Project/Program Manager III (SDA)

King County•Seattle, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This posting will remain open until filled and may close at any time without prior notice. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. The recruitment is open internally to current The Defender Association Division (TDAD) employees within the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) who have completed their probationary period. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. The posting will remain open until filled, but applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on July 10, 2026, will be given priority consideration. This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months. The Project/Program Manager III (PPM) for TDAD, may supervise and coordinate the work of legal assistants and other administrative support staff, ensuring efficient workflows, compliance with legal standards, and consistent interpretation and implementation of division operational policies and procedures. The Program Manager is responsible for managing the office infrastructure of the Division and supervising a diverse team of legal assistants who provide specialized support to multiple practice units across the division's offices in downtown Seattle and Kent. The Program Manager will also be expected to hold supervisees accountable for their work performance while also assisting with their training and development. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience or interest in staff management and supervision, strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. Reporting to the Managing Attorney, the successful candidate will actively participate and collaborate with supervisors and management. The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity. DPD provides high-quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings. DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients’ liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework.

Requirements

Three increasingly responsible years of experience working in the criminal legal system, with at least one of those years as a supervisor and/or lead, (inclusive of special duty and/or out-of-class work), OR a combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Ability to travel within King County in a timely manner as required

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated high level of skill and experience with communication, conflict management, and team building.
Demonstrated experience in handling controversial situations with tact and diplomacy and the ability to assess potentially volatile situations and act accordingly.
Knowledge of court and legal processes.
Ability to provide mentorship to the legal assistant team and to train, supervise, set work performance standards, establish work priorities, evaluate and improve work of team.
Ability to use tact and discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse internal and external customers.
Skill in coordinating work of multi-disciplinary team.
Skill in working effectively as a team member to coordinate accomplishment.
Skills in gathering, manipulating and using data utilizing a computer and other tools.
Skill in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
Advanced decision-making skills with demonstrated experience identifying critical issues and effectively and efficiently allocating resources.
Knowledge of project management and supervisory principles.
Possess excellent customer service skills.
Demonstrated experience working with diverse individuals involved in the criminal legal system.
Proficient in using current office software programs including Microsoft products such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, OneDrive, SharePoint and Outlook.
Experience working in or supporting multiple practice areas in DPD.
Experience with change management.
Familiarity with Oracle.
Demonstrated high level of skill and experience with communication, conflict management, and team building.
Demonstrated experience in handling controversial situations with tact and diplomacy and the ability to assess potentially volatile situations and act accordingly.
Knowledge of court and legal processes.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the full scope of work performed by legal assistant support staff across all practice areas within the division.
Supervise the legal assistant team by setting clear performance expectations, holding staff accountable, conducting investigations where appropriate, and providing timely, constructive feedback.
Support employee training and development.
Serve as a catalyst for problem-solving and effective conflict resolution within the team.
Assign, prioritize, and balance workload among team members.
Coordinate staff leave requests to maintain sufficient coverage.
May provide direct coverage as needed to maintain critical function of team.
Complete timely performance evaluations of team members.
In consultation with Human Resources, implement and monitor corrective and career development action plans; provide support to enable employees to make positive changes.
Be familiar with the case-weight credit policy manual used by the Department.
Be familiar with all aspects of the Departments Case Management System (CMS)
Work with the Managing Attorney to ensure team members have the training and resources they need to do their jobs well.
Collaborate with other supervisors in the Department and Division.
Manage internal division operations analyze operating procedures and identify methods to accomplish assigned projects in more efficient ways.
Plan, procure and arrange all office equipment and moves of office staff: On-board new division staff (secure business cards, supplies, ensure office is ready, track distribution and collection of keys, parking passes, etc.)
Act as primary contact with vendors (Teams phone systems, copiers, faxes) regarding maintenance and IT HelpDesk tickets.
Process and document division expenditure and reimbursement requests (expert services; records request; travel; office inventory); liaise with department finance staff on payment and documentation requirements as needed.
Run reports in Oracle; reconcile PCard purchases and expenditure reports, and verify and reconcile data discrepancies.
Complete and submit staff changes forms to HR in a timely manner, ensuring all required information is accurate, complete, and aligned with the established process.
Provide excellent customer service to internal and external clients in person and via email and telephone on processes and procedures within the office and in order to coordinate the activities of the office.
Stay current with standards in the legal environment within and across practice areas.
Participate on multiple committees which may including acting as a liaison to the Director's office.
Perform other duties as assigned.