Managing Assistant Attorney General 1 - Medicaid Fraud & Abuse Division, Multiple Locations

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 - MAAG1 salaries are set between $86,328 and $161,700. 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 Medicaid Fraud & Abuse Division (MFA) is both a civil and criminal law enforcement division.

MFA is unique in that it involves protecting not only the Medicaid program of roughly $23.5 billion per annum, but also individuals on Medicaid, and all residents of long-term care facilities.

MFA cases are consistently complex and on the cutting edge of legal theories and issues.

The cases range from large scale organized corporate fraudulent activity to single provider fraud or abuse cases.

MFA has a unique team-focused investigative process, involving the joint efforts of an attorney, investigator, and data analyst.

This, and the great people who make up the unit, gives MFA a uniquely terrific team atmosphere.

If you enjoy working in a team setting, complex puzzle solving in consequential and meaningful cases, and being on the cutting edge of law, this is the place and opportunity for you.

MFA is comprised of three offices. The main office is in Olympia, and there are branch offices, supervised from Olympia, in Seattle and Spokane.

The position will be located in Olympia, downtown Seattle or Spokane, depending on the needs and interest of the person hired to fill this role.

The AGO provides some flexibility with respect to schedules and telecommuting, consistent with the needs of the Office.

Requirements

This position affirmatively litigates against companies, organizations, and individuals who defraud the State Medicaid fund in violation of the Washington State False Claims Act, Chapter 74.66 RCW. MFA AAGs work their cases from initial allegation through litigation.

MFA investigates and prosecutes (civilly and criminally) companies, organizations, and individuals who defraud the State Medicaid fund.

In addition, the team also focuses on person crimes related to the abuse and neglect vulnerable adults who reside in residential facilities, and Medicaid recipients in connection with the provision of Medicaid services.

Both teams focus on the systemic issues regarding long-term care facilities.

All MFA investigations, civil or criminal, are typically months if not years-long highly complex white-collar fraud/ abuse investigations.

All AAGs in MFA must manage a robust caseload, including directing investigations from their outset as part of team comprised of analysts, special agents, nurses and paralegals assessing evidence, and resolving cases through litigation or negotiation.

Attorneys must work with a sense of urgency and take the initiative to keep their cases moving toward resolution.

This position has the opportunity to collaborate on national cases with the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFAU).

It comes with ongoing specialized training at the local and national level and offers an unparalleled investigative network.

MFA routinely collaborates on investigations with United States Attorney’s Offices and other Medicaid Fraud Control Divisions throughout the country.

Our investigations often include federal counterparts such as the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigations, U.S.

Customs, as well as local law enforcement, and state administrative agencies.

MFA’s civil attorneys litigate matters in state courts throughout Washington State and in federal courts throughout the United States.

As a member of the Division and AGO’s management, this Managing AAG position’s duties will also include:

Qualifications

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

Highly preferred qualifications include:

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 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 Managing Assistant Attorney Genera1 l position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO.

MAAG1 salaries are set between $86,328 and $161,700. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B 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 and preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)showing date law degree conferred; and
• A Writing sample (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact MFA Director Larissa Payne at 360-586-8880, or MFA Deputy-Civil Matthew Kuehn at 360-956-7926.

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NOTE! A background check consisting of employment history, professional references and educational verification (e.g., degree, license, or official transcript) may be conducted.

Prior to any offer, the applicant 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.

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The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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.

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.