Team Leader - Social & Health Services Division, Seattle

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 WA State Attorney General's Office's Social and Health Services (SHS) Division has an opening for an attorney Team Leader located in downtown Seattle, WA.

Requirements

The team leader position carries a partial juvenile litigation caseload and supervises as many as five attorneys who also do juvenile litigation, appeals and other work.

Duties include attorney-of-the-day coverage on juvenile court calendars, reviewing referrals for legal sufficiency, reviewing discovery, interviewing witnesses and otherwise preparing for trial, writing and responding to motions and providing case-specific advice to client agency social workers.

There may be opportunities for additional activities, such as licensing and other administrative cases, appellate work, training and participation in practice improvement projects.

This position may include responsibilities for ensure permanency petitions are filed in compliance with statutory time lines, court orders, and AGO business laws.

Supervisory responsibilities include training, coaching and mentoring attorneys of varying experience levels, evaluating attorney performance, supporting professional development and shared oversight responsibility for weekly case assignments, workload distribution and coverage of 11-12 calendars per week.

In addition, this position actively participates in division leadership, attending regular meetings, assisting with the development and implementation of operational processes, and monitoring progress in achieving divisional goals.

This position also meets regularly with our client agencies to provide training, consult on case-related issues and address operational issues.

The position is located in downtown Seattle and court appearances are in downtown Seattle, the Central District of Seattle and Kent.

Appearances may be in-person or via Zoom, depending on the type of hearing.

This is a fast-paced, high-volume practice characterized by unpredictable schedules, highly emotional situations and emergent issues.

The high-stakes, emergent nature of this work means that advice and representation often occur under significant pressure. This work is of critical importance and can be immensely satisfying.

The staff of the division, all of whom are talented, dedicated, compassionate and highly collegial, serve an essential role in the protection of the state's most vulnerable people.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as a Managing Assistant Attorney General, the successful candidate should have the following:

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 Managing Assistant Attorney General 1 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. This position is located in King County and is thus eligible for 5% King County Assignment Pay.

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 the date law degree was conferred; and
• Writing sample (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about this position and/or want to learn more about it before applying, please contact Division Chief Zachary Brown at zachary.brown@atg.wa.gov or (206)-587-5097.

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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.