Paralegal 2 | Children, Youth, and Families Division | Olympia

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full-time Paralegal 2 in the Children, Youth, and Families Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). The Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Division is comprised of 34 attorneys and 31 professional staff who together provide advice and representation to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Staff in each Attorney General’s Office location handle litigation for DCYF, and the CYF Division has the responsibility for doing so locally, as well as coordinating this work for the AGO statewide and advising DCYF leadership. This position works within a highly collaborative team environment in the Juvenile Litigation (JUV) section, supporting the mission of the Attorney General’s Office and the division’s client agency, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. This paralegal will assist our Juvenile Litigation AAGs with trial preparation, collaborating and coordinating all aspects of the process. Under the direct supervision of the Paralegal 3 Supervisor, the duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: Collaborate with AAGs in developing legal strategy, and analyzing, selecting, and summarizing documents to identify information relevant to factual or legal issues. Trial preparation, to include identifying, locating, organizing, and preparing exhibits and trial notebooks for dependency and termination of parental rights trial. Attend litigation meetings, and when necessary, set team meetings to provide case status and determine how to proceed with critical deadlines. As required, serve as liaison with opposing counsel on the development of a discovery plan related to the production of electronic and paper discovery. Independently investigate facts of cases, research, recommend, and interview potential witnesses. Independently review matters referred from our client agency and independently contact the client to obtain additional factual information and evidence in support of the case, draft pleadings, memoranda, affidavits and correspondence necessitated by litigation. Serve as initial point of contact for client, opposing counsel, pro se litigants and/or courts; provide case information, schedule hearings, obtain information for attorney, if necessary. Confer with litigation experts; coordinate meetings between experts, clients, counsel, and other parties. This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Requirements

Combination of four years of experience through: Paralegal certification, Two-year paralegal degree, Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification, and/or Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney OR One year experience as a Paralegal 1 in Washington State Service.
Applicable paraprofessional experience gained through previous Paralegal or Legal Assistant work.
Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence
Ensuring and verifying timely and proper service of legal documents
Calculating, verifying, and calendaring critical events and other dates
Managing case documents, files and exhibits
Tracking and organizing discovery documents
Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated Knowledge of and Experience in: Knowledge of Paralegal processes and procedures
Experience in all components of trial preparation
Experience in state and federal courts filing procedures
Utilization of court systems, i.e., Odyssey, JIS/JABS
Understand the components of electronic discovery processes
Demonstrated Ability to: Effectively communicate in both written and verbal forms
Ability to problem solve and implement decision-making skills in the daily performance of work assignments
Multi-task and/or shift priorities to conduct necessary business
Work independently
Research and comply with state and agency policies and procedures
Effectively use Microsoft Office Suite applications, case management systems, and data bases

Responsibilities

Collaborate with AAGs in developing legal strategy, and analyzing, selecting, and summarizing documents to identify information relevant to factual or legal issues.
Trial preparation, to include identifying, locating, organizing, and preparing exhibits and trial notebooks for dependency and termination of parental rights trial.
Attend litigation meetings, and when necessary, set team meetings to provide case status and determine how to proceed with critical deadlines.
Serve as liaison with opposing counsel on the development of a discovery plan related to the production of electronic and paper discovery.
Independently investigate facts of cases, research, recommend, and interview potential witnesses.
Independently review matters referred from our client agency and independently contact the client to obtain additional factual information and evidence in support of the case, draft pleadings, memoranda, affidavits and correspondence necessitated by litigation.
Serve as initial point of contact for client, opposing counsel, pro se litigants and/or courts; provide case information, schedule hearings, obtain information for attorney, if necessary.
Confer with litigation experts; coordinate meetings between experts, clients, counsel, and other parties.

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
Infants in the Workplace Program
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.