Legal Assistant, Criminal Division - Term Limited Through December 2024

Make a difference in your community.

Become a part of the Kitsap County team!

Do what you love while serving the citizens where you live.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Three years of clerical experience to include two years experience working as a legal secretary/ assistant, paralegal or legal clerical support; AND
• Accurate and proficient data entry and typing skills, and word processing experience using Microsoft Office OR
• Any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work (one year of college, business school or equivalent level course work from a college, university or school accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education in basic legal practices or closely related field may be a substituted for up to one year of experience).

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OR QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous work experience providing clerical support for either the prosecution or defense.
• Previous work experience working for a public (Government) entity.
• Completion of a LEGAL ASSISTANT/secretary course.

Criminal Conviction Standards:

• The successful incumbent will or may have access to a secured/confidential facility or computer system(s). As a result, Kitsap County will be conducting an extensive criminal background check by law enforcement agencies, which includes fingerprinting.
  1. Please review the following list of disqualifying crimes and negative actions to determine if you meet our standard for this position: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ffa/disqualifying-list-crimes-and-negative-actions

• Submit official transcripts from an accredited college or university or business school, if education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications.
• Pass a criminal history background check through law enforcement agencies. (This position requires a security clearance. A thorough background check through law enforcement agencies and previous employers will be conducted on all applicants based on information supplied on the application and supplemental questionnaire. Kitsap County reserves the right to independently determine the applicant's prior criminal conviction record within the last ten years.)
• Demonstrate ability to be bonded and ability to obtain notary license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Kitsap County provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Requires exertion of force of 20 pounds occasionally and/or 10 pounds frequently to lift/carry/move objects, files, and other case material.
• Walking and short distances
• Reaching above and/or below shoulder
• Handling/grasping documents.
• Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time,
• Clear speaking and adequate hearing sufficient to communicate effectively and respond appropriately in-person and/or on the telephone;
• Vision sufficient to read source materials and computer screen data.
• Repetitive motions for computer use.
• Requires exertion of force of 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds frequently, lift/carry/move objects, files/documents and other case material. May be required to lift/transport file boxes weighing up to 50 pounds, in which case assistance is available.
• Work is performed primarily in an office or courtroom environment.

• Provide assistance to Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys in case preparation, coordination, and disposition of cases, projects and/or hearings and trials, or as required.
• Prepare, organize, assemble and maintain case files.
• Review local rules, and State and Federal mandatory timelines to assure timely action or review by attorney, and initiate preparation of appropriate documents and pleadings at each stage of case progress.
• Gather pertinent documents, affidavits, subpoenas and interview records for case files, including litigation, discovery, correspondence, opinion, information and research files.
• Request additional records based on review of documents and/or attorney request.
• Provide assistance and serve as a liaison to witnesses, county clients, law enforcement, victims and experts as each respective case is processed through the justice system.
• Interview and assess witness and client needs, educate on court procedures, answer questions, coordinate testimony for hearings/trials, coordinate the scheduling of depositions, hearings, and appointments between attorneys, witnesses, and other law offices, and provide notification of depositions as instructed.
• Coordinate depositions, interviews, testing, hearings, travel arrangements and meetings.
• Respond to inquiries regarding status of pending cases, routine inquiries from attorneys, agencies and the public.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, legal pleadings, subpoenas and notices of appearance, motions, affidavits, briefs and other material with high standards of accuracy, style of presentation, completeness and correctness of content.
• File documents in appropriate court.
• Serve documents or arrange process service.
• Utilize computer-based calendar to post appointments, court dates, tasks, reminders, as well as maintain attorney's calendars as directed.
• Analyze and act upon incoming mail/fax/email, scanning, copying, filing.
• Respond to general inquiries.
• Take steps to locate all parties whose whereabouts are unknown, using various state agencies and Internet resources.
• Conduct searches utilizing Court databases.

• Who May Apply: This position is open to the general public. Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms. The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.
• This position is classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 1308. Internal applicants should be aware that a change in union status or bargaining unit may impact your benefits and accruals. Please contact Human Resources if you have questions.
• This position is limited term, grant funded.
• Kitsap County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office.
• This recruitment is being used to fill an existing open position, and may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.
• Work hours for this position are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.