Assistant Attorney General - Spokane Division's Social & Health Services Section

Washington State Health Care Authority; Washington; On-site; USD 84,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental plans

Retirement plans

Flexible schedules

Mentoring program

Telecommuting options

Job summary

Washington State Office of the Attorney General (AGO) seeks an Assistant Attorney General for the Social and Health Services (SHS) Section in the Spokane Division. The role involves providing independent, ethical legal services to the State of Washington, handling cases from DCYF findings to administrative hearings and state/federal courts.

The position requires graduation from an ABA‑accredited law school, WA State bar admission, and willingness to travel across the state for hearings.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an ABA-accredited law school and be eligible to practice law in Washington.
• Licensed to practice law in Washington State; admission to WA Bar required.
• Familiarity with public sector law and administrative proceedings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent the DCYF in State and federal courts and in the Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Maintain a high-volume, fast-paced litigation caseload.
• Draft motions, pleadings and appellate briefs; advise and communicate with clients.
• Travel statewide for in-person hearings as required.
• Collaborate with team members and support staff to meet client needs.

Skills

Public sector law

Litigation

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

ABA-accredited law school

Licensed to practice in WA

WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program

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.

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

The Christine O. Gregoire Spokane Division has an immediate opening for an Assistant Attorney General in the Social and Health Services (SHS) Section. While the position is managed from the Spokane Division, the person can work from any of the DCYF offices in Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Bellingham, Everett, Kennewick, Port Angeles, Vancouver, Wenatchee or Yakima.

This position supports the AGO and all 5 DCYF Divisions (Spokane, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle and RSD) by providing excellent, independent, and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protecting the rights of its people. This position is located and managed within the Spokane Division and provides client advice and representation in litigation to the Department of Children, Youth and Families with respect to founded findings regarding child abuse and neglect under Title 26. The position will primarily handle cases in the Office of Administrative Hearings, and in state and federal courts. Cases will be from all across the state and travel will be required to handle and cases that require in person hearings.

Spokane is a vibrant and beautiful city that enjoys four distinct seasons and provides residents and visitors with world class outdoor adventures, including: fishing and whitewater rafting in the Spokane River; biking the Centennial Trail; snow skiing at nearby Mt. Spokane, Lookout Pass, Silver Mountain, 49 Degrees North, or Schweitzer Mountain; and hiking, boating or fishing in a host of nearby lakes and nature preserves. Spokane also offers great indoor activities: theater, including Broadway shows; live music; multiple exhibits; and the opportunity to taste Washington's renowned grapes and hops at a number of local wineries and craft breweries. The Spokane SHS Section is comprised of 24 attorneys, 24 paralegals, 3 legal assistants and 2 legal office assistants.

The attorney in this position will maintain a high volume, fast paced, and sometimes contentious litigation caseload set with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) regarding findings issued by the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) under Title 26 RCW. These cases involve allegations of child abuse or neglect by the parents or legal custodians. The immediate client is DCYF typically appearing through social workers and/or supervisors. The attorney will have frequent court appearances. Pre-trial motions and status conferences are often conducted remotely, by phone or videoconference. Trials could be set for an in person proceeding or could be conducted remotely. A typical day for an attorney in this position may involve participating in short, remote hearings with OAH, reviewing case files, writing and responding to motions, meetings with the client, communicating with various parties via email and preparing for trials. The attorneys in this position may also be responsible for handling appellate litigation arising from trials. The attorney in this position will be required to travel to courts outside of Spokane when in person hearings are required.

Although the currently available assignment includes the type of work described above, the attorney in this position will be part of a team of attorneys with varied assignments that also include dependency, termination or guardianship caseloads for DCYF, DSHS clients and work related to protecting other vulnerable populations in our community. All attorneys in this team are expected to assist their coworkers as needed to ensure that all client needs are met. The attorney in this position may have future opportunities to experience other areas of law or change assignments depending on the interest of the attorney and the needs of the team. The attorneys in this section are part of a cohesive group of litigators and legal professionals who serve the public daily in their work.

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

• An expressed interest in the practice of public sector law;
• Strong desire to litigate on a regular basis;
• Strong writing and oral advocacy skills;
• Exceptional communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Desire to work in a fast paced environment;
• The ability to handle a heavy caseload through multi-tasking in cases involving often difficult subject matter;
• Experience communicating or working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences; and
• A candidate who is interested in practicing independently in Eastern Washington counties outside of Spokane is preferred.

Other skills that attorneys in these positions use on a daily basis include the ability to successfully negotiate contested matters, interview witnesses, review discovery, and provide effective client advice. This position has familiarity not only with state and federal laws governing child welfare cases, but also with the Administrative Procedures Act. While litigation experience or experience in juvenile law is a plus, they are not required. The candidate selected will also need to have the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment and the desire to promote a positive work environment based upon mutual respect and professionalism.

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 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 $83,856 and $157,080. The salary of an employee who's official duty station is Seattle would reflect an additional 5% King County Assignment Pay per legislative action. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CB A. 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 wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact SHS Section Chief Katie Christopherson at [e-mail] or [phone].

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 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.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact [e-mail]. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at 855-524-5627 or [e-mail].