Legal Assistant I

Thurston County

  • Thurston County, WA
  • $3,915-5,208 per month
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 16 days ago
Summary of Duties***This employment opportunity is open until filled and Thurston County reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time.***The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is looking for a Legal Assistant I professional to join their Criminal Division. The successful candidate will have excellent technical skills and proficiency in a legal environment and will serve as a primary contact for incoming felony discovery. This position is an in-office position and does not offer the option for remote work.The primary duties and responsibilities include receiving, monitoring, and processing incoming discovery. Reviewing incoming documents and processes according to procedures. Requesting information from law enforcement agencies and other jurisdictions. Tracking and monitoring files as prescribed. Maintaining frequent contact with law enforcement agencies.This position serves as the backup customer service representative which includes providing assistance to the public, including attorneys, law enforcement, and court and community agencies by answering inquiries and explaining the detailed regulations, procedures and complex requirements of the legal or judicial process. In order to determine the nature and urgency of requests, screens and refers telephone calls and inquires, and reads and routes incoming mail to the appropriate office or person. Responds to questions and provides answers to the public accessing readily available information from office records and in accordance with regulations on public records and confidentiality.Additional responsibilities may include but would not be limited to the following:
  • Reviews incoming documents and processes according to procedures. Generates basic legal documents for court proceedings according to established formats, policies and procedures. Prepares responses to legal correspondence either from oral instruction or independently. Files and records legal documents, obtains required signatures and authorizations, maintains case files, and records dates on which subsequent actions must occur. Verifies that appropriate information is included on paperwork or in file to ensure accurate processing.
  • Sets up and monitors case files to assure timely action or review. Reviews and inputs pertinent case information into computer based data system. Tracks, updates, logs and monitors activities of cases. Provides and requests information to and from agencies and other jurisdictions. Tracks and monitors files as prescribed and closes, purges and archives files according to policies and procedures.
  • Obtains and prepares case files for court sessions ensuring appropriate documentation is in the files. May be requested to attend and assist attorneys in court.
  • Prepares documents in required order for imaging and search and solve document series discrepancies. Operates personal computer, scanning, and image conversion equipment. Enters record indexing data and sets-up and maintains filing system.
  • Maintains frequent contact with victims, witnesses, law enforcement agencies, judges, court personnel, defense attorneys, and defendants, as appropriate. Analyzes case specifications and assists in the selection of appropriate mandatory forms required to proceed in court. May set appointments or court hearing dates.
  • May serve as backup to other department support positions.
Qualifications
  • Must have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Associate degree in legal assistant or paralegal studies, or legal-related studies, and/or Paralegal certificate from an accredited program.
  • Or, two (2) years of progressively responsible customer service experience in a court or legal office environment; or any combination of education and relevant experience which demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
  • Must be able to type 55 words per minute.
  • Current Washington State Driver's license, or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation, may be required.
Desired Skills
  • Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, forms, policies and techniques; general office practices and procedures; appropriate business and legal grammar; word processing and database applications; operation of general office equipment such as copiers, faxes, telephones, personal computers.
  • Knowledge of scanning/imaging equipment and case management software is highly desired.
  • The ability to word process legal documents with few errors; communicate effectively orally and in writing; operate general office equipment; and accomplish work within established timeframes. Ability to adhere to prescribed office routines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials, and the general public and;
  • Maintain a neat personal appearance and professional demeanor toward the public and fellow employees. Exceptional interpersonal skills.
Other Position Related InformationQuestions about this recruitment?
The contact person is Wendy Ireland, Legal Support Manager / 360.786.5540 Ext. 6271This position is:
- Eligible for benefits
- Represented by a Union
- Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Contingent upon passing a background checkItems required for consideration:
- Application
- Resume
