Law Office Assistant

Law Office Assistant 

Snohomish County Public Defender Association is a private, non-profit law office that is passionate about our communities. We are seeking a Full-time position.

Brave Advocacy, No Judgement, and Fierce Connections. These are the core tenets of SCPDA’s Mission to become an Antiracist organization while providing the highest quality legal representation to people facing loss of liberty pursuant to criminal and civil laws.  

As a Defender, you will uphold the mission and exhibit these tenets through client-centered advocacy, and collaboration with your supervisor and colleagues toward professional development in your job-specific responsibilities. The following essential function will guide you on this journey and provide clear direction as to what is expected from this position.   

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Law Office Assistant is responsible to greet and assist clients, guests, and employees and rotate between eight administrative stations and perform a variety of complex office duties in a law office. Some rotations are in office only. Some rotations may be accomplished remotely. Requires a high degree of confidentiality. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Answer telephone, greet visitors, and route requests promptly to the appropriate person. Assist visitors and callers by answering questions and explaining court procedures, take complaints, explain services, polices procedures and schedules. Schedule appointments, meetings and maintain conference room schedule. 


• Receive, sort, and promptly distribute mail. Review items for accuracy, completeness, required stamps and signatures, forward documents to others as necessary.  


• Prepare various legal documents and correspondence, review documents for accuracy before filing and processing and distribute to other parties as necessary. 


• Enter data as needed; set up and maintain files and filing systems; retrieve information from files or database; purge files of obsolete or incorrect information, and perform special projects as directed. 


• Open files, conflict check and redact discovery as requested; set up client files and maintain or file as requested. File documents with County Clerk and send copies to interested parties as required. Request necessary case information from other agencies if required. 

• Make regular visit/court run pick up or drop off files. 


• Maintain reception area. 


• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. 


• Prioritize collaboration and cooperation in your interactions with all Defenders. Hold yourself accountable when contributing to differences in power and identity, and act in ways which honor the authenticity, value, and dignity of each Defender. 


• Seek to cultivate constructive relationships with court stakeholders for the benefit of clients, and represent SCPDA with mindfulness, compassion, and consideration towards others. 

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• Advance and/or progress toward recognizing and naming racism and other oppressions within our work. 


• Intentionally engage in antiracism learning using a framework (example: Awareness, Knowledge, Skills and Action). 


• Adhere to company policies and procedures. 


• Participate in meetings as requested. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

 QUALIFICATIONS 

• Prefer 1 year of office clerical experience or customer service job experience and High school diploma or equivalent. 


• Prefer Spanish language skills.


• Able to build new capacities for learning and seek opportunities to expand your approach to problem-solving. 


• Ability to align your actions with the rules and guidelines of professional conduct when interacting with stakeholders in the court system. 


• Ability to curiously explore and incorporate perspectives different from your own. 

• Able to act professionally with all visitors, clients, employees, and others and able meet the standards of professional work product. 


• Excellent communication skill and ability to follow oral and written instructions. 


• Able to work calmly under pressure and meet deadlines while coping with multiple interruptions. 


• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to learn and use variety of software applications. 


• Able to operate standard office equipment. 

• Ability to maintain ethical and professional standards of the office and observe strict confidentiality. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Frequent standing, walking, and sitting. 


• Frequent lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds. 


• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds. 


• Must be able to work at computer or desk area for extended periods of time. 

• Requires ability, with or without an accommodation, to use computer screen and other electronic devices, input information, read and interpret data from the screen. 


• Frequent stapling of thick papers for files. 


• Frequent filing including standing, stooping, and pulling out file draws which often requires reaching. 


• Other hazards are those present in a typical office. 

Benefits & Compensation:

• Compensation: $50,786.88


• Retirement contribution (No employee deferral required) On the 1st of the month after 6 months of employment. (Percentage is subject to change.)


• The Association pays 100% of employee medical and dental, and a majority of the premiums for dependents.


• Automatic enrollment in association paid $20,000 life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance for employees. 
  


• Combination of in-office and flexible work schedules.


• Access to the Employee Assistance Program, which offers Legal consultations for civil matters, financial counseling, access to free counseling sessions, and more.


• Free access to the Calm and Class Pass apps through Kaiser 


• 21 days of PTO per year to start.


• 11 days of Holiday Pay            

The Snohomish County Public Defender Association is committed to fostering a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.