Administrator I
- Summary
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high-quality legal representation to indigent clients. DPD practices in several areas, including felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and contempt of court. The department also works to address racial disproportionality in the criminal legal system, the collateral consequences of system involvement, and other structural and/or systemic issues that undermine the rights of our clients and their communities. DPD employs attorneys, skilled investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff. Expert services are regularly funded, in keeping with state court rules.
The Administrator I provides a high level of support and coordination in the Director's Office, specifically in support of assigned counsel and expert services. Work is performed on an independent basis within established guidelines and procedures.
To learn more about DPD, please check out our website at: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/public-defense.aspx
Who May Apply: This recruitment is open to the public.
For more information, or if you have questions about this position or process, please contact:
Susan Eddy, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Human Resource Manager, DPD
susan.eddy@kingcounty.gov (preferred)
206-477-6003- Job Duties
- Participate in the development, coordination and support of programs or projects for assigned counsel and expert services.
- Assist in the identification and analysis of financial information, including identifying revenues, expenditures and discrepancies.
- Assist in data collection and analysis for assigned research projects; prepare summary reports of analysis.
- Provide information to management and staff on administrative policies and procedures, including collective bargaining agreements.
- Assist in the development and/or revisions to applicable administrative systems.
- Help develop monitoring and tracking systems to support work activities; administer and monitor such systems.
- Participate on internal committees as assigned.
- Communicate issues regarding assignment, client complaints or concerns, billing concerns, and expert service procedures with assigned counsel.
- Communicate issues regarding expert service procedures and payment with DPD Division employees.
- Communicate issues regarding complaints or concerns about assigned counsel, pro-se procedures and expert services with defendants.
- Assist pro se defendants with expert service process via telephone and mail; process pro se expert service requests.
- Coordinates and monitors assigned counsel panel member compliance with all court-required attorney certifications, insurance, and DPD requirements.
- Coordinate assigned counsel panel member access to records, databases, and services, including JABS, Sealed ECR, free King County jail telephone, etc.
- Coordinate meetings of SMC oversight committee; Assigned Counsel panel members; and Expert Masters by scheduling and preparing and distributing materials; attend meetings and keep minutes.
- Coordinate Office of Civil Legal Aid/Legally Free Child (OCLA/LFC) travel expenses and receipts for annual reimbursement to DPD; Maintain OCLA/LFC travel expense record and database.
- Track defendant concerns/complaints regarding assigned counsel.
- Monitor and manage multiple email boxes and responds to questions, directs questions to the appropriate person, or researches the answer to respond.
- Provide backup support to the expert services and assigned counsel fiscal specialists as needed.
- Provide support to assigned counsel regarding billing and expert services procedures and problems.
- Manage and track the applications to assigned counsel and assists as needed in the vetting and selection process.
- Maintain and update contact lists for current assigned counsel members.
- Maintain and update assigned counsel fee schedule.
- Maintain and update materials for the assigned counsel website.
- Maintain and update the expert services database on SharePoint.
- Maintain and update database of assigned counsel co-counsel requests and approval.
- Pre-screen assigned counsel billing for accuracy and completeness.
- Maintain files on all assigned counsel and assigned counsel applicants.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- A minimum of three years of providing increasingly responsible administrative or office management support to many people simultaneously in an office environment; a minimum of one year of experience in a legal environment is required.
- Basic knowledge of information-gathering techniques and principles for research assignments.
- Basic knowledge of financial principles and practices
- Knowledge of the role of the attorney-client relationship and the requirement to adhere to the Washington state Bar Association Rules of Professional Responsibility.
- Knowledge of civil and criminal law and terminology, court rules and procedures.
- Skill in analysis.
- Skill in interpretation.
- Skill in organization.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Skill in interpersonal relationships.
- Skill in mathematical calculation.
- Skill in self-directed problem solving in novel situations.
- Skill in handling multiple competing priorities, sensitive situations and crisis situations and functioning well under time pressure.
- Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including attorneys, clients, judges, court and administrative staff.
- Skill in the use of personal computer and work-related software, including advanced skill in Excel and Adobe Pro.
- Knowledge of DPD expert services processes and procedures.
- Knowledge of DPD and court databases and web sites.
- Knowledge of DPD Assigned Counsel Billing Practices.
- Supplemental Information
Work Location and Schedule: This position is located at 710 Second Avenue, Suite 200, Seattle, WA. This position is covered by the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. The work week is normally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Selection Process: Materials will be reviewed for qualifications, and the most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview process.
Required Application Materials: Interested individuals should submit an online application, resume, and a letter of interest detailing how you meet and/or exceed the minimum qualifications of the position
You can find the online application at:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers.aspx
Union: This position is represented by SEIU Local 925.
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:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- 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: King County employees are eligible to 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
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
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. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
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.