Administrative Operations Manager | Complex Litigation - Attorney General's Office

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Washington; On-site; USD 102,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Telework options

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General is seeking a permanent full-time Administrative Operations Manager (WMS Band 2) for the Complex Litigation Division in Tumwater, Washington. This role leads paralegals and all administrative functions, coordinating with the Division Chief and management team to run a high-volume eDiscovery office.

Ideal candidates will combine strong people leadership with knowledge of discovery processes and policy development, ensuring efficient operations

Qualifications

• Paralegal certification.
• Two-year paralegal degree.
• Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney, including at least two years of supervision experience in a legal setting.

Responsibilities

• The Administrative Operations Manager oversees the Division paralegals and all administrative functions, in partnership with the Division Chief and management team.
• Manages a large eDiscovery workload and ensures office programs (HR actions, payroll, contracts, facilities) run smoothly.
• Leads meetings, policy development, and staff development to foster a positive and efficient work environment.

Skills

Paralegal

Supervision

eDiscovery understanding

Education

Two-year paralegal degree

Paralegal certification

Job description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at [e-mail]. 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.

Position and Salary

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full-time Administrative Operations Manager (WMS Band 2) for our Complex Litigation Division. This position is located in Tumwater, Washington and is not union-represented.

• This position is set as a Band 2 in the Washington Management Services structure.
• The salary range for this position is $102,222 to $127,778 annually.
• This position offers a growth and development salary range up to $132,924. The growth and development salary range is not available at the time of initial hire.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

Excellent Benefits

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more.

With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer flexible schedules and telework options for most positions, a Wellness Program, the Employee Assistance Program, and numerous affinity groups to foster community and connection.

Position Description

The Administrative Operations Manager manages the Division paralegals and all administrative functions of the Division, in partnership with the Division Chief (DC) and all members of the Management Team. The Division has a large eDiscovery workload. This position is responsible for running this diverse legal office from top to bottom.

If you thrive managing people and office programs such as HR actions, payroll, equipment & facilities planning, contracts, strategic planning, and essentially influencing all the details of an office while fostering successful and positive colleague relationships, this might be the opportunity for you.

What does it take to be a successful AOM?

The successful candidate will have a unique gift for managing people and will have a strong understanding of eDiscovery, the discovery process, and the roles and duties of a paralegal. The position requires someone who is consistently present with others, listens empathetically, and is committed to the staff’s success. They know how to bring out the best in others and flourish in an environment where they’re comfortable running meetings, influencing and recommending policy, and rolling up their sleeves and getting things done all in the same day.

Working with people, savvy management, and relationship development are the most important skills to succeed in this role.

About the Complex Litigation Division

The Complex Litigation Division is comprised of 28 Attorneys, 26 Paralegals, 1 Administrative Office Manager, 1 Investigator, and 1 Legal Office Assistant. The Division has staff in Tumwater, Tacoma, Seattle, and Spokane, Washington.

The Division has many ongoing cases challenging overreach by the federal government, such as HUD homelessness grants, public benefits programs, student mental health grants, gender-affirming care, FEMA disaster mitigation funding, the dismantling of HHS, teen reproductive health education, and public health grants, as well as a lengthy history of challenging past federal government action. The Division led multistate litigation to protect and increase access to medication abortion, and will remain at the forefront of the fight to protect Washingtonians’ reproductive rights.

The Division also litigates cases such as Washington’s lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic; lawsuits against gambling apps; challenges to the constitutionality of the State’s law restricting gun magazine capacity size and the law banning the sale of assault weapons; and issues stemming from the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

Case teams of AAGs and paralegals range in size from two to ten or more. The Division’s cases have substantial motion practice and frequently involve large amounts of documents and data. Some cases are fast-paced and involve requests for preliminary injunctive relief.

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

Join an agency whose work impacts the lives of every resident of Washington State. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes) And much more!
• Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here.

Required Qualifications

Competitive applicants will possess a combination of six years of experience through:

• Paralegal certification
• Two-year paralegal degree

and/or

• Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney, including at least two years of supervision experience in a legal setting.

Ideal Candidate Profile, Skills, & Abilities

The ideal candidates will be empathetic and professional. They will have prior experience managing legal personnel and projects effectively. They will have experience on large-scale eDiscovery projects and a thorough understanding of the role of a paralegal in discovery and litigation support. They will be comfortable with high-profile work and have the ability and eye for detail to review, make and implement office policies and procedures. They will have outstanding people skills to build professional relationships in and outside of the division. They will be a nimble team player and true leader who knows how to work with and develop staff based on individual needs in order to keep the office running. A true leader who works with the Section Chief and management team to keep the section running as efficiently and effectively as possible through:

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• Paralegal practices, policies, and procedures
• Management principles and practices, including training and supervision
• Litigation techniques and support

Demonstrated ability to:

• Develop and implement long- and short-range plans
• Develop internal operating procedures
• Organize, prioritize, and manage a large number of projects, resources, and diversified work groups
• Empower employees to contribute their knowledge, creativity, and expertise to further the Division's mission of providing excellent, ethical, and professional legal services
• Build and support a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment

Typical successful backgrounds for this position include:

• Law office management
• State agency office management
• Higher education office management
• Administrative professional who has worked up the ranks to office management in a professional environment

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO and we are committed to building an anti-racist and equitable agency. It is our goal to identify, discuss, and challenge racial inequity in the workplace and the impact it has on our employees, and, within our authority, combat racism that impacts the people of the State of Washington. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in a professional, inclusive, respectful environment.

Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2025 "Zo8 Washington Wellness Award".

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests

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 Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail]. 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.