Job Description

Posting number: 2026-05771

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: HCLA

Job classification: PARALEGAL 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Legal

DSHS HCLA Paralegal 2

Do you have a willingness to learn, a desire for continuous improvement, enthusiasm for legal procedures, and a passion for being a part of a social service agency? If so, this opportunity is for you!

Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA), is seeking a Paralegal 2. Adult Protective Services (APS) conducts investigations of abandonment, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect and offers, arranges for, and provides protective services to vulnerable adults.

In this role, you will directly support the statewide due process team, who provides support to the regions when determining whether an allegation is substantiated, and who represents the department in administrative hearings if a substantiation allegation is contested. As the Paralegal, you will operate under the supervision of the Unit Manager of Legal and Records at APS Headquarters, and perform paralegal work involving litigation support, file management, tracking, and other work necessary to support the due process team.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Coordinates and handles the scheduling of prehearing conferences and hearings
• Responsible for administrative hearing process, timeframes, and deadlines
• Ensure alleged perpetrators are notified of APS findings
• Work with internal and external partners to ensure appellants are given due process rights
• Serve as the central point for service of documents from the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) and the department’s Board of Appeals (BOA)
• Draft and prepare letters for service and filing
• Organize, maintain, and upload litigation hearing files and documents
• Examine and edit legal documents
• Research and check legal citations to ensure accuracy in legal pleadings and briefs
• Receive and respond to discovery requests in the form of superior court orders

What we’re looking for:

• Knowledge of legal terms and phraseology, legal forms, and documents
• Familiarity with administrative hearing procedures
• Ability to learn, apply, and interpret laws, policy, and procedures; and use good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and organize workload
• Ability to communicate through oral and written forms of communication, with management, peers, clients, and the public
• Ability to compose professionally cogent and grammatically correct documents
• Ability to respect and maintain the highest level of confidentiality

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

How to apply:

• Please submit 3 current references along with your application.

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter and reference 05142.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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