Legal Assistant 1 (LA1/DLS) – Washington State

Title of the Job: Legal Assistant 1 (LA1/DLS)

Location: Olympia, WA

Job Description: DescriptionLegal Assistant 1 (LA1/DLS)71043631As part of the intake team, this position receives incoming appeals and cases for the Medicaid caseload in support of staff attorneys. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who is motivated to learn and not afraid to ask questions and seek tasks from the legal team they support. HCA has positions at every level of the legal paraprofessional series, so this is a great opportunity to build a legal career with an agency doing important work on behalf of Washingtonians.All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.About the division:The Division of Legal Services (DLS) provides support to the entire agency to mitigate risks, comply with changing laws, and assist the agency in accomplishing its strategic and tactical goals. The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) is comprised of staff attorneys, paralegal staff, and other professional hearings staff that represent the Health Care Authority (HCA) in administrative hearings and brief adjudicative proceedings and provide legal services to HCA programs and staff.About the position:The Legal Assistant 1 supports DLS by providing legal support services to HCA’s adjudicative proceeding processes for the SEBB/PEBB and Medicaid Programs. This position reports to the Legal Administrative Manager but may take direction and assignments from other OLA managers and the Legal Assistant 3 within OLA.The Legal Assistant 1 comes in contact with many forms of confidential information, including, but not limited to, personnel information, investigations, lawsuits, public disclosure requests and management strategies under discussion. Additionally, this position performs entry level paralegal and computer duties. Also, this position will review legal notices to ensure timely processing and accurate data entry into tracking systems, prepare hearing files, perform records management, provide customer service to callers, and administrative support to the staff within OLA, including the staff attorneys and paralegals.This position is eligible to telework but is also required to report on-site two days per week to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA may choose, but is not required, to support out-of-state telework on a case-by-case basis.DutiesSome of what you will do:

• Drafts, edits, and mails the Notice of Representation to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Verifies Master Hearings Calendar and hearings staff calendars to ensure that the hearing date, time, location, and person assigned is accurate.
• Schedules hearings for the hearing representatives.
• Opens, monitors, and closes Medical, Dental, Transportation, and Equipment (MDTE) case files.
• Provides clerical support of cases, including proofreading and editing of legal documents for content and grammar, composing correspondence for signature, and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy and consistency.
• Provides general clerical and administrative support to unit supervisors or attorneys within OLA.
• Acts as a point of contact with the Office of Administrative Hearings on behalf of OLA in scheduling and assigning administrative hearings related to MDTE Programs.
• Effectively communicates with Board of Appeals, HCA Staff, client agencies, appellants, the public and other interested parties regarding cases, trials, and hearings.
• Addresses basic questions from parties, attorneys, Board of Appeals, the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Attorney General’s Office, agency customers, etc.
• Timely and accurately enters high volumes of data from multiple sources.
• Provides back-up coverage for the Legal Assistant 2, the Legal Assistant 3, and the Legal Office Assistants.
• Provides back-up administrative support for the OLA Section Manager and other OLA managers, as well as the Chief Legal Officer’s executive assistant.

QualificationsRequired qualifications:Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:Option 1:

• High School diploma or equivalent and
• Two (2) years of clerical experience including a minimum of one (1) year of experience in a legal environment.

Option 2:

• Two years of legal office experience.

Option 3:

• A combination of three years of college education and/or relevant experience.

Option 4:

• A two-year degree in legal studies, paralegal studies, or related field of study.

Note: Candidates may be required to demonstrate skills in keyboarding, filing, proofreading, grammar, spelling and use of office equipment through agency specific skills testing.Preferred qualifications:Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Visio, Access, Power Point, and Excel).
• Legal terminology.
• Local, state, and federal courts, boards and commissions rules and their application.
• Court procedures.
• Legal forms and documents and their processing.
• Resources for checking legal citations.
• Current legal office practices, methods, and procedures.
• Law office communication.
• Correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary skills in compliance with standard law office practice, database/index systems, and discovery procedures.

Experience:

• Experience using case management systems and information databases.
• Experience managing records according to a record retention schedule.

Ability to:

• Use case management systems.
• Proofread for accuracy and content.
• Understand and apply procedures, policies, and guidelines.
• Prepare legal pleadings.
• Learn and adapt to changing business needs.
• Use good judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Establish and maintain professional and respectful work relationships with co-workers, clients, and the general public.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Exhibit good oral and written communication.
• Demonstrate professionalism at all times.

How to apply:Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Supplemental InformationAbout HCA:Functioning as both the state’s largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• Tuition reimbursement
• And free parking!

Notes: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.HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at . Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at or 360.725.0945.The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an . All applicants with a in the United States are encouraged to apply.E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.to receive a list of new job postings at HCA.

Company Name: Washington State

Salary: $39804 – 52920 per year

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