Attorney General Jobs in Washington

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. 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’s Transportation and Public Construction Division (TPC) has an immediate opening for an experienced attorney to serve as an Assistant Attorney General as a member of TPC’s Government Operations Team (Gov Ops).

The Gov Ops Team provides legal advice and support regarding a diverse and interesting array of legal issues to TPC clients, including the Department of Enterprise Services (DES), WaTech, the Military Department (MIL), emergency management advice to the Governor’s Office, the State Building Code Council (SBCC), the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). TPC is a professional and inclusive work environment where we highly value teamwork, high quality legal service, and work-life balance.

This position is located in Tumwater, Washington, part of the greater Olympia area. Olympia is a diverse, affordable, and safe community ideally situated between the Northwest’s two largest cities (Seattle and Portland). The region is a historically rich area with excellent schools, easy access to hiking, skiing, and water sport opportunities, and a vibrant culture. TPC and the AGO support flexible and remote work, and we anticipate that the person hired for this position will immediately and for the near future perform a significant portion of their work remotely by telecommuting. The AGO will provide all necessary equipment and support.

Duties

The successful candidate will become part of TPC’s Gov Ops Team. Members of the Team provide transactional and general legal advice to clients in the areas of real estate, public works and general construction law, procurement and purchasing, technology services, insurance, and other areas of practice that support several of the core business functions of Washington State government. The Team members also represent agency clients in litigation matters at the administrative, trial, and appellate levels. Gov Ops members are assigned as lead AAGs to provide and coordinate advice as well as litigation and legal support to DES, WaTech, MIL, and other TPC clients for a broad array of legal issues, such as statutory questions regarding the scope of legal and regulatory authority during normal and emergency operations, open government law, administrative law, and a variety of contracting issues. Attorneys on the Team also have the opportunity to develop expertise in legal areas unique to our clients, including technology solutions and contracts, state and federal disaster and emergency management programs, the Governor’s emergency proclamation authority, deployment of the Washington National Guard, use of the Capitol Campus for free speech and political events, development plans for the Capitol Campus, and environmental issues arising out of state grants. Team members are highly collegial and collaborative, working together with other members of the TPC Division to provide excellent support to our clients.

The daily work of Gov Ops AAGs is highly varied and often involves cutting-edge issues. It can vary substantially from month-to-month and year-to-year. Typical work includes tasks such as:

• Providing options-based legal advice to client agency leaders and AGO and Division management;
• Negotiating contracts and real property transactions;
• Advising on state rulemaking and legislative efforts;
• Handling all phases of litigation, including preparation of pleadings, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, trial, and appeals;
• Working positively within a team setting to develop effective legal strategies; and
• Providing training to agency clients and external stakeholders.

This full-time position involves occasional travel.

For examples of just some of the work done by attorneys on the TPC Gov Ops Team, please visit the following client agency websites:

• Department of Enterprise Services, Contracting and Purchasing: https://des.wa.gov/services
• Department of Enterprise Services, State Building Code Council: https://www.sbcc.wa.gov/
• Department of Enterprise Services, Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project: https://deschutesestuaryproject.org/
• Military Department, Emergency Management Division: https://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division
• Washington National Guard: https://mil.wa.gov/national-guard
• WaTech: https://watech.wa.gov/services
• Recreation and Conservation Office: rco.wa.gov
• Department of Transportation: https://wsdot.wa.gov/

Qualifications

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

• Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and collaboration and promote a positive work environment that recognizes and respects all employees;
• The ability to maintain productive working relationships with attorneys and professional staff across the division, team and with the client;
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills;
• Experience developing practical solutions, exhibiting proactive and creative problem-solving skills and maintaining perspective; and
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

While not strictly required, the following qualifications are highly desirable:

• Litigation experience as a practicing attorney before a tribunal involving the Washington Rules of Evidence, Civil Rules and/or Rules of Appellate Procedure;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Experience providing independent, sound legal advice to clients; and
• A demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

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.

Supplemental Information

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 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.

Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the online application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) with date law degree was conferred; and
• Writing sample (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about these positions and/or wish to learn more about them before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Team Leader Dave Merchant at david.merchant@atg.wa.gov.

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 HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. 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.