Legal Assistant 4 (DOH6808)
State of Washington
Job location
Tumwater, WA
Job details
Apply early! This recruitment will remain open continuous. Application review begins October 13, 2022 and will be ongoing thereafter. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or to close the recruitment at any time.
This recruitment is for a full-time, permanent Legal Assistant 4 (LA 4) position in the Division of Health Systems Quality Assurance, Office of Investigative and Legal Services.
The Washington State Department of Health works to protect and improve the health of all people in our state. This position supports our mission by supervising seven (7) legal assistants and providing senior-level legal support in the Office of Investigative and Legal Services (OILS) as it provides disciplinary and professional services to ensure patient safety.
The Office of Investigative & Legal Services is within the Division of Health Systems Quality Assurance. Our top priority is to protect and improve the health of people in Washington state. We do this by helping to prevent injuries, develop health systems and improve patient safety. We work closely with communities and local health partners to build robust health systems and prevention programs. This helps ensure that everyone has access to good healthcare and emergency medical services.
The duty station for this position is in Tumwater, WA. The incumbent will be expected to report to the duty station in person the majority of the first six months to learn all the different facets and rhythm of the office. Partial telecommuting may be an option subject to supervisory approval.
About the Department of Health
The vision of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is equity and optimal health for all. Our mission is to work with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state. Learn more about the DOH Transformational Plan.
Our Values
Good organizations know what they do and how they do it. Great organizations also understand why they do it. Our values are:
• Human-centered: We see others as people who matter like we do and take into account their needs, challenges, contributions, and objectives.
• Equity: We are committed to fairness and justice to ensure access to services, programs, opportunities, and information for all.
• Collaboration: We seek partnership and collaboration to maximize our collective impact. We cannot achieve our vision alone.
• Seven Generations: Inspired by Native American culture, we seek wisdom from those who came before us to ensure our current work protects those who will come after us.
• Excellence: We strive to demonstrate best practices, high performance, and compelling value in our work every day.
The Washington State Department of Health acknowledges that our locations statewide are on the homelands of Native people, who have lived in this region from time immemorial. Currently, within the boundaries of Washington State, there are 36 tribes, 29 of which are federally recognized, that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington State. Some of these are nations and confederacies that represent multiple tribes or bands. We express our most profound respect for and gratitude toward these original and current caretakers of the region. As a public health agency, we acknowledge our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with these tribes and Native peoples, in support of tribal sovereignty and the inclusion of their voices in public health programs and policies. We pledge that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.
Benefits of Working for DOH
Washington is America's Top State according to U.S. News (2021) and provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We also offer:
• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for many positions.
• Growth and development opportunities.
• A wellness program that offers education, access to healthy food, and fitness classes.
• Opportunities to serve your community through meaningful work.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters an inclusive environment that encourages all employees to bring their authentic selves to work.
• An Infant at Work Program based on the long-term health values of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding.
• Employee resource groups that provide forums for employees to gather and share ideas about matters that affect their personal and professional lives and support career development.
Tumwater is a vibrant city just south of Olympia, the state's capital, with a small-town feel conveniently situated in the Puget Sound area between Seattle and Portland. The rugged Olympic Mountains rise in the distance, and Mount Rainier seems close enough to touch on a clear day. Tumwater enjoys the benefits of an engaged and educated community and a well-supported school system, with two universities and a community college within a ten-mile radius.
Tumwater is located in Thurston County, Washington, homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including those recognized today as the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, and the Nisqually and Squaxin Indian Tribes. We acknowledge their presence here since time immemorial and recognize their continuing connection to the land, to the water, and to their ancestors.
Duties:
This position serves as the lead Legal Assistant in the office supervising seven legal assistants. The position works in a team environment to support the department’s mission of protecting and improving the health of people in Washington state.
Essential functions of this position include:
• Supervise, train, set expectations, coach, and identify training needs of legal assistants.
• Assign, track, and monitor workflow, and review work of legal assistants for quality assurance, and ensure office protocols are being followed.
• Prepare, review, and distribute legal documents for staff attorneys, case managers, and paralegals relating to the disciplinary process, applying knowledge of disciplinary and adjudicative proceedings, policies, and procedures.
• Enter and update information in the division’s enforcement database.
• Serve as a member of the Office of Investigative and Legal Services management team.
What we're looking for
Our ideal candidate has a driving passion for the work, brings humility to their job and interactions, and understands how their actions affect others. They see the needs and objectives of others and take them into account while achieving their objectives, and they adapt their approach and expectations accordingly. Our ideal candidate demonstrates resilience to model outward behaviors including seeing people like ourselves whose goals, objectives, needs, and challenges matter.
Required Qualifications
• Option 1: Five (5) years of experience in a legal environment in support of an attorney, administrative law judge(s), review judge(s) or equivalent, including at least two (2) years of supervising, leading, mentoring, coaching, or training experience.
• Option 2: One (1) year of experience as a Legal Assistant 3.
• Option 3: A combination of six (6) years of college education and/or relevant experience, including at least two (2) years of supervising, leading, mentoring, coaching, or training experience.
Note: 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.
Desired Qualifications
• Two (2) years recent experience in a legal environment in direct support of an attorney, administrative law judge(s), industrial insurance appeals judge(s), review judge(s), or equivalent.
• One (1) year of experience with Adobe Acrobat DC.
• Intermediate user of Microsoft Word and Outlook. Able to create documents, edit, format, and move between programs.
• Experience proofreading legal documents using proper grammar and editing skills.
• Experience working with difficult customers and prioritizing tasks.
Application Process
Intrigued? Click "Apply" to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:
• A coverletter, describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are interested in this position.
• A current resume.
• Three (3) or more professional references, to be listed in your profile under the references section which includes at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have supervised or led.
Please do not attach any letters of recommendation or other documents not requested above.
Important Note: Do not attach documents that contain a photo or private information (social security number, year of birth, transcripts, etc.) or documents that are password protected or not requested above. These documents will not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.
Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and year of birth.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer. DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful. We prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.
Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions
As stated in Governor's Proclamation 21-14, all employees engaging in work for the Department of Health must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before their hire date. The Office of Human Resources will verify proof of vaccination after an employment offer has been extended.?
This position requires an onsite/in-person presence. A medical or religious exemption to the vaccine mandate cannot be accommodated at this time. Contact
HR@doh.wa.gov
with any questions.
With or without an accommodation, I am willing and able to:
• Travel infrequently to attend a board or commission meeting.
• During a public health emergency, assist with emergency response activities as needed.
If you have questions, need alternative formats or other assistance please contact Cher Williams at (360) 236-4545,
cher.williams@doh.wa.gov
, or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1. Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can’t log in, password or email issues, error messages).
SUBSCRIBE to DOH Job Alerts
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Location: Thurston County – Tumwater, Washington
Agency: Dept. of Health
