Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Vancouver

State of Washington•Vancouver, WA

36d•$82,212 - $153,996

About The Position

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: The WA State Attorney General's Office is looking for an attorney to serve in its Regional Services Division in Vancouver. This attorney will work in a high-volume, fast-paced litigation practice entailing frequent state court docket and trial appearances. The Vancouver section has 19 attorneys and 17 professional staff and represents a wide variety of clients in courts in Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat and Skamania Counties in Southwest Washington. The position is located in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Vancouver has a population of approximately 190,000 people and is Washington's fourth largest city. Vancouver is also part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area, the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Combining amenities of a smaller city with access to more urban opportunities, Vancouver has much to offer. There are two public school districts in Vancouver, and many more in nearby areas. Vancouver also offers excellent access to outdoor activities, including the nearby Cascade Mountain range, downhill skiing on Mt. Hood, beach access in both Washington and Oregon, and great regional bicycling, walking, and running paths. All attorneys in this division may be assigned to a wide variety of clients according to the needs of the client agencies and the office, as well as the skills, experience, and professional development needs of attorneys. Client agencies served by the Vancouver AGO include the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the Department of Labor and Industries (LNI), Employment Security Department (ESD), Clark College, Lower Columbia College, Washington State Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth and Washington School for the Deaf, Washington State School for the Blind, and Educational Service District 112. Representation of DCYF includes advice and legal representation of the agency in child welfare cases, foster care and childcare licensing cases, and cases involving founded findings of child abuse. Representation of DSHS includes vulnerable adult protection cases, community-based long-term care facility licensing cases, and miscellaneous superior court matters. The willingness to be assigned to any of the client agencies is expected of all attorneys in this division. It is anticipated that the attorney in this position may carry a mixed caseload. The primary assignment will be to represent DCYF in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases before the trial and appellate courts. This position involves a fast-paced litigation workload, with weekly court appearances on the juvenile calendar, and frequent trials. The subject matter can be difficult, but the work is remarkably rewarding. These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state, in a very meaningful way. The position will may also include representation of DCYF in childcare, foster care, and group care licensing cases. These cases involve advising the client regarding regulatory enforcement matters, representing the agency in contested matters before the Office of Administrative Hearings, and related Superior Court judicial review proceedings under the Washington Administrative Procedures Act. The position will involve regular regional travel within Washington State. The attorney hired for this position will join a division composed of talented and dedicated colleagues, all of whom are determined to provide the best legal services for the clients and people they serve. At the same time, the Regional Services Division, like the whole of the Attorney General's Office, is committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere which is supportive, inclusive and collegial for its employees, with the shared goal of achieving a high level of personal and professional satisfaction.

Requirements

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 ability to quickly adapt to a practice that involves assignment of 60 or more cases at a time, and the ability to shift from one type of work to another during a given week or day
The ability to communicate with a variety of client agency representatives efficiently and effectively, as well as with attorney and non-attorney colleagues within the office, is critical to success in the position
Demonstrated ability to independently manage time, to identify and prioritize tasks necessary to complete, and to maintain a well-organized practice under significant caseload demands are essential

Nice To Haves

A passion for child welfare and experience or a strong desire to litigate are desirable

Responsibilities

Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention
Review relevant petitions and other documents
Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act to the juvenile cases
Consult with social workers and other agency employees
Submit and respond to discovery
Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial
Review reports submitted to the court
Perform research and analysis
Submit relevant briefing to the court
Communicate frequently with other attorneys and guardians ad litem to resolve issues related to underlying cases
Consider settlement options
Take all other actions related to these matters

Benefits

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 $82,212 and $153,996. 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

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