- Letter of InterestThurston County provides a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees. The following is a brief summary of available benefits offered to county employees. Benefits are subject to change and may differ according to collective bargaining agreements. Plan documents and eligibility requirements are provided upon hire. This information is subject to change at anytime.Health Care Benefits:Thurston County provides medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage for all regular full-time employees enrolled in the County's standard plans. For regular part-time employees, who work less than 75% of an FTE, the county pays a pro-rated portion of the cost for medical, dental, vision and life insurance.Medical
Thurston County provides medical benefits through the Washington State's Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). Plan availability is based on county of residence. Each year the County determines the standard and non-standard plans. For standard plans, the County pays the full employee premium.Dental
Dental plans are provided through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Employees have the opportunity to choose between two plans, Delta Dental, a preferred provider plan or Willamette Dental, an HMO plan.Vision
Thurston County employees have Vision Service Plan coverage through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Employees also have additional vision coverage through their medical plan.Life Insurance
The County provides each regular, full-time employee with a basic, term life plan of $36,000 life insurance and $36,000 accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Additional voluntary, supplemental life insurance and AD&D insurance is available as a payroll deduction.Dependent Coverage
Eligible dependents may be added to all coverage listed above. Depending upon the bargaining unit, the County pays up to a specific maximum amount toward dependent coverage with the employee paying any amount above the County maximum contribution.Pension Plans:Retirement
Eligible Thurston County employees participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems' pension plans (PERS, PSERS, or LEOFF). With the exception of PERS plan 3, all of these plans are "defined benefit" plans with retirement benefits based on your average compensation and earned service credits. PERS Plan 3 is a hybrid plan incorporating both "defined benefit" and "defined contribution" elements. These plans are funded by both employer and employee contributions.Deferred Compensation
The County offers three voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan. Deferred compensation plans are 457 plans as defined by IRS regulations.Holiday and Leave Programs:Paid Leave
Thurston County offers two leave plans, Alternative leave and Traditional leave. In the Alternative Leave program, leave is accrued per pay period and may be used for vacation and/or sick leave purposes. Employees in the Traditional Leave program accrue both sick leave and annual leave each pay period.Thurston County Observed Holidays
Eleven paid are observed by Thurston County. Depending on union contract, regular employees receive one floating holiday and one Community Service Day each calendar year, or two floating holidays each calendar year.Other County Paid Benefits:Long Term Disability (LTD)
The county's long term disability plan provides a monthly benefit of 60% of your monthly base salary up to $6,000 per month after a waiting period of 90 days of disability.Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employees and immediate family members are eligible to receive confidential, professional counseling assessment and referral services through First Choice Health. The employee assistance program can assist and respond to all kinds of requests for counseling assessment and life concerns, such as, relationship concerns, family problems, alcohol and drug abuse problems, financial crisis, identification theft, general stress, caregiver burnout, depression, etc. Services are available 24-hours per day, 7-days per week.Additional Voluntary Benefits:Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses. Section 125 FSAs allow you to pay for allowable health-related and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.Short Term Disability
The County's short term disability plan is meant to assist with temporary periods of disability, as well as bridge the 90 day waiting period before the County's Long Term Disability begins. It provides a benefit of 60% of employees weekly base salary up to $1,000 per week after a waiting period of 30 days.Worksite Plans:
  • Accident Insurance is designed to help pay for costs not covered by employee health insurance when injured due to an accident.
  • Hospital Indemnity will pay a lump sum if an employee is admitted to the hospital, and will pay a lump sum for each day your are inpatient, to a maximum of 15 days per year.
  • Critical Illness will pay a lump sum if you are diagnosed with certain serious conditions. Cancer, heart attack, and stroke are a few of the listed conditions in this policy.
Electronic Payroll Savings with TreasuryDirect
County employees can invest in TreasuryDirect electronic savings bonds (Series I and EE) by requesting a payroll deduction. Monthly deductions are forwarded to the Federal Reserve, which enables employees to buy and redeem electronic savings bonds directly from the United States Treasury Department.Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Thurston County is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act. Employees may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness.Additional Benefits
The County also offers direct deposit, credit union memberships, a Commute Trip Reduction Program, and other miscellaneous benefits.

Thurston County