Assistant Attorney General - Social & Health Services Division, Seattle

Salary : $74,520.00 - $139,572.00 Annually

Location : King County - Seattle - Downtown Business, WA

Job Type : Exempt

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 2024-05547

Department : Attorney General's Office

Opening Date : 06 / 04 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HRE redacted .

Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at redacted 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 and view THIS VIDEO

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 $74,520 and $139,572. 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

The WA State Attorney General's Office has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General in the Social and Health Services (SHS) Division in downtown Seattle, WA.

The SHS Division consists of 36 attorneys and 35 support staff. The division provides legal representation to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in King County.

The primary client agency for this position is the Washington State DCYF, which files dependency and permanency cases arising from allegations of child abuse and neglect by the child's parent, guardian or custodian.

The division also handles litigation related to licensed facilities, including foster homes, childcare facilities and adult family homes;

cases involving the protection of vulnerable adults; and appeals of both juvenile and non-juvenile cases.

Duties

Are you looking for the opportunity to get into the courtroom right away? Not many legal jobs provide the chance to argue in the courtroom within days of starting.

If you want to learn trial skills, tackle novel legal concepts, and interact regularly with clients, all while helping Washington's most vulnerable population, then you are applying to the right place.

Our cases and our work are always interesting.

The primary assignment for this position is juvenile litigation. The work can be demanding and fast paced, but is highly rewarding.

Each attorney is expected to handle their own caseload with guidance and mentoring from their Team Leader. Attorneys can rely upon the support and assistance of professional staff as well as colleagues.

This position includes the following litigation opportunities :

• Handling all stages of a dependency or termination case from reviewing and filing the petition through mediation, settlement, and / or trial :
• Motions practice in dependency review status cases;
• Case-specific client advice;
• Civil litigation discovery;
• Frequent court appearances, and
• Consistent opportunities to First Chair trials within months of starting in the Division.

A typical week may include any of these tasks, as well as attorney-of-the-day coverage on juvenile court calendars.

The position is located in downtown Seattle, WA and many employees work a hybrid schedule with both in-office and telecommute days each week.

Court appearances are in downtown Seattle, the Central Area of Seattle, and Kent.

The work of the division is of critical importance, and division members rely on and support each other. We are always interested in candidates from different cultures and life experiences that bring value to our office.

Division staff, all of whom are talented, dedicated, compassionate and highly collegial, serve an essential role in the protection of the state's most vulnerable people.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, qualified applicants should have the following :

• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment;
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills and ability to deal with people of diverse backgrounds with respect and professionalism; and
• Litigation / courtroom experience is a plus.
• To serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one 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 $74,520 and $139,572. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA .

This position is located in King County and is thus eligible for 5% King County Assignment Pay. 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 on-line application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs :

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• Writing sample.

If you have questions about this position and / or want to learn more about it before applying, please contact Division Chief Zachary Brown at redacted or ( redacted .

This position is open until filled with a first review date of June 18, 2024. Interviews will be scheduled throughout the duration of the recruitment thus you are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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.

Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation / gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation 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 HRE redacted .

Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at redacted or www.washingtonrelay.com.

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