Assistant Attorney General - Utilities & Transportation Division, Olympia

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Leave policies

Salary schedule transparency

Mentoring program

Health and wellness program

Training and career development

Flexible schedules and telecommuting

Job summary

State of Washington Office of the Attorney General seeks an attorney to serve in the Utilities and Transportation Division. The UTC handles regulatory matters for investor-owned utilities and carries work in administrative, trial, and appellate courts.

The role requires a law degree from an ABA-accredited school and WA licensure. The AGO emphasizes diversity, mentorship, work-life balance, and professional development with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Graduated from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Washington state.
• Candidates should demonstrate commitment to public service and public law practice.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commission or its staff before administrative, trial, and appellate bodies.
• Provide legal advice to the Commission and its personnel.
• Prepare briefing materials on technical issues for use in tribunals and courts.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships within a large institution.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaboration

Research and writing

Education

ABA-accredited law school

Licensed to practice law in WA

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 Washington State Attorney General’s Office seeks an attorney to serve in its Utilities and Transportation Division.

The Utilities and Transportation Division (known as “the UTC”) is one of the smaller divisions in the AGO, with seven attorneys and three paralegals. The division’s small size fosters a very collegial and collaborative working environment where attorneys communicate constantly and share workload as best as possible.

The UTC provides comprehensive legal services to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which regulates the rates, services, and practices of the companies that provide the backbone of modern life: investor-owned utilities (electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications companies) and common carriers (railroads, household goods carriers, bus companies, solid waste collection companies, private ferries, marine pilots, and pipeline companies).

The UTC represents the Commission or its staff in administrative, trial, and appellate matters. This includes representing the Commission’s regulatory and consumer protection staff in hearings before the Commission and representing the Commission itself before various federal agencies (in administrative matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Surface Transportation Board), state and federal trial courts (in original actions), and before state or federal appellate courts.

The UTC also advises the Commission on the various provisions of state law that it administers (mainly Titles 80 and 81 RCW, but also chapters in Title 19 RCW) and helps it navigate the interplay between state and federal law. This work is constantly evolving as the law governing utilities and common carriers is changing rapidly at the state level, especially in the energy sector, as evidenced by Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act and Climate Commitment Act.

In addition to meeting the requirements to apply and serve as an Assistant Attorney General, successful candidates for this position will have:

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to develop and maintain a diverse, respectful, and inclusive environment,
• The ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with employees of a large institution,
• The ability to manage a caseload before various tribunals, and
• Excellent research and writing skills for the provision of advice to the Commission or its personnel and for the submission of briefing on technical issues to various administrative agencies and courts.

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.

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.

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 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].