Legal Assistant 1 - Criminal Division

Salary: $24.61 - $30.72 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Regular - Other
Job Number: 24-00017
Department: Prosecutor
Division: Prosecutor
Opening Date: 12/29/2023
Description
This position is primarily in the office.
Position Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This is a great entry level foundational career opportunity for Legal Assistants providing clerical support for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. This role supports the Misdemeanor Unit by preparing legal documents, researching for discovery, preparing subpoenas, creating files, and opening case records. As a Prosecuting Attorney's Office employee, you make a difference in people's lives and a positive contribution to Pierce County.
Why It's a Great Department:
The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is committed to the recruitment, hiring, retention and promotion of a diverse staff. Our commitment to diversity creates a strong and collegial office that promotes respect for the community we serve.
Our Division takes great pride in the collegial environment we have created. We are supportive of one another, highly competent and thrive on the collective teamwork of those who work in our division. We have high standards in our work product and for the support we provide our clients.
Learn more about the Prosecuting Attorney's Office
How to be Successful in the Role:
We are looking for someone with exceptional customer service, a strong work ethic, who is adaptable, and works well as part of a team. We need someone with the ability to interact in a positive, engaging manner with internal and external customers treating every contact as a valued individual.
Your Future in this Role:
You will develop professional networks and have exposure to attorneys, courts, and agencies as well as the public. You will learn applicable legal guidelines or regulations, court processes/procedures and office operational procedures. Your work willdirectly impact your community and it offers a great foundation for future positions within the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Perform reception and telephone work, which will require knowledge about office policies, regulations and procedures.
• Pulls electronic files for deputy prosecuting attorneys.
• Deals with complaints from the public courteously.
• Distributes mail by date stamping and forwarding to appropriate staff member.
• Distributes papers to court, jail, police agencies, etc.
• Operates standard office machinery including such equipment as telephones, copiers, computers, printers, fax machine, typewriter and others.
• Performs data entry.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential function can be found
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:

• A high school diploma or GED is required. Actual office work experience may be substituted for education.
• To be considered please submit your cover letter and resume.

Preferred Requirements:

• Training by an accredited vocational school, college or university in the field of legal support work or related area
• Prior experience working in a legal environment where your position included having responsibility for reception duties.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed 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 go to:
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application form will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include written, oral and performance examinations, and final interviews.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Pierce County welcomes a diverse workforce. Pierce County does not discriminate based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
01
Please describe your highest level of education.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Two full years of college with no degree
• Two full year of post high school technical training with no degree.
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

02
Do you have receptionist experience greeting customers in person and over the phone in a legal office setting?

• No I have no receptionist experience.
• No I have no receptionist experience but I have call center and/or customer service experience
• Yes I have receptionist experience but in LEGAL office setting.
• Yes I have receptionist experience but in another office setting.

03
Do you have training by an accredited vocational school, college or university in the field of legal support work or related area?

• Yes
• No

04
Briefly describe your experience using computer software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
05
After closely reviewing the job announcement, why do you believe you would be an outstanding candidate for this opportunity?
06
How did you hear about this opportunity?

• Pierce County Website
• governmentjobs.com
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Glassdoor
• Other Website
• Job Fair
• Pierce County Employee
• Other

07
If you chose Other, Pierce County Employee, or Other Website, please provide details (name, site, etc).
08
Did you upload your resume and cover letter? Are you sure?

• Yes
• No

Required Question