Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Everett

State of Washington; Everett (WA); Presencial; USD 84.000 - 157.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Competitive benefits package

Flex schedules and telecommuting

Mentoring program

Health and wellness program

Descripción de la vacante

The Washington State Attorney General's Office seeks an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Regional Services Division in Everett. This role focuses on representing the Department of Children Youth and Families within a collaborative child welfare litigation team in Everett.

While child welfare cases remain primary, opportunities exist to engage with other state agencies and educational institutions. The Everett office comprises 17 attorneys and 20 professional staff, handling litigation,

Formación

• Licensed to practice law in Washington State.
• Graduated from ABA‑accredited law school or WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program.

Responsabilidades

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention.
• Review petitions and related documents.
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and Washington ICWA.
• Consult with social workers and agency staff.
• Submit and respond to discovery.
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial.
• Review reports submitted to the court.
• Conduct legal research and analysis.
• Submit relevant briefing to the court.
• Communicate with other attorneys and guardians ad litem.
• Consider settlement options; take cases to trial.

Conocimientos

Adaptability to high caseload

Client agency communication

Independent judgment

Time management

Organizational skills

Educación

ABA/WSBA-eligible law degree

Descripción del empleo

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.

The WA State Attorney General’s Office seeks to fill an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) position in the Regional Services Division in Everett.

This position will primarily focus on representation of the Department of Children Youth and Families. We are excited to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and collaborative child welfare litigation team in the Everett Section of the Regional Services Division! While child welfare litigation cases would be your primary assignment, RSD provides the unique opportunity to expand your experience with additional opportunities to work with a wide variety of clients including other state agencies and educational institutions.

The Everett office includes 17 attorneys and 20 professional staff and provides representation to its clients through litigation and client advice. Litigation includes hearings and trials in juvenile court, superior court, and administrative hearings under the Administrative Procedures Act. RSD Everett attorneys are also responsible for handling cases appealed to the Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. The office’s clients include:

• Department of Children, Youth and Families
• Department of Labor and Industries
• Department of Social and Health Services
• Education clients

About the Office

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 $83,856 and $157,080. 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

It is anticipated that the attorney in this position will primarily carry a child welfare litigation caseload. This will include representation of DCYF in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. The subject matter can be difficult, but the work is remarkably rewarding. These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state, in a very meaningful way. The position will involve litigation before the Office of Administrative Hearings, trial and appellate courts.

The assigned AAG can expect to:

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention;
• Review relevant petitions and other documents;
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act;
• Consult with social workers and other agency employees;
• Submit and respond to discovery;
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial;
• Review reports submitted to the court;
• Perform research and analysis;
• Submit relevant briefing to the court;
• Communicate frequently with other attorneys and guardians ad litem;
• Consider settlement options;
• Take cases to trial, and
• Take all other actions related to these matters.

In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, specific qualifications include:

• The ability to quickly adapt to a practice that involves assignment of 60 or more cases at a time, and the ability to shift from one type of work to another during a given week or day;
• The ability to communicate with a variety of client agency representatives efficiently and effectively, as well as with attorney and non‑attorney colleagues within the office, is critical to success in the position;
• Exercise independent judgment within the context of a large law office striving to provide consistent representation to client agencies in locations throughout the state;
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage time, to identify and prioritize tasks necessary to complete, and;
• Maintaining a well‑organized practice under significant case load demands are essential.

Whether you’re an experienced attorney or you’ve just graduated from law school and have taken the bar, we encourage you to apply!

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 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.

This AAG 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 $83,856 and $157,080. 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.

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 Jennifer Mankowski Dixon at [e-mail].

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.

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 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 [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.