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The Prosecution Division of the City of Olympia Legal Department seeks an experienced Paralegal I to independently perform a variety of complex legal, technical, and administrative support duties. The work requires legal support for prosecution, including processing criminal discovery requests; compiling and organizing records; contacting witnesses, police officers, and crime victims; initial drafting of pleadings; tracking case deadlines; and other clerical support. This position requires a high level of professionalism, competency, resiliency, and confidentiality. The position is located at the Lee Creighton Criminal Justice Center. The position may be required to telework during the COVID-19 pandemic, but full-time office attendance will be expected once the Justice Center is reopened.

One of ten City departments, the Legal Department provides legal services to the Olympia City Council, the City Manager, and the City as a municipal corporation. Under the supervision of the City Attorney, the Department consists of 11 full-time employees and is comprised of two divisions. The General Counsel Division includes the City Attorney, two Deputy City Attorneys, a Paralegal II, and a Paralegal I. The Prosecution Division includes the Chief Prosecutor, an Assistant Prosecutor II, an Assistant Prosecutor I, the Victim Assistance Coordinator, a Paralegal I, and a Program Assistant.

Under the direction of the Chief Prosecutor, the Prosecution Division is responsible for all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor prosecution of City ordinances in the Olympia Municipal Court. The Prosecution Division is also tasked with advising the Olympia Police Department on legal and victim related matters.

Because the Paralegal’s duties include contacting witnesses and crime victims, this position will require communicating with people in crisis who may be emotionally charged. A calm demeanor is necessary to be successful in this position.

Ideal Candidate Profile Characteristics
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• 
  Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System
• Experience with electronic case management system(s)
• Significant experience and skill in proofreading and typing
• Significant experience and skill in providing administrative support for attorneys. including filing and organizing cases
• Ability to work as a team member, but also independently with limited supervision
• The ability to cooperatively work with:
  • Individuals within the Criminal Justice System and legal field, including judges, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, court administrators, and court staff
  • The City Attorney, Department Directors, and City staff
  • Victims, witnesses, and other members of the public
• Professionalism, diplomacy, strong communication and interpersonal skills, honesty, compassion.

To Apply
To evaluate all candidates fairly, the City will make all applications anonymous when we are screening the applicants. We will redact information from your application such as your name, address, and other demographics. In order to help us with this, please complete the online application form as fully as possible. This position is open until filled. Please apply by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2021, to be considered in the first review of applications. Do not attach a resume’ or cover letter. They will not be evaluated.

Contact Information
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Amber Coleman, Paralegal I, at (360)753-8234 or via email at acoleman@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Ideal Candidate Profile Characteristics
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• 
  Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System
• Experience with electronic case management system(s)
• Significant experience and skill in proofreading and typing
• Significant experience and skill in providing administrative support for attorneys. including filing and organizing cases
• Ability to work as a team member, but also independently with limited supervision
• The ability to cooperatively work with:
  • Individuals within the Criminal Justice System and legal field, including judges, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, court administrators, and court staff
  • The City Attorney, Department Directors, and City staff
  • Victims, witnesses, and other members of the public
• Professionalism, diplomacy, strong communication and interpersonal skills, honesty, compassion.

To Apply
To evaluate all candidates fairly, the City will make all applications anonymous when we are screening the applicants. We will redact information from your application such as your name, address, and other demographics. In order to help us with this, please complete the online application form as fully as possible. This position is open until filled. Please apply by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2021, to be considered in the first review of applications. Do not attach a resume’ or cover letter. They will not be evaluated.

Contact Information
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Amber Coleman, Paralegal I, at (360)753-8234 or via email at acoleman@ci.olympia.wa.us.

The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:

• Provide complex technical and administrative support to the Prosecution Division and/or General Counsel Division of the Legal Department.
• Assemble court documents and exhibits in accordance with Court and legal standards and arrange for filing and serving of legal documents.
• Independently draft, prepare, and/or proofread a variety of complex legal documents, including pleadings, appeals, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and correspondence.
• Provide comprehensive litigation or prosecution support, including discovery, filing of court documents, and coordination with all levels of courts, and administrative hearing boards.
• Assist attorneys in meeting deadlines, particularly with respect to civil litigation, prosecution, and administrative hearings or appeals.
• Contact, interview, and/or coordinate with witnesses and crime victims.
• Research and furnish copies of City, State, and Federal statutes and regulations as required.
• Research, analyze, and prepare recommendations, conclusions, or legal memoranda on assigned projects.
• Provide customer service on the telephone or in-person.
• Maintain legal records, files, and filing systems of all kinds and types.
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and schedule work; manage time effectively; work well under pressure; respond with flexibility to rapidly changing priorities.
• Efficiently work from verbal and written instructions.
• Use sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions on a variety of issues.
• Maintain the strictest confidentiality of legal and sensitive issues.
• Present a positive professional image to the general public and other City Departments and provide customer service in a manner consistent with the City’s philosophy and policies.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• 
  Knowledge of governmental entities and familiarity with Washington’s criminal code and the Olympia Municipal Code.
• Knowledge of Washington State Municipal, District, Superior and Appellate Court rules procedures.
• Knowledge of public records laws and retention requirements.
• Knowledge of criminal and civil law functions of the legal office.
• Know computerized legal research techniques.
• Know proofreading, correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, word usage, and basic math.
• Know computerized systems, electronic case management, software, and general legal office practices.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys and confidentiality required by the attorney-client relationship and other legal privileges.

Experience/Education:

• Three years legal office experience at a level that provides sufficient training and knowledge to perform administrative and technical duties required; at least one year experience in a local government law office with experience in both civil and criminal support desirable; at least one year college-level course work in legal procedures preferred.
• Graduation from a two-year legal support/paralegal program from an accredited college may substitute for two years of legal office experience.

Special Requirements:

• Washington State Driver’s License or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• Successful completion of a criminal history background check is required

Contacts:

• 
  The Paralegal I has daily contact with and is easily accessible to department personnel, City staff, outside attorneys and the general public for the purpose of responding to public comments, questions, complaints, and/or requests for public disclosure and/or information.
• The Paralegal I for the Prosecution Division has extensive contact with the public, including criminal defendants, witnesses, crime victims, and individuals with questions about criminal prosecution.

Supervision:

• May provide direction and/or training to the Program Assistant, interns, and/or volunteers.

Accountability:

• The Paralegal I is accountable for the accurate, efficient and effective daily completion of the assigned work, complex legal administrative functions, and staff in a manner that effectively supports the provision of legal services to the City, the public, and staff.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment where frequent interruptions occur.
• Some assignments require sitting for extended periods of time.
• Some assignments require moving between offices/buildings.
• Work is often performed under the stress associated with the need to meet rigid deadlines and productivity requirements.
• Position may also require the ability to telework at times.

The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.