Paralegal 2 - Public Defender (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)

Spokane CountySpokane, WashingtonFull Time

(https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/spokanecountywa/jobs/newprint/4180927)

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Salary

$45,286.80 - $63,428.03 Annually

Location

WA 99260, WA

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

23-00253

Department

Public Defender

Opening Date

08/28/2023

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Description

Benefits

Questions

Job Summary

This position works 37.5 hours per week.

This position is responsible for creating and drafting various legal documents for the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the Public Defender’s Office, or Counsel for Defense and assisting Attorneys in pretrial preparation, trials, public hearings, meetings, or arbitrations. The position allocated to this class must exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, display a professional attitude and deal effectively with potentially difficult clients and sensitive subjects.

An understanding of the criminal justice system is essential along with an understanding of individual’s constitutional rights.

Though word processing/computer skills are utilized, this is not a secretarial type position but requires an ability to maintain attorney files, court and interview schedules and case preparation with minimal supervision from attorney staff.

This classification differs from Paralegal 1 in level of supervision and complexity of assignment.

WHO MAY APPLY: This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the Master Contract submitting applications between 8/28/23 and 9/1/23. First consideration will be given to applicants working in the Prosecutor's office in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA); second consideration given to County-wide applicants in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; third consideration given to applicants covered by the Master Contract CBA; fourth consideration will be given to all other applicants.

TOTAL COMPENSATION: $57,967 - $81,187 annually. Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Examples of Duties

Researches case law and assists with trial brief to support case.
Reviews pre-trial motions and requests for discovery from defense attorneys, prepares responses, and tracks responses.
Prepares instructions for submittal to the court.
Edits and proofreads briefs and legal memos.
Files agreed orders after completed.
Assists in drafting legal documents under supervision of an attorney.
Operates word processing and data base systems as required.
Converses with police, corrections officers, agencies, witnesses, victims as directed to obtain pertinent facts.
Interprets legal documents and explains legal procedures to victims, witnesses, and others.
Assists attorneys with tasks as necessary for trial.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

Prosecutor

Assists school districts and schools with filing of truancy petitions and answering questions
and assists prosecuting attorney in Truancy court.
Proofs, edits, drafts, and finalizes various pleadings, motions, and responses.
Orders office supplies, and submits IT Help Desk tickets, as needed.

Public Defender

Assists defendants with setting up a payment plan to pay off their fines and court costs on civil infractions, to reinstate their driver's privileges.
Files and tracks daily payments.

Minimum Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Paralegal Studies or possession of a Certificate showing completion of paralegal studies.
One (1) year of experience in a position, such as a paralegal, with a criminal justice agency or law firm requiring legal research and related job duties.
Experience in a position with a criminal justice agency or law firm requiring legal research and related job duties, may be substituted, year for year, for education.
Possession of a valid Washington Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment.

Selection Factors

Knowledge of legal terminology, legal and regulatory requirements, procedures and standard content of documents (including document formatting per court rules) and records as required by the position.
Knowledge of general legal office practices and procedures.
Knowledge of business English, grammar, punctuation, and spelling
word processing, database and presentation applications, including the knowledge of macros.
Knowledge of the operation of general office equipment such as copiers, faxes, telephones, personal computers.
Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials, and the general public.
Ability to accurately keyboard a minimum of 50 words per minute.
Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive and/or potentially volatile situations.
Ability to resolve conflict and problem solve using confidentiality, discretion, patience, empathy and professionalism.
Ability to understand and apply legal guidelines and regulations to varied operational requirements.
Ability to prepare legal documents and correspondence using appropriate formatting, terminology and references.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to accurately complete work within established timeframes.
Ability to adhere to prescribed office routines, policies, procedures and directions.
Ability to maintain a professional personal appearance and courteous attitude toward the public and fellow employees.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Employee Benefits Summary

The following is a brief list of benefits available to Spokane County regular employees.

Complete information is available from Human Resources Department.

This information is subject to change.

PAID TIME OFF

Spokane County Observed Holidays

Up to 10 (ten) paid holidays are observed by Spokane County.

