Paralegal Jobs in Rochester, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $5,240.00 - $7,044.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-05771
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: HCLA
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
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.
This advertisement was reopened to widen the applicant pool. If you already applied, you do not need to reapply.
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:

• Combination of four years of experience through paralegal certification, two-year paralegal degree, and/or paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney

OR

• One year experience as a Paralegal 1

Note: Some positions may require at least one year of training and mentoring others
Equivalent education/experience.
How to apply:

• Please submit 3 current references along with your application.

Questions? Please reach out to 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 Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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. That's 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)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual 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.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
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
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
01
Please select the combination of education and experience that best applies to you below:

• I have graduated from an accredited two-year paralegal training course
• I have graduated from an accredited four-year college and completed a nine-month paralegal program or one year of paralegal experience
• I have at least three years of experience as a legal secretary/assistant and 30 quarters or equivalent semester hours in nonsecretarial legal courses which are normally part of a paralegal course at a college or community college
• I have an equivalent combination of education and experience
• None of the above applies to me

Required Question