Assistant Attorney General - Corrections Division, Tumwater

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office serve a crucial role in the protection of the state, its people and resources, thereby providing an incomparable degree of job satisfaction. The AGO is composed of diverse, collegial and supremely talented legal professionals who are resolute in their commitment to public service and share the common goal of advancing the public interest. For more information about the AGO, we encourage you to review the Office's Annual Report which can be found HERE.

The Office appreciates the benefits of a healthy life-work balance as well as a respectful, inclusive and diverse workplace. Successful candidates will join an Office in which every person is committed to providing exceptional legal services and where individual professional development is encouraged and supported. The exceptional benefits of joining the AGO include :

• A competitive benefit package that includes affordable medical plan options, dental benefits and retirement plans
• Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
• Transparent salary schedule - AAG salaries are set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA
• The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st per Article 10.8 of the AWAAG CBA
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO's inherently collegial and supportive environment
• Health and wellness program
• Training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide

Are you interested in working on a tight-knit and collaborative team of attorneys representing and advising the Department of Corrections on a wide variety of legal issues? The Corrections Division of the WA State Attorney General's Office is looking for an attorney interested in working as an Assistant Attorney General in an advice and civil litigation practice. The attorneys in Corrections work in two primary units, the Civil Rights Unit and the Habeas Corpus and Sentencing Unit. This position would perform work for both units as assigned by unit managers.

The Civil Rights Unit defends the Department of Corrections and its employees in civil rights actions, Public Records Act cases, and personal restraint petitions related to prison conditions. These cases critically impact the state's corrections system and range from straightforward pro se civil rights matters to class action litigation challenging the constitutionality of prison conditions and programs. In addition, attorneys in the Unit serve as client contacts and legal advisers for the Department of Corrections and frequently work closely with DOC officials. The Habeas Corpus & Sentencing Unit represents the state in all federal habeas corpus cases filed by offenders in state custody who challenge their convictions or sentences pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Habeas unit attorneys also represent the Department in a significant number of personal restraint petitions and advise DOC on a variety of sentencing and community custody issues. The unit also advises the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board and represents the Board in personal restraint proceedings.

Duties

In the Corrections Division, attorneys and professional staff pride themselves on working together in a collegial and fun environment to provide high quality legal services on challenging and interesting issues.

The duties for this position will include :

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, successful candidates will have :

The Corrections Division is a collegial office that values the insight and contributions of every employee. The ideal candidate for this position will have several years of civil or criminal litigation experience; however, our team has had a lot of success mentoring and training newer attorneys and we welcome applicants of all experience levels who want to work hard and achieve excellent results.

Applicants must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA or completed the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program; and be licensed to practice law in Washington state. (Applicants who meet the other stated qualifications and are actively pursuing admission by motion will also be considered.) The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant's background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice. The AGO greatly encourages, celebrates and values diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfill its mission of providing excellent, independent and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people.

Supplemental Information

This Assistant Attorney General position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. AAG salaries are set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. A competitive state benefits package is also offered which includes a choice of medical / dental insurance plans, retirement, life and basic long-term disability insurance. In addition, there are non-financial benefits that include working in a collaborative and supportive work environment where professional development and work-life balance are highly valued. The health, safety and professional satisfaction of all AGO staff and volunteers is critical to fulfilling the mission of the AGO to provide exceptional legal services. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies. Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the online application, one must upload, via the system, preferably as PDFs : a letter of interest; resume; law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and a writing sample (10 pages or less). If you have questions about this position and / or want to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Division Chief Nick Williamson, Civil Rights Unit Lead Katie Faber, or Habeas Corpus & Sentencing Unit Lead Greg Ziser, at (360) 586-1445.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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