Assistant Attorney General (Temporary) - Transportation & Public Construction, Tumwater

Full Job Description

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 $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

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office’s Transportation and Public Construction Division (TPC) in Tumwater, WA is seeking an attorney to provide advice and litigate on behalf of WSDOT, a state agency with over 6,500 employees and a biennial budget of $15.2 billion.

Requirements

TPC is a mid-sized and collegial division of outstanding legal professionals located in Tumwater.

TPC provides litigation representation and advice to WSDOT in support of its construction, operation, and maintenance of state highways, the state ferry systems, and state-owned rail lines.

TPC also represents the Department of Enterprise Services (DES), Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), and the state Military Department.

The litigation and client advice work for WSDOT involves a wide array of legal issues, including eminent domain, open government and the Public Records Act (PRA), real estate and land use, environmental law, public construction, and civil rights.

TPC litigates matters in state and federal courts and administrative forums and offers intellectually demanding legal practice while fostering a collegial atmosphere, provides internal training and mentoring, and maintains a respect for a healthy work and life balance.

Typical duties performed by attorneys in TPC include:

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

This is a full-time, temporary position and is scheduled to end December 31, 2026. The position may involve occasional travel.

The TPC Division supports telework and flexibility related to work schedules and provides all necessary equipment and technical support.

It is anticipated that the person hired will immediately and for the near future perform a significant portion of their work remotely by telecommuting, with at least two days per week in-office in Tumwater.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the preferred candidate for this complex and rewarding work will have:

The following criteria is not required but is a plus:

Additional 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 $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Article 10.8 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) with JD conferred date; 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 Matt Huot at Matt.Huot@atg.wa.gov or 360-586-0641.

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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 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.