
Research legal issues and evaluate case facts.
Coordinate preparation for litigation.
Track cases from summons through trial.
Draft legal notices.
Provide paraprofessional support in juvenile dependency and termination of parental rights cases for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in five counties.
Apply knowledge of court rules related to legal practice, subject matter, and court filing procedures in civil and appellate matters.