Legal Assistant 3

Description This position is In office during training and probationary period - then has opportunity for a hybrid schedule (up to 2 working from home days per week depending on unit/department needs). Full time - 37.5 hours per week Summary Why It's a Great Opportunity: This is a great opportunity to provide high level legal support work for Pierce County Attorneys, courts, and clientele. In this role you may provide task supervision over workers in unit, making work assignments, overseeing performance of assigned jobs, and providing technical assistance as needed. You may be involved in complex projects that require additional time and detail. You will explain rules and interpret established guidelines to people who may have no knowledge of legal procedures, as well as provide technical assistance and procedural information to the public, attorneys, and other justice system personnel and agencies. Clients are often in the most stressful situation of their lives and may have limited insight into their situation, therefore the role you play is crucial to support them. As a Department of Assigned Counsel employee, you make a difference in people's lives and a positive contribution to Pierce County. Why It's a Great Department: The Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC) is responsible for the delivery of mandated legal services to indigent persons accused of crimes in the Pierce County Superior Court; Pierce County District Court; Tacoma Municipal Court; and Pierce County Juvenile Court delinquency proceedings. DAC also provides constitutionally mandated legal services to persons detained for Involuntary Civil commitment proceedings at Western State Hospital, and other evaluation and treatment facilities, and a limited number of participants in Dependency proceedings. The mission of the Department of Assigned Counsel is to provide and administer the public defense delivery system in Pierce County in a manner that assures eligible people receive professional and effective representation while efficiently utilizing public resources. You can learn more about DAChere. How to be Successful in the Role To be successful in this role, you will need to have a thorough knowledge of and background in the legal system, legal terminology, and court practices/procedures. Understanding and maintaining attorney/client privilege is of utmost importance as you will be navigating sensitive situations. You must be able to provide accurate and timely legal support, communicate effectively, and work with other team members to ensure all procedures are followed. Being someone who consistently operates both professionally and with empathy and understanding will guide your success. Your Future in this Role In this position, you will develop professional networks with attorneys, courts, and agencies and strive to provide a high standard of legal support to each. Your work willdirectly impact our community, and it offers a great foundation for future positions within Pierce County. In addition, the county offers robust professional development options through the Leadership Certification program and access to hundreds of learning opportunities both instructor lead and through LinkedIn Learning. A career with Pierce County means joining an organization invested in your growth. Through leadership development, robust online learning, and a variety of training opportunities, we provide continuous professional development at every stage. This commitment empowers you to contribute meaningfully while advancing your skills and supporting resilient communities, reliable infrastructure, and equitable outcomes for all. Core Daily Responsibilities Provides task supervision over workers in a department section of unit. Makes work assignments, oversees performance of assigned jobs, and provides technical assistance as needed. Provides input to supervisor for employee performance appraisal. Assists in resolving minor work and personnel problems. Assists and advises other employees in an area of specialization. May also assist in on-the-job training of newly assigned or reassigned employees. Performs counter and/or phone work providing information to the public; advising attorneys and other interested parties regarding status of cases and legal procedures while maintaining security and confidentiality. May deal with sensitive and/or potentially volatile situations Prepares, processes, and reviews complex felony and/or appeals pleadings, which involves extensive knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements, proper format and content of documents and records from rough draft or transcription for the higher-level courts such as Superior and Appellate courts. Reviews cases for conflicting interests of co-defendants and assigns panel attorneys to determined conflict cases. Processes requisitions, vouchers, and invoices for payment of panel attorney fees, witness fees, interpreters and any other professional services. May perform secretarial support work for lead attorney in confidential personnel issues and unit divisional goals and processes. May prepare, process and review a broad-range of legal forms and documents such as wills, divorce, child custody, guardianship, immigration, etc. for Western State Hospital patients. A classification description with a more detailed list of essential function can be foundhere. Minimum Qualifications Other education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute for the recruiting requirements. Two or more years of progressive, responsible experience as a legal assistant, legal secretary or related legal staff support function. Training by an accredited vocational school, college or university in the field of legal support work or related area is preferred. Upload a copy of your cover letter and resume. Without these attachments, your application will be incomplete, and you will not be considered for this role. Standard As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check and a reference check. Pierce County is a Fair Chance Employer. Information received from the background check and reference check is reviewed on a case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration. Supplemental Information To be considered for this opportunity, please: Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or visiting www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs. If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team atPCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and include the job number and title. If you do not have internet access, you may use computers available at your local public library or anyWorkSourcelocation. Individuals who need an accommodation in the application or testing process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. Pay Transparency Compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity. EEO and Welcoming Workplace This is a competitive selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews. Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. This commitment reflects our belief that a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service. Guided by the County Executive's Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same focus shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact the lives of residents every day. We invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.