Legal Assistant - Olympia, United States - State of Washington

Description

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and work hard to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected.

Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.

We are currently recruiting for a Legal Assistant with the ability to, at a moments notice, adapt to changing priorities to support our Administrative Law Office

We are one of the most public facing state agencies and the second largest revenue generating agency in Washington State.

We regularly interact with over 8 million Washington residents and collect more than $3.2 billion in taxes and fees annually.

We know our services are essential to our customers' ability to live, work, drive, and thrive.

We take this responsibility seriously and are committed to ensuring every resident has equitable and meaningful access to our services.

Our Legal Assistants are an integral part of our team and centered around action oriented and often changing goals.

If you have excellent interpersonal communication skills, are exceptionally organized, and excel under tight deadlines with flexibility and agility, we invite you to apply

As a Legal Assistant you will perform legal support functions for the unit and the Hearings Examiners such as identifying and pursuing next steps in administrative due processes as determined by rule or law.

Your ability to provide clear, and open communication with our stakeholders that will include petitioners, attorneys of record, law enforcement, interpretation contractors and your team will be key to your success.

Utilizing our 'DRIVES' program and other agency databases, you will use your exceptional attention to detail when entering case evidence into the driver's administrative record.

Working mostly independently you will create and prepare legal documents for hearings as required by rule or law, examine forms to ensure that all necessary criteria have been met, and warrant compliance with all legal deadlines and due process requirements.

Some of what you will do:

• Provide skilled review of Abstract of Driving Record (ADRs) as required to process all types of hearings and analyses ADR to interpret and explain relevant information to customers.
• Schedule and direct proper and timely serving of legal documents to all parties using the most cost-effective and expeditious means of delivery and proof-of-service.
• Verify legal citations, exhibit references, and quotation information for accuracy, consistency, and case relevance.
• Proofread and edit all legal documents for grammar, spelling, and syntax.
• Calculate, calendar, and track notice and service of process statutory deadlines for subpoenas and evidentiary packets, as well as schedules and re-schedules hearing and interview appointments.
• Provide results to all participants, update the drive record based on the decision and respond appropriately to inquiries.

The services you will provide to fellow Washington residents is critical to our mission of, "Helping every Washington resident live, work, drive, and thrive." as you will process Hearings Examiners' decisions and generate applicable correspondence.

What you will bring to the role:
Two (2) years of combined relevant office experience.

OR

One year as a Legal Assistant 1


Experience must include:

• Two (2) years of experience using computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Scheduler.
• One (1) year of work experience providing service to customers on the phone, where explaining rules, policies, and/or procedures are regular daily functions. Experience must include the frequent application of techniques to ensure professionalism and mutual understanding.

What may help set you apart:

• A two-year degree in Legal Secretary Studies, Paralegal Studies, or related field plus one (1) year of legal office experience.
• Experience reading and interpreting a drive record and taking appropriate action based on licensing laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Experience signing on and verifying data within the court data storage system.
• One (1) year of experience composing, formatting, proofreading, and editing professional and legal correspondence, emails, memos, letters, and documents, applying "plain talk" principles and clear communication guidelines. Able to edit others writing for continuity, grammar, and punctuation.
• Experience using Microsoft SharePoint.

Additional Conditions of employment:

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

For information about available accommodations, the interview process, or the position contact Nicole Walters.

Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion


How to Apply:

• Select the apply button at the top of this job announcement.
• Attach a current:
• A cover letter explaining your experience as it relates to this position and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Resume

Incomplete applications may disqualify you from eligibility for the position. You must ensure all application areas, including supplemental questions and attachments, are completed in full.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

We value diverse perspectives and life experiences.

We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans.

We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job.

Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice

To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference, please notify the Recruitment Team. Please include the title of this position in the subject line.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at or may email Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at

The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.