Deputy Attorney General II/III/IV

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Norristown (Montgomery County); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Flexible Spending Accounts

Retirement plan

Job summary

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General seeks a Deputy Attorney General in the Appeals and Grand Jury Section of its Criminal Law Division. The role handles PCRA/post-conviction matters, direct and appellate work, and federal habeas matters. Strong written and oral advocacy is essential; some travel is expected.

Positions are full-time and non-civil service/non-union. Base salaries depend on level (DAG II–IV) with starting pay of $80,000, $91,423, or $104,529 respectively, and a telework option

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and PA Bar admission are required.
• Minimum 3 years (AG II) / 6 years (AG III) / 10 years (AG IV) of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience with post-conviction relief, appeals, or federal habeas corpus is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Respond to petitions under the PCRA and related post-conviction motions.
• Represent the Commonwealth in federal habeas corpus litigation and in state/appellate hearings.
• Defend judgments of sentence during direct and PCRA appeals and act as appellant in criminal matters.
• Provide legal advice and support to other attorneys within the Office and Commonwealth.
• Travel as needed for hearings and appellate arguments.

Skills

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Legal research

Evidence hearings

Appellate practice

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Admission to PA Bar

Job description

Position Information

Section: Appeals and Grand Jury Section/Criminal Law Division

Class: Deputy Attorney General II/III/IV

Location: Harrisburg, Norristown, or Philadelphia

Telework: This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week. You may have the opportunity to telework the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need.

Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, Non-union

Work Hours: 8:30 – 5:00

Salary Range: DAG II: Pay Range 9 – Starting salary of $80,000

DAG III: Pay Range 10 – Starting salary of $91,423

DAG IV: Pay Range 11 – Starting salary of $104,529

Please note that one position is being filled, and the level and salary offered will be determined by the years and type of experience of the candidate.

Basic Function

This is a Post Conviction Relief Act (PCRA)/appellate position in the criminal appeals section of the Office of Attorney General’s Criminal Law Division. A primary job requirement is excellent written and oral advocacy skill. Experience with evidentiary hearings or trials is strongly preferred.

The Appeals and Grand Jury Section represents the Commonwealth in direct appeals from criminal convictions, in proceedings under the Pennsylvania Post Conviction Relief Act, and in federal habeas corpus litigation. The section also provides legal advice and support to other attorneys, both in the Office and throughout the Commonwealth, on matters relating to law enforcement. The section’s work arises from prosecutions within the Office’s jurisdiction, as well as referrals from local District Attorneys due to a lack of resources or a conflict of interest.

Attorneys must also be able to exercise sound prosecutorial judgment and to manage an independent caseload. Although attorneys will be headquartered at a specific location, some travel will be necessary for hearings in state post-conviction and federal habeas actions, as well as appellate arguments.

Examples Of Duties

• Responds to petitions under the PCRA and other post-conviction motions, and represents the Commonwealth in evidentiary hearings in such matters
• Represents the Commonwealth in federal habeas corpus litigation, drafting answers and responding to motions, and appearing in evidentiary hearings in federal court
• Represents the Commonwealth, defending judgments of sentence during direct and PCRA appeals
• Represents the Commonwealth as the appellant in criminal matters
• Performs additional and related work as required

Minimum Experience And Training

Deputy Attorney General II:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work

Deputy Attorney General III

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work

Deputy Attorney General IV

• Graduation from an accredited law school, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal work

Health Benefits

This position qualifies you for the Commonwealth's benefits package which includes medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage. Medical coverage is available on your first day of employment! Prescription is also available on your first day, for an additional cost for the first 90 days of employment. Dental and vision are available after 90 days of employment as well.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are available to all employees, regardless of enrollment in our benefits.

Paid Time Off

OAG employees receive 12 paid holidays each calendar year, along with earning paid vacation time and sick leave each pay period.

Retirement

For new employees, the State Employees' Retirement System offers various options for enrollment into our retirement plans. You will receive specific information on these options shortly after you begin employment.

To learn more about the benefits available to OAG employees, please review the Summary of Employee Benefits.