Washington State Paralegal Association

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!

Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

Do you enjoy researching torts and want to make a difference for injured workers? Come join the Legal Services Third Party team. 

This opportunity would allow you to review and analyze injured worker tort claim mediation and settlement requests, obtain supporting and clarifying information for the tort claim, and engage in settlement negotiations where indicated and appropriate with external parties. You would have extensive interaction with internal and external stakeholders.

You would have a key role in ensuring that the Third Party mediation and settlement program operates efficiently and effectively, achieving the expected outcomes set forth by agency and division leadership. You would also be responsible to make recommendations to their supervisor to support continual process and outcome improvement.

Duties:

Some of what you’ll do:

• Review, analyze and use independent judgment to take appropriate action on assigned tort mediation requests.
  
• Ensure proposed settlements meet discretionary criteria.
  
• Frequently communicate with injured workers, employers and/or employer representatives, and their lay or legal representatives concerning individual cases and ensure appropriate application of the legislative intent, as well as pertinent rules and internal policies.
  
• Compose and send correspondence, make needed investigation assignments, draft legal orders, contractual documents and assist with reporting requirements.
  
• Consult with, and mentor, team members in the unit and within the agency to ensure adequate understanding of: Third Party mediation, Settlement Program, and Workers’ Compensation laws.
  
• In office at least 1 time per week for duties that cannot be completed remotely. 
  

And much more!

• Qualifications:
  
  

  Required:

• Knowledge of Washington Worker’s Compensation law.
• Two years of experience in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, law or related field. Equivalent experience can be substituted year for year.

•  Desired: 

• Experienced and highly skilled at mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution of complex issues.
• Two years’ experience as a paralegal or legal assistant.
• Knowledge of Tort law, outside insurance industry and/or third party claims administration.
• Make effective, well-reasoned decisions in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to engage in sophisticated analysis of complex issues
• Ability to bring people together to find solutions to complex problems
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups
• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to proofread and finalize correspondence.

• Supplemental Information

  Things You Need To Know  

  To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, teleworking is one of the work schedule options for this position. L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.

  State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

  At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

  Telework is dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval. For positions where in-office work is necessary, the frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer. There is an expectation of this position to work at the Tumwater location at least 1 time per week. 

  The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater, Washington.

  To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for GovDelivery and select L&I job alerts.

  Application process

  We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

  Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.

2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and       education.

3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

• Please do not attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

  Background Check Notice 

  Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.  

  Other information

• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s Jobs@lni.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact the hrbtu@lni.wa.gov.

Click HERE to view the full announcement and apply!