TITLE:  Paralegal

LOCATION:  Administrative Service Center (ASC)

REPORTS TO:  Chief Operations Officer

DEPARTMENT:  Human Resources

HOURS/WORK TIMES

Generally 8 Hours Per Day / 260* Days Per Year (July-June)

*257 days for 2024/25 School Year due to three furlough days

This position will remain open until a qualified applicant is selected. The earliest date a recommendation for hire may be submitted is after December 19, 2024.

Position Duration: Permanent

Classification Group: Management/Confidential

Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) offers the following to eligible employees who work at least 630 hours in a school year:

• Medical, dental, vision, basic long-term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance through School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). For additional information click EPS Benefits Information.
• Employees may also be eligible to participate in FSA, DCAP, HSA, FPFSA (w/HDHP), and other supplemental benefits.

Employees may be eligible for employer-employee funded retirement benefits through Department of Retirement Services (DRS).

EPS offers paid holidays and paid time off, including but not limited to, sick, vacation, personal, religious, and bereavement leave. 

Pay adjustments, if applicable, will be made effective July 1. This job posting is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has exclusive rights to alter the job responsibilities for the position at any time without notice.

We appreciate your interest in employment with Evergreen Public Schools. The most qualified and competitive applicant(s) that possess directly related experience and expertise, training, and education may be invited to participate in the interview/selection process. As part of the selection process, the District conducts confidential reference checks to include former and present employers and also requires a criminal background investigation  including fingerprints Click here for Fingerprinting Services.

Failure to submit a full application package will result in disqualification.

STANCE STATEMENT:

Evergreen Public Schools are committed to eliminating the predictability of outcomes by demographic group and we strive to be a diverse community of schools that provides each member with the opportunities, access, resources, and support they need to be successful. With this in mind, our goal is to recruit, hire and retain employees of all racial ethnic/cultural, and national backgrounds who will bring their unique talents and skills into our educational institution to encourage students to thrive academically. Our district aims to provide an equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for all students and staff to succeed in a racially and culturally diverse local, national and global community.

SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Under the general supervision of the Chief Operations Officer, the Paralegal will assist legal services to the District’s Human Resources Management Team. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Communicate effectively with the staff and general public in person, by telephone, via E-mail and in writing.
2. Provide confidential paralegal/administrative support services to the Human Resource Management Team. Includes telephone, correspondence, composition, drafting and file summaries, filing, handling mail and other associated duties.
3. Review and analyze contracts for indemnification language and insurance requirements.
4. Assist Human Resources in responding to OSPI complaints.
5. Provide guidance to buildings and District Leadership regarding custody documentation and parenting plans.
6. Maintain confidential files and records.
7. Perform legal research.
8. Oversee, manage, prepare and coordinate public records requests for the District including communicating responses to requestors.
9. Coordinate the exchange of information with outside legal counsel, courts, and community representatives to maintain a positive relationship with the schools and community.
10. Perform calculations with regard to legal services, budgets and maintain accurate and concise reports.
11. Receive requests for statistical or informative material which can be assembled from records; prepare or oversee preparation, observing deadlines.
12. Research, compile and analyze data and prepare reports
13. Handle highly-sensitive and confidential documents and information.
14. Process incident reports, report insurance claims to ESD 112, and/or oversee claims as they affect District interests.
15. Confidential note taker for Human Resources Management Team.
16. Experience with the interpretation of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
17. Ability to assist with contract negotiations.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Perform other related duties as assigned. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS REQUIRED:

MENTAL DEMANDS REQUIRED:

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY:

Computer/Laptop, telephone, 10-key calculator, printers, FAX machine and all other tools and equipment necessary to perform the essential functions as listed above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A minimum of 3+ years of progressively responsible paralegal/administrative assistant experience. Completion of paralegal training can substitute for 1 year of experience.
2. Bachelor degree in related field preferred.
3. Knowledge of school liability laws and related court decisions.
4. Excellent legal research and writing skills.
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently and use good judgement in responding to inquiries.
6. Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and excel in a dynamic, high stress and time sensitive environment with frequent interruptions.
7. Outstanding interpersonal skills.
8. Ability to interpret collective bargaining agreements.
9. Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications, including a Windows environment and related Microsoft applications.
10. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally and possess a positive attitude.
11. Demonstrated ability to operate the office equipment as listed in the tools and equipment area above.
12. Demonstrated ability to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with established guidelines.
13. Demonstrated ability to compose written response to communications, using proper language, spelling, punctuation, and proofreading skills.
14. Demonstrated organizational skills and a commitment to follow through.
15. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks at one time with an eye for detail.
16. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
17. Must have a basic math aptitude and recordkeeping skills.
18. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with others as part of a team.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:

1. Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
2. Nurtures a positive school environment that celebrates, respects and values diversity, where teaching and learning are made relevant and meaningful to students of various cultures.
3. Initiates activities and discussions that lead to increased cultural competence of staff, informing and expanding teaching practices within classrooms.
4. Models instructional leadership and demonstrates a strong commitment to equitable outcomes for all students.
5. Ability to recognize each person as a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.
6. The ability and desire to establish positive relationships with persons regardless of race, gender, physical limitation, sexual orientation or religious belief, with an active commitment to equal opportunity for all persons.
7. Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and interact successfully with diverse instructional support services and administrative staff, including perceiving the needs and concerns of others; assisting others in resolving conflicts; motivating others; and designing programs to assist others in meeting organizational goals.

Notice of Nondiscrimination:

Evergreen Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: