LEGAL ASSISTANT, CRIMINAL DIVISION

  • Kitsap County, WA
  • Port Orchard, Washington
  • Mar 08, 2024
Full Time Accounting and Finance Legal Services
  • Salary: $22.45 - $31.73 Hourly USD

Job Description

OVERVIEW

The Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office has a duty to protect the safety of the people we serve by addressing criminal behavior through the criminal justice system. We have a duty to ensure the constitutional rights of defendants are not violated, as well as to ensure rights of victims are recognized. We also have statutory and constitutional duties to provide competent and timely legal services to our elected county officials as well as appointed county department heads.

The Prosecutor's Office has an exciting opportunity for two Legal Assistants to join our team.

Under the direction of the assigned supervisor, the incumbent will perform highly responsible office support and advanced administrative support work in the provision of legal services.

For more information about the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office visit: https://spf.kitsapgov.com/pros/Pages/default.aspx

Interested candidates must upload a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position and qualifications.

This position will be posted continuously until filled.

A first review of applications will be done in the first week of January.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

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.
  • 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

Required Licenses, Certificates, Examinations/Tests and Other Requirements

Please note : The incumbent is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all of the following required licenses, certifications and other requirements.

Prior to employment, the successful candidate must :
  • 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.


ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
  • Provide support and assistance to victims during the legal process to include: Notifying victims of hearings, court dates and resolutions; Providing information regarding the status of
    cases and explaining the criminal justice process; Attends court with victims; Assistance with completing their impact and restitution statements and contacting victims for their input
    regarding specialized court alternatives for defendants.
  • Preparing, filing and issuing completed impact statements and restitution orders for pending court hearings.
  • Tracking and obtaining certified copies of pre and post adjudication protective orders and providing to victims.
  • Coordinating wraparound services for victims to include: information and assistance with applying for Crime Victim's Compensation; Assistance with registering for Vinelink and/or
    DOC victim services for defendant release notifications; Working with the community-based advocates to connect victims with appropriate services and coordinate victim support
    during their criminal justice participation.
  • Provide post-adjudication victim support through appellate remands, Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) hearings, Pardon and Clemency issues and Sexually Violent
    predatory hearings.
  • Process post-adjudication property disposition notices.
  • Grant related reporting activities to include: Running and analyzing reports from the case management system regarding grant-related positions activities and entering appropriate
    data into the InfoNet grant-reporting program for compliance with grant parameters.


OTHER POSITION RELATED INFORMATION

  • Who May Apply : This position is open to employees of the Prosecutor's Office. 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.
  • 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.


At Kitsap County, we strive to take care of our team! Our employees are the greatest asset of Kitsap County, and we take pride in offering a highly competitive compensation and benefits package to all eligible employees.

County Paid Benefits Include:
Medical - Kaiser Permanente (HMO) or Aetna (PPO)
Dental -Delta Dental or Willamette
Vision - VSP
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Life Insurance - Basic, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), Voluntary Term Life Insurance (VTL)
MetLife Long Term Disability
Voya Voluntary Insurance
Transportation incentives
Employee Assistance Program
Travel Assistance Program
Wellness program https://spf.kitsapgov.com/hr/Pages/Wellness.aspx
Benefits become effective on the first calendar day of the month following the month in which the employee is hired except if the employee's hire date is the first calendar day of the month, benefits begin on the day of hire. More information about employee benefits is available on the county's website at: https://spf.kitsapgov.com/hr/Pages/Benefits.aspx or the Kitsap County Digital Benefits Guide .

*Voluntary benefit options also available at the employee's expense

Retirement:
Employees are covered under the PERS retirement plan provided through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and Social Security.

Deferred Compensation (IRS Plan 457b): tax-deferred savings program

Holidays
11 paid holidays and 2 additional floating holiday per year

Vacation Leave
New employees are credited with 48 hours of annual leave upon hire and will be begin accruing at the rate of 8 hours per month starting on their 7th month of employment. Employees may carry over 360 hours from one calendar year to the next. Annual leave accrual will increase upon tenure, as follows:

Upon completion of 3 years: 15 days per year (10.00 hours per month)
Upon completion of 5 years: 20 days per year (13.33 hours per month)
Upon completion of 10 years: 25 days per year (16.67 hours per month)
Sick Leave
All new hires will be credited with 48 hours of sick leave upon hire and will begin accruing at the rate of 8 hours per month starting on their 7th month of employment. Employees may carry over 1200 hours from one calendar year to the next.

***Part-time employees benefit contributions and leave accruals will beprorated***

Additional compensation that you may be eligible for:
Shift differential
Overtime
Stand by pay
Call-back pay

Current County Employees
If you are transferring or promoting into this position you are responsible for reviewing these benefit changes; prior to accepting a position. In addition, it is your responsibility to notify the Auditor's Payroll Division of a change in union status.

Union Membership
This position is covered under AFSCME Local 1308 Courthouse Employees collective bargaining agreement. To view the bargaining agreement please visit our website: https://www.kitsapgov.com/hr/Pages/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements.aspx

NOTE: This is a general overview of the benefits offered through employment with Kitsap County, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts or is incorrect with the provisions of the Personnel Manual, applicable laws, policies, rules or official plan documents they will prevail. The Personnel Manual is available at: https://www.kitsapgov.com/hr/Pages/Personnel-Manual-2019.aspx

Job Address

Port Orchard, Washington United States View Map