PTO

Non-represented and a select group of represented employees receive a bank of hours that combine both vacation and sick leave into a paid time off bank.

There is no waiting period to use this time and it starts out at almost 2 days per month accrual increasing in accrual rates annually for first 5 years.

Vacation

For employees with less than five (5) years of continuous service, the accrual rate is 1 day of vacation each month for a total of 12 days per year.

After six (6) months, employees are eligible to take accumulated vacation time. (Please note the vacation time accumulation may vary depending on contract language).

Sick Leave

Sick leave is earned at 1 day per month and can be taken as the days are accumulated.

Other Leaves

Spokane County provides several other paid leaves such as: bereavement leave, jury duty and military duty leave.

Insurance Benefits

Medical Insurance

Two Plans Are Currently Available

Premera Blue Cross (PPO) and Kaiser Permanente (HMO).

Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents.

Premiums are deducted each pay period (pay periods: 15th and last day of the month).

2023 Rates

Premera

Employee Only

$38.04 per month

Employee & Spouse: $149.52 per month

Employee & Family: $209.60 per month

Employee & Child(ren): $136.16 per month

Kaiser

Employee:

$35.92 per month

Employee & Spouse: $140.56 per month

Employee & Family

$196.06 per month

Employee & Child(ren): $128.58 per month

Dental Insurance

Two Plans Are Currently Available

Delta Dental of Washington (PPO) and Willamette Dental (DMO).

Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents.

2023 Rates

Delta Dental Willamette Dental

Employee: $5.74 per month

Employee: $5.98 per month

Family: $11.48 per month

Family: $11.96 per month

Group Life Insurance

The County provides a $25,000 group life insurance policy to employees. The County provides a $10,000 benefit for those represented by 492, 492CS & 492CL.

This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.

Long Term Disability Coverage

Provides an income protection benefit in the event of a long-term illness or injury at rate of 60% of income up to a maximum of $5,000 per month.

Spokane County pays the full premium for this plan. Deputy Sheriff's receive a benefit through their union for disability.

RETIREMENT

Retirement Plan (401a)

Spokane County employees are automatically included in the Washington State Retirement System. Both the employer and the employee contribute to the plan.

This retirement plan provides a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit once vested and eligible for retirement.

Additional Retirement Plan Option (457b)

Employees may supplement their retirement income and save money on taxes by participating in this optional County program.

Roth (after-tax) option is also available through this retirement plan.

Voluntary Benefits

AFLAC

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay for benefits not covered by major medical insurance.

The employee pays 100% of the premium.

Travel Assistance

Provides additional travel protections anytime you travel more than 100 miles from home.

Includes pre-trip information, emergency ticket replacement, and emergency evacuation coverage.

This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.

Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)

Spokane County sponsors a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account to allow out-of-pocket Medical & Daycare Expenses to be paid with Tax Free Dollars.

Premiums are automatically set up pre-tax under the FSA.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is additional optional life insurance provided through The Standard Insurance.

New employees are guaranteed up to $50,000 for self and $20,000 for a spouse with no medical underwriting needed.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program

Employees and their family members are eligible to receive free counseling.

There are also benefits relating to financial and legal concerns.

Reduced Cost Bus Pass Program

Spokane County participates in a program with STA which discounts bus passes to $5 a month.

Wellness Programs

There are opportunities for nearby exercise programs at reduced cost and education programs around wellness themes including financial well-being, nutrition and stress reduction.

Discounts

There are local and national discounts available to Spokane County employees.

Please check the box that applies to your current Union status (if you are not a current Spokane County employee, please select "None of the above apply").

I am in the open position's department and my position is covered by the 1553 collective bargaining agreement
I am in another department and my position is covered by the 1553 collective bargaining agreement
I am in a position covered by the Master Contract collective bargaining agreement (not 1553)
I am in a position covered by another collective bargaining agreement (not 1553 or Master Contract)
None of the above apply

Required Question

Agency

Spokane County

Address

824 N Adams

Spokane, Washington, 99260

Phone

509-477-5750

Website http://www.spokanecounty.org/employment