Paralegal II - Special Assault Unit, Gender Based Violence & Prevention Division

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is looking for a highly-motivated individual to join our team as a Paralegal II in the Special Assault Unit of our Gender-Based Violence & Prevention Division (GBVP). 

Working in our Special Assault Unit means being part of a team that created one of the first specialized units in the country focused exclusively on cases involving the sexual and physical abuse of children and adults, with the goal of ensuring that these complex and sensitive cases are handled with the integrity, professionalism, and compassion with which they deserve. Being a Special Assault Unit (SAU) Paralegal for our office means leading with a victim-centered approach on these serious and complex cases, as well as the opportunity to work collaboratively with Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys (DPAs), other paralegals and legal assistants, victim advocates, law enforcement, and other community partners in fulfilling our mission to do justice. 

• We exercise the power given to us by the people with fairness and humility.
• We serve our diverse community, support victims and families, and hold individuals accountable.
• We develop innovative and collaborative solutions for King County and the State of Washington.

• Assist prosecutors in all phases of trial preparation; prepare, process and e-file legal documents; generate, process, print and send witness letters and subpoenas for service
• Maintain case management system (Prosecutor by Karpel – PbK) to reflect updated witness information, court dates, discovery dissemination, trial and disposition information, and any other important information that needs to be documented.
• Manage discovery: Organize, index, scan, Bates stamp, redact, and prepare voluminous amounts of materials for dissemination that are received in various hard and electronic formats. 
• Manage daily work requests within “MyView” in PbK.
• Create trial exhibits, redact video and audio recordings, and request and monitor transcript requests.
• Redact discovery in programs such as Adobe Pro, Shotcut, evidence.com and Audacity.
• Request jail calls, upload calls in Jail Call Database and review calls as needed; create exhibits, set-up equipment for trial
• Maintain overview of the status of each assigned deputy prosecutor’s caseload; assist detectives/prosecutors with processing search warrants per KCPAO Criminal Division policy
• Communicate and serve as a liaison with deputy prosecutors, law enforcement officers, defense attorneys, defense investigators, court personnel, witnesses, victims and other agencies; review and interpret legal documents and explain legal procedures to victims, witnesses, and the public,
• Attend witness interviews as needed, take and coordinate witness interviews and testimony
• Coordinating and arranging witnesses travel and lodging accommodations, including flights, housing, and transportation.
• A successful candidate will possess a desire to learn a wide variety of new skills and be able to adapt to, and work comfortably in, a fast-paced work environment and have knowledge of legal office practices and procedures, particularly in the Criminal Division.  They will be flexible and possess the ability to work both as part of a small team and independently. 
• Active participation in PAO equity work, attending equity training and discussions.
• Other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will perform a variety of tasks that require the exercise of initiative and independent judgment and the ability to anticipate needs and appropriately respond. 

• Must possess excellent organizational skills, have a high attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service in communications with people of diverse backgrounds, including victims, witnesses, law enforcement, and the public in a tactful, diplomatic, patient, and professional manner.
• Must be receptive to instructions, feedback, and coaching. 
• Ability to use independent judgment, exercise initiative, anticipate needs, and respond appropriately.
• Demonstrates strong discernment skills in using discretion when working with confidential information. 
• Analytical and critical thinking skills to make decisions and initiate action.
• Proven time management skills to handle multiple tasks effectively and accurately within short deadlines.
• Flexible and possess the ability to work both as part of a small team and independently,
• Desire and aptitude to learn new concepts, programs, and software on the job.
• Knowledge of legal office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive), Adobe Pro Acrobat.
• Familiarity with Evidence.com, Prosecutor by Karpel (PbK), KC Script, JABS, SAW, JBRS, PeopleMap/Accurint and other criminal justice programs is a plus.
• Knowledge of the legal system; possession of paralegal skills, knowledge of legal terminology and application of laws, rules, and regulations, specifically in the criminal justice system.
• Ability to accept instruction, feedback, and coaching, and to translate it into results. 
• Must have demonstrated predictable, reliable and timely attendance. 
• Any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work. 
• Actively participate in PAO equity work, attending equity training and discussions.  Provide support for the Race, Equity and Social Justice policy and principles, work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Finalists must successfully submit to a criminal background check, reference check, and be fingerprinted.

* In addition to the benefits listed on the benefits tab, employees with less than 2 years of service will receive .25 per hour less than the hourly salary table due to a mandatory contribution toward the Teamsters Pension Trust that was voted by members of the collective bargaining agreement between our office and Teamsters Local No. 117.  This contribution is made by the employee and after two years it is paid by the employer.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Karla Avila Vargas (she/her) at [email protected].

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.