Paralegal 3 | Ecology Division | Olympia Location: Olympia United States Salary : $5,666.00 - $7,622.00 Monthly Job Type : Full Time - Permanent Remote Employment /Hybrid Job Number 2026-05312 Department Attorney Generals Office Division Ecology Description Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com. Position and Salary The Attorney General's Office is recruiting for a permanent full time Paralegal 3 in the Ecology Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Paralegal 3 Salary Range 59: $67,992 - $91,464 annually (Effective 7/1/2025) | $69,348 - $93,288 annually (Effective 7/1/2026) The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The following stipends may apply based on position requirements: - Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend. The AGO provides a workplace that is understanding of work-life balance and promotes advancement by offering a wide variety of professional development and growth opportunities. Excellent benefits Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more. With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer: - Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options; - A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources; - Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ+, Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference! About the Ecology Division The Ecology Division of the Attorney Generals Office is comprised of 30 attorneys and 12 professional staff. The division represents the Department of Ecology, Puget Sound Partnership, State Conservation Commission, Pollution Liability Insurance Agency, and the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. The division works to resolve environmental problems and disputes using a variety of legal tools, including negotiation, multi-party mediation and litigation, when necessary. Division attorneys provide advice on a broad spectrum of matters, including permitting, legislation, rulemaking, and enforcement. The divisions practice includes hearings before administrative boards, as well as trials and appeals before state and federal courts. The work is interesting and varied and includes some high profile and long running cases. The ideal Paralegal 3 candidate would enjoy fast-paced work in a collegial team atmosphere. Duties and Essential Functions of a Paralegal 3 The Paralegal 3 leads a team of two paralegals that provide paralegal project support to the entire division. Projects include but are not limited to: - Legal research and document drafting - Using Everlaw to manage document discovery for both simple and complex cases - Preparation of administrative records - Trial/hearing preparation and support - Assisting litigation paralegals with cite checking The Paralegal 3 is the lead public records coordinator for the division, which includes: - Screening incoming requests to forward to the division - Searching for responsive documents - Taking the lead on initial review for responsiveness and redactions - Coordinating with division staff to ensure accurate and timely production of responsive documents This position serves the entire division so gets to interact with and support many facets of the division's work. Additionally, the incumbent is part of the extended division management team (DMT+) and the professional staff supervisory team. In cooperation with the administrative manager and the direct report, this position is responsible for preparing annual performance and development plans, and reviewing the performance of supervised employees, as well as making recommendations for awards and promotions. This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement. Required Qualifications Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens. Combination of six years of experience* through: - Paralegal certification - Two-year paralegal degree - Paralegal plus (or nine-month paralegal, post BA) certification, and/or - Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney OR - Two years' experience as a Paralegal 2 in Washington State Service. - Examples of paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney: - Preparing legal pleadings and legal correspondence - Ensuring and verifying timely and proper service of legal documents - Calculating, verifying, and calendaring critical events and other dates - Managing case documents, files and exhibits - Tracking and organizing discovery documents - Researching legal issues and verifying legal citations and references for accuracy Skills & Abilities A team oriented individual with strong critical thinking skills and a solutions-oriented focus and experience supervising and/or mentoring others. Familiarity with the Blue Book, Westlaw, Filevine, Everlaw, MS Office Suite, and Adobe Acrobat software is also desirable. Strong project management skills, preferably within the Washington Public Records Act context. About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General The Attorney General's Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes: - Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations) - Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources) - Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes) - And much more! Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state's interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here. Commitment to Diversity Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment. One recent measure of the AGOs commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Networks "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award. Application Instructions In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position: - A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position; - A current resume detailing experience and education. Read the Following Information Completely: - Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting. - You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days. - The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the "work experience" and "education" sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. - A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application. - All information may be verified and documentation may be required. - The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov. Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs. Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time. Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs. Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees. Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system. Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year. Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information. Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. Vacation (Annual Leave) Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave. Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave. Additional Leave Leave Sharing Parental Leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)