UNIT CHIEF COUNSEL

Arizona Department of Administration • Mesa, AZ

1d • $120,000 - $126,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Child and Family Protection Division, is seeking an experienced Unit Chief Counsel to lead the Gila/Pinal Protective Services Section litigation unit. This position provides legal representation and counsel to the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and oversees a team responsible for complex child welfare litigation, case strategy, and courtroom advocacy. This position is located in the Protective Services Mesa location. This position may be eligible for Remote Work two days a week.

Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of applicable case law, statutes, rules, and regulations of state and federal courts.
• Knowledge of legal techniques and the basic concepts of American Jurisprudence and the formats used to prepare pleadings and other legal documents.
• Oral advocacy
• Effective legal writing
• Legal analysis and reasoning
• Provide reliable client advice, and exercise good judgment regarding legal advice and recommendations
• Effective courtroom practice
• Display appropriate courtroom demeanor
• Build client relationships
• Demonstrate negotiation skills and persuasive abilities
• Utilize a problem-solving approach
• Litigate using innovative techniques
• Ability to handle a high volume of work and stressful situations
• Travel is required for this position.
• A valid Arizona Driver’s License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.
• Admission to, and good standing with, the Arizona State Bar is required (include on resume the date(s) of admission in Arizona and any other states).
• Candidate must have an active Arizona State Bar license.
• Attorney applicants are required to submit a writing sample with their resume/application profile.
• All applicants under serious consideration for hire with the Attorney General's Office are required to be fingerprinted by the Office and complete a criminal background check through State and Federal agencies.
• Must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• The writing sample should contain an analysis of some substantive legal issue and provide insight concerning your ability to think and to explain and advocate for a particular position.

Responsibilities

• Oversees a team of litigators within the Protective Services Section, providing leadership, guidance, and support to ensure high-quality legal representation for the Department of Child Safety (DCS).
• Supervises PSS attorneys whose responsibilities include providing legal advice on child welfare law and representing DCS in dependency, termination of parental rights, guardianship, and other juvenile-court-related matters.
• Ensures that attorneys comply with all applicable laws, court rules, and DCS/AGO policies and procedures.
• Serves as a key liaison between the Attorney General’s Office and DCS.
• Attends meetings with agency partners, facilitates communication, and supports collaborative case strategy and operational needs.

Benefits

• Student Loan Assistance
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
• Paid Parental Leave program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed