Assistant Attorney General - Worker Rights Unit

Full Job Description

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.

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

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The Washington Attorney General’s Office seeks a proficient and passionate litigator to serve as a founding member of our newly established Worker Rights Unit (WRK).

The mission of the unit isn’t just enforcement, it is to lead foundational changes to ensure every worker in Washington has their rights respected.

This includes but is not limited to their right to be paid fairly, to access benefits such as paid leave to take care of themselves and their families when sick, and to fully participate as informed members of the labor market.

WRK strives to create a tight-knit, innovative, and supportive culture where the work is important and the people doing the work are fulfilled by the atmosphere we create together.

This position may be located in downtown Seattle, Tacoma, or Olympia depending on the needs and interests of the person hired to fill this role.

Travel around the state may be necessary and may include litigation duties throughout the state.

Requirements

This position will undertake affirmative investigation and strategic litigation to protect the rights of workers, including the rights to be paid fairly, to care for themselves and family when sick, to be safe at work, and to engage in collective action.

As the second attorney in the Unit, this position will work closely with the Unit Chief to build a small, but dynamic unit to advance worker protections in Washington.

The Unit will focus on high-profile investigations and litigations in industries such as agriculture, the gig economy, construction and domestic service.

The Worker Rights Unit will work closely with the Civil Rights Division, the Consumer Protection Division, the Antitrust Division, and the Labor and Industries Divisions of the AG’s Office, to enforce Washington laws in state and federal courts.

Specifically, the Unit will enforce Washington’s nation-leading worker protections, including the minimum wage act, the equal pay and opportunity act, paid family and sick leave, the immigrant worker protection act (if enacted), and others.

The team will have particular emphasis on cases involving serious or persistent violations of laws as well as violations impacting low- and moderate-income workers who would otherwise struggle to obtain legal recourse.

Some of the types of cases the Unit will bring include challenges to paying immigrants $1 per day for work performed in private detention, abusing temporary farmworker programs, subjecting workers to noncompete agreements, and retaliating against workers for organizing and asserting their rights.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the ideal candidate will have:

For these positions, the ability to read, write, and/or speak a language in addition to English is preferred.

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 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.

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.

The AAG salary for this position will be set between $82,212 and $153,996. The exact amount is negotiable and will be set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA.

The salary of an employee whose official duty station is Seattle would reflect 5% King County Assignment Pay per legislative action.

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.

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)showing date law degree conferred; 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 encourage and welcome you to contact Unit Chief Marsha Chien at marsha.chien@atg.wa.gov.

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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 a disability 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 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.