Paralegal I/ Family Advocate (Internal Applicants Only)

King County•Multiple locations in King County, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Paralegal I/Family Advocate provides administrative support to Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) unit deputies and immediate crisis intervention to families and vulnerable witnesses, prioritizing safety. The role initiates contact with patients’ family members upon receipt of discovery or a petition, supports them throughout ITA proceedings, explains the legal process, responds to questions and concerns, and keeps them informed about court hearings, case status, and outcomes. The position consults and coordinates regularly with prosecutors, conveying families’ concerns, needs, input, willingness to assist with prosecution, and relevant information gathered through family contact. It also helps families address emotional and physical needs, develop safety plans, access community resources, and prepare for court testimony. The advocate may inform and refer families regarding civil protection orders and extreme risk protection orders, communicate a hospital “Duty to Warn” when applicable, and explain HIPAA requirements and patient release-of-information processes. The role builds relationships with hospitals and other justice-system partners, assists the paralegal team with PBK input and duties as needed, responds to calls and emails, and supports supervisors and staff. It also includes participation in PAO equity work and related trainings and discussions. This position is open only to current King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office employees who have served and passed their six-month probation period in their current position.

Requirements

Must be a current King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office employee and have served and passed the six-month probation period in the current position.
Knowledge of civil, appellate, and criminal law terminology, court rules, and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to work with people in crisis.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate professionally and effectively with individuals and groups.
Considerable knowledge of local related community resources.
Skill in working with diverse populations.
Ability to exercise independent initiative and judgment while also functioning as a team player.
Ability to problem-solve and identify needed procedural and policy changes.
Demonstrated ability to manage voluminous and sensitive caseloads.
Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
Ability to accept supervision and feedback.
Skill in performing in a fast-paced environment with a high-volume caseload.
Computer skills, including Word and Excel; office equipment skills, including phone, fax, and copier; and organizational skills.
Attention to detail, a low error rate, and ability to multitask and manage frequent interruptions in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to comply with confidentiality requirements.
Support for the PAO’s Race, Equity and Social Justice policy and principles, and ability to work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement.

Nice To Haves

PBK skills.
Proficiency in Spanish, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Shanghai, or other), Dari, Russian, and/or Vietnamese. Sufficient language proficiency must be demonstrated to qualify for the bilingual premium pay of $1 per hour for hours worked.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative support to ITA unit deputies and immediate crisis intervention to families and vulnerable witnesses, prioritizing safety.
Initiate contact with family members upon receipt of discovery or a petition and maintain contact throughout ITA proceedings.
Respond to families’ questions and concerns, explain the ITA process, and communicate court hearings, case status, and outcomes.
Use crisis intervention, case management, and de-escalation techniques, and develop coordinated safety plans with family members and vulnerable witnesses as needed.
Assist families with emotional and physical needs and connect them with community resources and service providers.
Inform and refer family members and vulnerable witnesses regarding civil protection orders and extreme risk protection orders as needed.
Communicate a hospital “Duty to Warn” when a family member is in the process of obtaining or has a protection order against the patient.
Advocate for families and prepare family members for court testimony.
Consult and coordinate regularly with prosecutors about case issues and proceedings, representing family concerns, needs, and input.
Inform prosecutors of families’ willingness to assist with prosecution and of additional discoverable information or pertinent facts obtained through family contact.
Comply with and explain HIPAA requirements and refer families to the hospital for a patient release of information when needed to obtain psychiatric or medical information.
Foster relationships with hospitals, evaluators, attorneys, paralegals, law enforcement, and other system partners.
Assist the paralegal team with PBK input and duties as needed.
Answer phone calls and respond to emails in a timely manner.
Assist the unit supervisor and staff supervisor as requested and perform related work or other projects as requested or required.
Participate in PAO equity work, attend equity trainings and discussions, and apply race, equity, and social justice principles in job duties and decision-making.