Public Defense Paralegal Supervisor
6 hours ago
Seattle
Salary $93,247.65 - $118,196.62 Annually Location Dexter Horton Building - 710 Second Avenue #200, Seattle, WA Job Type Term-Ltd Job Number 2026AR27158 Department DPD - Dept of Public Defense Division Society of Counsel Opening Date 05/14/2026 Closing Date Continuous FLSA Exempt Bargaining Unit AD1 : L117-DPD-Sups&Mgrs-Staff Full- or Part-Time Full Time Hours/Week 40 hours/week The recruitment is open internally to current Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD) employees within the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) who have completed their probationary period. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. The posting will remain open until the position is filled, but applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 24, 2026, will be given priority consideration. This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months. Summary King County's Department of Public Defense is hiring a Paralegal Supervisor in the Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD), who will oversee and coordinate the work of paralegal staff, ensuring compliance with legal standards and effective workflow management. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in management and supervision of staff, strong conflict resolution skills, and the ability to implement and enforce policies and procedures. This role requires a deep understanding of criminal defense guidelines, legal research methods, and the ability to handle multiple priorities under pressure while supporting a diverse team. The Department's Mission Statement The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives, interests, and dignity. DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings. DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberty, and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website . ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following: Supervisory Responsibilities • Be available to work onsite at least three days or more a week in any of DPD's office locations in Seattle and Kent as required, • Assign and coordinate daily work activities, prioritize work, manage conflicts, and analyze workflow and standard operating procedures., • Develop, evaluate, train, mentor, and coach assigned staff., • Conduct performance evaluations and develop performance measures and standards; participate in the hiring process., • Mediate and resolve complaints related to Public Defense Paralegal services and serve as the final escalation point., • Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging with a diverse population., • Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPD's clients many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person. Administrative Management, • Develop and administer procedures and processes that support established guidelines and rules and regulations; ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws., • Reliably answers and returns calls, providing the DPD community with authentic support and demonstrating a willingness to assist them., • Serve as a backup for coverage as needed., • Perform other duties in support of DPD's mission as assigned. In addition to the Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements for the Public Defense Paralegal , the Public Defense Paralegal Supervisor will: Required Qualifications • Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, or a certification from an accredited paralegal training institution, plus three years of related experience., • Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License, or ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner to attend meetings and appointments., • Must be 21 years of age to enter facilities where clients may be held., • Must be able to lift 20lb Knowledge Of, • The Guidelines for Criminal Defense: Understand the guidelines adopted by the Washington State Bar Association., • The Attorney-Client Relationship: Comprehend the role and adhere to the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct., • Civil and criminal law, legal terminology, court rules, and procedures., • Legal research methods and practices., • Effective interviewing techniques., • General office procedures, equipment, and administrative practices.Ability To, • Provide excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing stress, trauma, and/or suffering from mental illness., • Demonstrate supervisory experience and the ability to effectively coach, counsel, and mentor paralegal staff., • Exhibit strong team management capabilities, including conflict resolution., • Lead and implement policies and procedures as directed by management and Human Resources., • Hold difficult conversations with supervisees, offering constructive and timely feedback., • Demonstrate professional and effective communication and listening skills., • Provide essential support in building and maintaining a strong attorney-client relationship., • Write advanced pleadings, motions, and briefs., • Ensure all work performed meets professional standards and complies with relevant statutes and county policy., • Handle multiple competing priorities, sensitive situations, and crisis effectively, functioning well under time pressure., • Accurately interpret complex legal documents, regulations, and laws., • Collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds., • Quickly adapt to new situations and work well under pressure, exercising good judgment in stressful situations., • Have regular, reliable, and predictable attendance to support timeliness and follow-through on legal items and scheduling affecting our clients. At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance. ARE YOU READY TO APPLY? The recruitment is open internally to current Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons Division (SCRAPD) employees within the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) who have completed their probationary period. Please apply at . To be considered for this role submit the following items: • Completed King County application., • A current/chronological resume., • A Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense. This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six months. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact our Talent Advisors at dpd- . Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment. Pay Upon Special Duty Placement Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position. WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION The Paralegal team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for this position is the Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee, you are expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform your job and will not be eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time. Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations. DPD Policies Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer. DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division. Union Membership This position is represented by the Teamsters, Local 117. Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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. To Apply If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement. King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs: • Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents, • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents, • Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan, • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass, • 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays, • Generous vacation and paid sick leave, • Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves, • Flexible Spending Account, • Wellness programs, • Onsite activity centers, • Employee Giving Program, • Employee assistance programs, • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position, • Training and career development programsFor additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page . This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass. For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting. recblid cwr7gjz5oz21gdl8w2h9ir5n408v89