Public Disclosure Officer | Civil Division
Apply NowCompany: City of Seattle, WA
Location: Seattle, WA 98115
Description:
Salary: $85,148.64 - $99,263.52 Annually
Location : Suite 2050 Seattle, WA
Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-00332
Department: Law Department
Opening Date: 03/11/2025
Closing Date: 3/25/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney's Office is one of Seattle's largest law offices and the state's third-largest public law office. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.
The Seattle City Attorney's office seeks a Public Disclosure Officer/Paralegal to join the team. This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate to provide support for our office in complying with the Public Records Act and similar records-related projects.
Job Responsibilities
Job Responsibilities:
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Desired Qualifications:
Additional Information
Application Process- For your application to be accepted you must:
Application Submission Guidelines- All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site.
Note: The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at should you need assistance with the online application process.
Race and Social Justice Initiative - The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
Compensation and Benefits - The full pay range for this step-progression position is $40.78 - $47.54 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $40.78 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. Advanced initial step placement may be considered under limited circumstances, but step salaries are not subject to negotiation.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney's Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at
Workplace Environment - Currently, the Seattle City Attorney's Office has an Alternative Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2 days in the office, 3 days remote). Effective Monday, April 21st, 2025, the Alternative Work Arrangement Policy will require 3 days in the office with the option of 2 days remote. This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.
Background Check Requirements - All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.
Who may apply - This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.
The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
Did you include all the required documents with your application? (Cover Letter and Resume)
02
Do you possess a certification from the Washington Association of Public Records Office as a Certified Public Records Officer, or the ability to obtain it within twelve months of assuming this position?
03
Do you have a bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or a related field? Or a paralegal certificate with 2+ years of legal, government, or equivalent experience? Or six (6) years of general office experience, including one year of experience processing public disclosure requests or working as a paralegal? Or a combination of education, training, and/or experience that provides an equivalent background necessary to perform the duties of the position?
Required Question
Location : Suite 2050 Seattle, WA
Job Type: Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-00332
Department: Law Department
Opening Date: 03/11/2025
Closing Date: 3/25/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney's Office is one of Seattle's largest law offices and the state's third-largest public law office. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice in Seattle with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.
The Seattle City Attorney's office seeks a Public Disclosure Officer/Paralegal to join the team. This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate to provide support for our office in complying with the Public Records Act and similar records-related projects.
Job Responsibilities
Job Responsibilities:
- Receives and interprets public disclosure requests, and coordinates collection, review, and release of responsive records in accordance with state law and city policy and may lead other staff in this capacity
- Uses GovQA to track requests, communicate with and invoice requestors, and provide records via the Public Records Request Center
- Communicates with requestors, records custodians, the City Attorney's Office, other public disclosure officers, and various agencies or third parties
- Closely reviews records for responsiveness and exemptions in compliance with the PRA, other local and federal statutes, and city-wide or departmental procedures
- Interprets requests and generates search terms for Boolean and other electronic searches in City systems and databases
- Ensures that correspondence with requestors complies with the five-day requirement for response under RCW 42.56 by acknowledging requests and giving a reasonable installment date, providing records, requesting clarification, or closing the request should there be no responsive records
- Sets internal deadlines with records custodians for the collection of records unavailable through electronic searches
- Organizes, processes, reviews, and redacts records, and prepares installments for disclosure using various document review platforms
- Identifies applicable exemptions during record review, applies redactions, and generates exemption logs
- Understands City retention schedules and maintains files in compliance with those schedules
- Serves as liaison with other units, sections, divisions, and other departments
- Advises department and leadership on public disclosure issues and materials
- Reviews and updates public disclosure processes for the department based on changing technology, updated laws, and departmental organization
- Attends Citywide public records training and meetings; may be occasionally asked to conduct training
- Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in business or public administration or related field;
- Or, a paralegal certificate and 2+ years of legal, government, or equivalent experience;
- Or, six (6) years of general office experience including one year of experience processing public disclosure requests or as a paralegal;
- Or, a combination of education, training, and/or experience that provides an equivalent background required to perform the work.
- Certification by Washington Association of Public Records Officers as a Certified Public Records Officer, or ability to obtain within twelve months of assuming this position.
- Ability to undergo a background check and CJIS certified
Desired Qualifications:
- Knowledge of RCW 42.56 and other statutes, case law, rules, and regulations used to respond to public records requests
- Two or more years of experience in public disclosure and/or records and information management
- Knowledge of principles and practices of public records disclosure
- Exemplary written/oral communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to interact effectively and provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers
- Self-starter, ability to work independently and exercise good judgment when responding to questions
- Ability to multi-task and perform assigned tasks under pressure of deadlines with frequent interruptions
- Ability to use judgment and logical processing
- Strong critical thinking, and analytical skills
- Strong organizational and record-keeping skills
- Ability to follow through on requests made to records custodians and ability to escalate, if needed
- Ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion and sound decision-making when handling sensitive documents
- Ability to set and meet critical weekly deadlines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, GovQA, and Adobe Acrobat Pro, specifically PDF redacting, portfolio, binders, and page editing
- Knowledge of electronic data management and databases, micrographics, scanning, imaging, and reprographic processes and techniques
- Knowledge of technology tools used in public records processes including eDiscovery platforms and search programs
- Ability and willingness to use available technology for searching, tracking, redaction storing, and producing public records
- Familiarity with electronic records systems, databases, and technical skills required to use litigation support technology
- Experience working with attorney-client privileged and work product records
Additional Information
Application Process- For your application to be accepted you must:
- Complete the online City of Seattle Application
- ()
- Include the following required attachments:
- Cover Letter describing your interest in the position. (.pdf, .doc, or .docx format)
- Resume detailing your relevant experience. (.pdf, .doc, or .docx format)
Application Submission Guidelines- All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site.
Note: The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at should you need assistance with the online application process.
Race and Social Justice Initiative - The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
Compensation and Benefits - The full pay range for this step-progression position is $40.78 - $47.54 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $40.78 hourly. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. Advanced initial step placement may be considered under limited circumstances, but step salaries are not subject to negotiation.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney's Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at
Workplace Environment - Currently, the Seattle City Attorney's Office has an Alternative Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2 days in the office, 3 days remote). Effective Monday, April 21st, 2025, the Alternative Work Arrangement Policy will require 3 days in the office with the option of 2 days remote. This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate.
Background Check Requirements - All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.
Who may apply - This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.
The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Seattle City Attorney's Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.
Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
Did you include all the required documents with your application? (Cover Letter and Resume)
- Yes
- No
02
Do you possess a certification from the Washington Association of Public Records Office as a Certified Public Records Officer, or the ability to obtain it within twelve months of assuming this position?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have a bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or a related field? Or a paralegal certificate with 2+ years of legal, government, or equivalent experience? Or six (6) years of general office experience, including one year of experience processing public disclosure requests or working as a paralegal? Or a combination of education, training, and/or experience that provides an equivalent background necessary to perform the duties of the position?
- Yes
- No
Required Question