Washington State Paralegal Association

Salary $35.74 - $41.66 Hourly

Location: Suite 2050 Seattle, WA

Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Department: Law Department

Job Number: 2023-00197

Closing: 4/25/2023 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

The Seattle City Attorney's Office is seeking a Paralegal to join three other Paralegals, eleven Assistant City Attorneys, and two Legal Assistants in the Employment Section. The Section advises on and litigates employment matters arising from the City of Seattle’s workforce of over 10,000 employees in a variety of City departments. The work of the Employment Section is dynamic and often fast-paced. We take a collaborative, team-oriented approach to both litigation and advice work, seeking to build effective teams and strong, lasting relationships with City departments and their leadership. Paralegals in the Employment Section are critical to this professional philosophy and are valued members of our enthusiastic and experienced team.
 
The Paralegal in this position will support Assistant City Attorneys representing the City in employment-related matters in a variety of forums, including state and federal courts, the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), the Civil Service Commission, and union arbitrations. They will assist in all aspects of representation, including assisting with factual investigation, coordinating record collections, managing discovery, and actively participating in trials, arbitrations, and civil service proceedings.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to: 

• Assisting attorneys in preparing for, strategizing, and representing the City at trials, hearings, and arbitrations.
• Working closely with attorneys and legal assistants to ensure our office is producing quality work product in a timely manner.
• Performing legal, factual, and records research.
• Drafting and assisting with preparation of documents, including communications, records requests, pleadings, discovery, and requests for information.
• Preparing and organizing documents for responding to discovery requests and for use as exhibits for depositions and motions. 
• Coordinating collection of physical and electronic records from records custodians across all City departments. 
• Managing all aspects of records collection, including initiating litigation holds, ensuring relevant records are retained, and documenting the chain of custody.
• Assisting attorneys in responding to requests from administrative agencies, such as the EEOC and DOL. 
• Providing eDiscovery support, including:
  • Staging documents on a network and mapping them in Nuix, focusing on eventual production.
  • Preserving and using metadata.
  • Maintaining chain-of-custody information and tracking data.
  • Coordination of document review and production.
• Assisting attorneys in other ways, as assigned, and as required to provide the City with the best legal representation possible.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and two years of experience performing paralegal duties, OR a certification from a nationally accredited paralegal training institution and three years related experience, OR a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work.

Desired Qualifications:

You will be most successful in this role if you possess the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Litigation experience, particularly with electronic and traditional discovery.
• Familiarity with eDiscovery applications and processes, including best practices for data collection, processing, analytics, strategic review, and production. Experience with Nuix Discover (formerly Ringtail) a plus. 
• Working knowledge of court rules in state, federal, and appellate courts.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals at all levels of the City.
• Excellent research, writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Capable of providing timely work product with great attention to detail.
• Ability to represent the City Attorney’s Office in a professional and ethical manner and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with both employees and outside contacts.
• Have excellent judgment, ability to work independently, self-motivated, and initiative.
• Ability to take direction from multiple attorneys with differing priorities and excellent ability to follow up on all tasks.
• Ability to anticipate and address attorney needs in both routine and unusual situations.

Additional Information

Race and Social Justice Initiative – The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Compensation – This position is part of a stepped salary program with an initial Step 1 placement ($35.74/hour). Advanced initial step placement may be considered under limited circumstances, but step salaries are not subject to negotiation. Employees placed at Step 1 will advance to Step 2 ($37.10) after 1,044 hours of regular service (approx. 6 months full-time). Employees placed at a step other than 1 will advance to the next step after 2,088 hours of regular service (approx. 12 months full-time). 

This position is also eligible to receive annual wage increases in amounts which are usually aligned with increases that are bargained with the City’s Union Coalition. However, annual wage increases are not guaranteed every year. 

The full salary range for this position is $35.74 - $41.66 per hour.

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 and/or a deferred compensation plan. 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 – Effective September 12, 2022, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office has implemented an Alternative Work Arrangements Policy.  Employees will have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2 days in office, 3 days remote for full-time employees).  This is subject to change as business needs require. 

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

• Complete the online City Application.
• Attach a resume detailing your relevant experience.
• Attach a cover letter describing your interest in the position and how you meet the above qualifications. 

Who may apply – This position is open to all candidates that 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, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy.   The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

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

APPLY HERE