Salary: $110,087.54 - $139,542.21 Annually
Location : Dexter Horton Building - 710 Second Avenue #200, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Term-Ltd
Job Number: 2026JQ27581
Department: DPD - Dept of Public Defense
Division: Defender Association
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AD1 : L117-DPD-Sups&Mgrs-Staff
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time

Summary
This posting will remain open until filled and may close at any time without prior notice. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The recruitment is open internally to current The Defender Association Division (TDAD) employees within the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) who have completed their probationary period.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. The posting will remain open until filled, but applications submitted by 11:59 p.m. on July 10, 2026, will be given priority consideration.

This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months.

Summary

The Project/Program Manager III (PPM) for TDAD, may supervise and coordinate the work of legal assistants and other administrative support staff, ensuring efficient workflows, compliance with legal standards, and consistent interpretation and implementation of division operational policies and procedures.

The Program Manager is responsible for managing the office infrastructure of the Division and supervising a diverse team of legal assistants who provide specialized support to multiple practice units across the division's offices in downtown Seattle and Kent. The Program Manager will also be expected to hold supervisees accountable for their work performance while also assisting with their training and development. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience or interest in staff management and supervision, strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

Reporting to the Managing Attorney, the successful candidate will actively participate and collaborate with supervisors and management.

Job Duties

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the full scope of work performed by legal assistant support staff across all practice areas within the division.
• Supervise the legal assistant team by setting clear performance expectations, holding staff accountable, conducting investigations where appropriate, and providing timely, constructive feedback. Support employee training and development.
• Serve as a catalyst for problem-solving and effective conflict resolution within the team.
• Assign, prioritize, and balance workload among team members.
• Coordinate staff leave requests to maintain sufficient coverage. May provide direct coverage as needed to maintain critical function of team.
• Complete timely performance evaluations of team members. In consultation with Human Resources, implement and monitor corrective and career development action plans; provide support to enable employees to make positive changes.
• Be familiar with the case-weight credit policy manual used by the Department.
• Be familiar with all aspects of the Departments Case Management System (CMS)
• Work with the Managing Attorney to ensure team members have the training and resources they need to do their jobs well.
• Collaborate with other supervisors in the Department and Division.
• Manage internal division operations analyze operating procedures and identify methods to accomplish assigned projects in more efficient ways.
• Plan, procure and arrange all office equipment and moves of office staff:
  • On-board new division staff (secure business cards, supplies, ensure office is ready, track distribution and collection of keys, parking passes, etc.)
  • Act as primary contact with vendors (Teams phone systems, copiers, faxes) regarding maintenance and IT HelpDesk tickets.
• Process and document division expenditure and reimbursement requests (expert services; records request; travel; office inventory); liaise with department finance staff on payment and documentation requirements as needed.
• Run reports in Oracle; reconcile PCard purchases and expenditure reports, and verify and reconcile data discrepancies.
• Complete and submit staff changes forms to HR in a timely manner, ensuring all required information is accurate, complete, and aligned with the established process.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external clients in person and via email and telephone on processes and procedures within the office and in order to coordinate the activities of the office.
• Stay current with standards in the legal environment within and across practice areas.
• Participate on multiple committees which may including acting as a liaison to the Director's office.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Required Qualifications

• Three increasingly responsible years of experience working in the criminal legal system, with at least one of those years as a supervisor and/or lead, (inclusive of special duty and/or out-of-class work), OR a combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Ability to travel within King County in a timely manner as required

In addition to the above, highly competitive candidates possess the following:

• Demonstrated high level of skill and experience with communication, conflict management, and team building.
• Demonstrated experience in handling controversial situations with tact and diplomacy and the ability to assess potentially volatile situations and act accordingly.
• Knowledge of court and legal processes.

• Ability to provide mentorship to the legal assistant team and to train, supervise, set work performance standards, establish work priorities, evaluate and improve work of team.
• Ability to use tact and discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse internal and external customers.
• Skill in coordinating work of multi-disciplinary team.
• Skill in working effectively as a team member to coordinate accomplishment.
• Skills in gathering, manipulating and using data utilizing a computer and other tools.
• Skill in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Advanced decision-making skills with demonstrated experience identifying critical issues and effectively and efficiently allocating resources.
• Knowledge of project management and supervisory principles.
• Possess excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse individuals involved in the criminal legal system.
• Proficient in using current office software programs including Microsoft products such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, OneDrive, SharePoint and Outlook.
• Experience working in or supporting multiple practice areas in DPD.
• Experience with change management.
• Familiarity with Oracle.
• Demonstrated high level of skill and experience with communication, conflict management, and team building.
• Demonstrated experience in handling controversial situations with tact and diplomacy and the ability to assess potentially volatile situations and act accordingly.
• Knowledge of court and legal processes.

Supplemental Information
King County offers great benefits, to include a pension plan, holidays, transit pass, plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?

The recruitment is open internally to current The Defender Association Division (TDAD) employees within the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) who have completed their probationary period. Please apply at
To be considered for this role submit the following documents:

• Completed King County application.
• A current/chronological resume.
• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense in this role.

This recruitment will be used to fill a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position and to create an eligibility pool to fill additional SDA vacancies that may occur within the next six months.
Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.
Pay Upon Special Duty Placement

Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines for their base position.
The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, references, a personnel file review going back the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience and attach the required documents to your application.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact our Talent Advisors at [email protected].
If you have questions, please contact our Talent Advisors, at
Work Schedule and Location
The Defenders Association works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for this position is the Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Ave, Seattle.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
King County has a robust collection of to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:

• Dexter Horton Building - 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building - 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle
• Meeker Street Building - 420 West Harrison Street, Kent

This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and not overtime eligible. This position is expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform the job, and some night and weekend work is required.
Rotations of work location and area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. You may be required to report to any of our Seattle and/or Kent locations.
DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.

Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
Union Membership

This position is represented by Teamsters 117.