AAG – Consumer Protection Division’s Mobile Housing Unit, Spokane

Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at [email protected]. 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 and view THIS VIDEO.

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 $76,752 and $149,508. 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 Consumer Protection Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office seeks to hire a high-performing, dedicated attorney interested in and passionate about housing issues to provide advice and support to the Division’s Mobile Housing Unit in our Spokane Office.

Duties

As an attorney for the Consumer Protection Division’s Mobile Housing Unit, you will get the opportunity to work in the low-income housing space, serving some of Washington’s most vulnerable communities. Duties for the MHU attorney will include the following:

• Carry a caseload of complaints referred to enforcement after dispute resolution fails or are otherwise referred from the Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program Director. 
• Conduct investigations regarding compliance with the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act (MHLTA).
• Negotiate with the parties, including park counsel and tenant counsel, for negotiated resolutions of complaints and compliance with the MHLTA. 
• Issue written notices of violation or non-violation, cease and desist orders, fines, or other formal action on behalf of the dispute resolution program.
• Defend program orders and appear on behalf of the MHDRP in administrative hearings, where you will conduct discovery and present cases before an Administrative Law Judges through oral and written argument, taking testimony, and conducting cross-examinations of opposing fact and expert witnesses.  
• Represent the Program on appeals from the administrative process in Superior Court and the Court of Appeals.  
• Provide agency support and legal counsel regarding implementation of RCW 59.30 and interpretation of RCW 59.20.  
• Participate in outreach services by giving presentations to various stakeholder groups around the State of Washington.  
• Investigate and negotiate compliance with the Notice of Opportunity to Compete to Purchase Mobile/Manufactured Home Communities and bring enforcement action in Superior Court when necessary. 
• Represent the Program’s interests in stakeholder workgroups.
• Work with Division leadership and the Public Affairs Unit to respond to media inquiries about Program services and issues involving the MHTLA.  

In this position, you can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over your daily work while also working with team members who complement and cover for each other. 

This position will be based in the AGO’s Spokane Office. The AGO provides some flexibility with respect to schedules and telecommuting, consistent with the needs of the Office.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the ideal candidate must be detail-oriented, creative, have a strong work ethic, and enjoy working within a team-oriented community. A commitment to public service and to becoming a great consumer protection attorney is a must! 

The CP Division also seeks applicants that have:

• Three or more years of litigation experience;
• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders;
• The ability to multi-task, manage a caseload, and adapt to changing priorities and demanding deadlines; 
• Ability to travel on occasion if necessary. 

Preferred experience: 

• Experience handling cases involving consumer protection issues; 
• Experience with outreach and community partnerships;
• Experience with Landlord/Tenant issues; and/or
• Experience with the MHLTA.

To serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one 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.

Supplemental Information

This Assistant Attorney General positions 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 $76,752 and $149,508. 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. Complementing and fostering this goal is a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship, as evidenced in the AGO's environmental policies. 
 
Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system, preferably as PDFs:

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

For more information about the positions, or if you have questions about whether your experience would translate well to work in the Consumer Protection Division, please contact Eric Newman at [email protected]. 

*************************

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 race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation 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 [email protected]. 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.