Legal Assistant | Criminal Division

Position Description

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Criminal Division represents the City in prosecuting misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and traffic infractions in Seattle Municipal Court. The types of cases prosecuted by the Division include driving under the influence, domestic violence, theft, assault, property damage, and trespassing.

This position is responsible for providing legal administrative support to the Assistant City Prosecutor dedicated to the Pre-Filing Diversion Unit (PFD), Review and Filing Unit (RFU), Case Preparation Unit (CPU), Specialty Court Unit (SCU), the Discovery Unit Staff, and the Paralegals.

Job Responsibilities

• Assisting with the archiving of Evidence.com links into our system
• Working with SPD Media re Information Requests
• Creating Discovery Requests
• Assisting DX clerk with continual upkeep and clean up of Justice Nexus system re: opposing counsels
• Taking over the Mental Health Comp evaluation discovery process from Case Prep (to include uploading competency evaluations to relevant files and apprising RFU & PFD prosecutors of evaluation results on cases in review status, tracking competency evaluation data based on quarterly reports from SMC)
• Assisting PFD paralegal with daily tasks (to include: order collision reports/pull infractions for applicable Driving Diversion Review (DDR) cases
• Running criminal histories for PFD completions at 3, 6, 9, and 12-month intervals (for mainstream program only), generating and sending PFD completion letters
• Providing assistance to higher-level staff on special projects, involving gathering and compiling information (including: Tracking deceased information on open cases based on quarterly reports from King County Medical Examiner, Add DDR Legacy of Equality, Leadership and Organizing (LELO) referrals to internal SCAO SharePoint spreadsheet
• Printing and mailing out letters/documents
• Cross-training and backing up the Discovery Clerk and Video Specialist as needed
• Related duties as needed

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Requires two years of post-secondary coursework in legal secretarial or business skills and one year of litigation support work demonstrating familiarity with legal forms, terminology, and documents.
• Requires previous experience working with court operations, preferably within the Seattle Municipal Court.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate professionally, effectively, and clearly both verbally and in writing with co-workers, attorneys, victims/witnesses, the public, and government officials
• Familiarity with how to handle Personal Identifying Information (PII) and Criminal Justice Information (CJI)
• Good customer service skills, especially related to working with attorneys, judicial officials, law enforcement, etc.
• Working within very specific timelines/deadlines
• Flexibility and familiarity with technology
  • Especially Office 365 suite, including SharePoint.
  • Court and Law Firm Case Management Systems like C-Track, Justice Nexus
  • External databases like WADOL, WACIC, and JIS
• Ability to type 60 WPM
• Ability to exercise good judgement
• Ability to work well under pressure and/or stressful situations
• Ability to work independently and as a team player

Additional Information

Application Process – For your application to be accepted you must:

• Complete the online City of Seattle Application
  • (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle)
• Include the following required attachments in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format:
  • Cover Letter describing your interest in the position.
  • Resume detailing your relevant experience.

Application Submission Guidelines – All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site. Note: The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at Law_HR@Seattle.gov should you need assistance with the online application process.

Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Compensation – The full pay range for this step-progression position is $33.71 - $37.82 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $33.71 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. Advanced initial step placement may be considered under limited circumstances, but step salaries are not subject to negotiation.

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. City Attorney’s Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Workplace Environment – Currently, the Seattle City Attorney's Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.

Background Check Requirements – All positions are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.