Assistant Attorney General – Criminal Justice Division, Seattle or Tumwater

Description

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 Bob Keppel Criminal Justice Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has an opening for an experienced attorney to provide client advice and litigation services to its criminal justice client agencies, the Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. The selected candidate will be part of a three-attorney unit that provides legal support to these clients.  This position will be in our offices located in either downtown Seattle or Tumwater.

The Washington State Patrol is a general authority law enforcement agency budgeted for approximately 1,100 commissioned personnel. It is a diverse agency with a mission that extends beyond that of other law enforcement agencies. In addition to its patrol and enforcement responsibilities, the Patrol is the State’s repository for criminal records, provides the State with crime and forensic laboratory services, is Washington’s centralized point for firearms background checks, and also contains the State Fire Marshall’s Office, among other responsibilities.  

The Criminal Justice Training Commission is a state agency mandated to provide basic and advanced training to peace and corrections officers in the State of Washington. It also certifies Washington peace and corrections officers and has the authority to pursue corrective action or decertification when misconduct occurs.  

Duties

The selected candidate will primarily be responsible for providing legal advice and representation to the Washington State Patrol on various subjects to include public records, criminal procedure, criminal records, firearms, contracts, rulemaking, search and seizure, and other legal issues that arise within a state law enforcement agency. The selected candidate may also at times provide legal advice and representation to the Criminal Justice Training Commission, to include serving as the legal advisor to a five-member hearing panel that determines whether police and corrections officers should have their certifications revoked for misconduct. The attorney will be assigned specific areas of responsibility and client assignments according to the needs of the client agencies and the office, as well as the skills, experiences, interests, and professional development needs of attorneys. [NOTE: Separate divisions of the Attorney General’s Office handles labor and personnel issues and torts litigation arising within the client agencies].

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, candidates must be highly motivated with a strong desire to independently provide sound options-based advice to our criminal justice clients and litigate cases. Successful candidates possess: 

• At least three years’ experience in litigation and/or client advice;
• Comfort in exercising independent judgment with dynamic legal issues; 
• Ability to persuasively, concisely, and respectfully advance written and oral arguments;
• Ability to provide clear, concise, and sound options-based advice to high-level agency clients  
• Ability to coordinate and manage client advice requests of a diverse and potentially complex nature.
• Strong research, writing, and oral presentation skills;
• Flexibility and time-management skills to manage a robust client advice practice and litigation caseload; and
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with colleagues and clients and contribute to a collegial, inclusive, and positive work environment.

Criminal litigation experience or a background in law enforcement is desirable, but not required. Candidates who have less than three years’ experience with litigation and client advice, but who have a substantial background in law enforcement will also be considered.

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NOTE!  The applicants selected will be required to submit to and pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Washington State Patrol, Criminal Records Division.  The incumbent will submit to additional background checks as a condition of employment every five (5) years thereafter.

Supplemental Information

These Assistant Attorney General positions are 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. Positions located in King County are eligible for 5% King County Assignment Pay.  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:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• Writing sample (no more than 10 pages).

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Division Chief John Hillman at (206) 389-2026 or Managing AAG Justin Kato at (206) 389-3075.  

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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 dog guide or service animal by a person with is 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.