What are the responsibilities and job description for the Attorney Advisor position at DC Department of Human Resources?
Job Summary
Located in the nation’s capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends, and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies and protects the interests of the District’s residents. This position is located in the Public Safety Division of OAG.
The Public Safety Division (PSD) comprises six sections and is responsible for prosecuting criminal matters in the District of Columbia where the Office of the Attorney General has jurisdiction. The Juvenile Section prosecutes matters where youth, under the age of eighteen, are arrested for a criminal law violation; the Criminal Section prosecutes certain adult misdemeanor offenses, the Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust; the Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section and the Mental Health Sections protect victims of domestic violence, incapacitated adults who are being abused, and mentally ill adults who need emergency psychiatric care; and the Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between offenders who commit crime and the victim, where the victim is interested.
Duties And Responsibilities
The incumbent will serve as an Attorney Advisor in the Public Safety Division and will be responsible for providing proficient legal advice related to the work of the Public Safety Division to OAG and PSD leadership. Responsibilities will include evaluating legislation and recent relevant case law and providing legal advice, including training, on the implications of new law to the practice within the Division. Further, with the collaboration of Agency and Division leadership, the incumbent will assist in drafting legislation on behalf of the Division. The incumbent will serve as an advisor to section chiefs and line attorneys. When necessary, the incumbent will appear in court on behalf of the District.
Specific responsibilities of the Attorney Advisor include, but are not limited to:
The successful candidate must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
The Incumbent must have a law degree and be a member of the District of Columbia Bar or eligible for waiver into the bar. The incumbent must have at least four (4) years of relevant related specialized experience, one (1) year of which must have been equivalent to LA-14.
ELIGIBILITY: The successful candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Generally, work is sedentary, some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as case records, briefcases, and exhibits) is required.
Other Significant Facts
Pay Plan, Series, and Grade: LS-905-15
Type of Appointment: Legal Service – Regular Appointment
Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday; 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Salary: The starting salary for this position is negotiable based on qualifications and availability of funds.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Local 2401. If you opt to join the union, and consent, a service fee will be paid through direct payroll deduction.
REMOTE WORK STATUS: A hybrid remote telework/in-office schedule option is available.
GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING: The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.
PRIORITY CONSIDERATION: Displaced Employee Priority Placement: Candidates who are eligible for the District of Columbia’s Displaced Employee Program (DEP) and Agency Reemployment Priority Placement Program (ARPP) will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: The selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation), and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government’s retirement plan. However, if the selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia’s government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment.
RESIDENCY PREFERENCE: A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Education Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than in the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District residents’ applications, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE: Applicants claiming veterans’ preference must submit official proof at the time of application.
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after the conviction of or a plea of guilty to a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, physical disability, matriculation, genetic information, credit information, or status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking.
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Located in the nation’s capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends, and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies and protects the interests of the District’s residents. This position is located in the Public Safety Division of OAG.
The Public Safety Division (PSD) comprises six sections and is responsible for prosecuting criminal matters in the District of Columbia where the Office of the Attorney General has jurisdiction. The Juvenile Section prosecutes matters where youth, under the age of eighteen, are arrested for a criminal law violation; the Criminal Section prosecutes certain adult misdemeanor offenses, the Public Corruption Section prosecutes offenses related to fraud that undermine the public trust; the Domestic Violence and Special Victims Section and the Mental Health Sections protect victims of domestic violence, incapacitated adults who are being abused, and mentally ill adults who need emergency psychiatric care; and the Restorative Justice Section facilitates conferences between offenders who commit crime and the victim, where the victim is interested.
Duties And Responsibilities
The incumbent will serve as an Attorney Advisor in the Public Safety Division and will be responsible for providing proficient legal advice related to the work of the Public Safety Division to OAG and PSD leadership. Responsibilities will include evaluating legislation and recent relevant case law and providing legal advice, including training, on the implications of new law to the practice within the Division. Further, with the collaboration of Agency and Division leadership, the incumbent will assist in drafting legislation on behalf of the Division. The incumbent will serve as an advisor to section chiefs and line attorneys. When necessary, the incumbent will appear in court on behalf of the District.
Specific responsibilities of the Attorney Advisor include, but are not limited to:
- Reviewing the preparation of:
- Performing extensive legal research.
- Preparing detailed memoranda of findings to support conclusions of cases.
- Incumbent will be an experienced first chair criminal attorney and, in that capacity, will be responsible for providing support and guidance in the preparation of felony and misdemeanor cases for trial.
- Incumbent will provide mentoring and support to section chiefs, and assistant attorneys general and professional staff.
- Incumbent must have the ability to analyze serious felony cases, including homicide cases to prosecute them effectively.
- Incumbent is responsible for keeping abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the function of programs and the recommendations of appropriate courses of action to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
- Incumbent may have to confer with and incorporate concerns of District Government officials, members of administrative bodies, and officials outside the District Government with actions taken during enforcement of cases.
- Incumbent will be tasked with conducting trainings for the Public Safety Division, and the Office of the Attorney General. Incumbent will also be tasked with speaking on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General at community events related to Public Safety.
- Performs other related duties, as assigned.
- charging petitions, which includes evaluating the evidence presented and making a charging decision.
- motions, responses, and legal briefs/memoranda as appropriate.
- complex litigation, including preparation of witnesses and exhibits; collection and organization of physical and digital evidence; preparation and conduct of preliminary proceedings; identification, procurement, and preparation of expert services; examination of witnesses; and oral arguments.
- plea offers and resolution of cases.
The successful candidate must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Skill in interpreting and applying legal knowledge in various situations.
- Highly developed skill in the analysis and resolution of difficult legal issues in an orderly, systematic, and effective manner.
- Skill in interpreting and applying applicable laws, regulations, and practices, including agency policies and relevant judicial decisions.
- Skill in applying sound judgment in review and analysis of matters assigned and deriving logical conclusion.
- Skill in communicating precisely and effectively with all parties in family court, both orally and in writing.
- Skill to assume administrative and managerial functions, if tasked with.
- Knowledge of legal reference materials and research techniques, including the use of Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other automated legal and legislative retrieval systems.
- Knowledge of advanced criminal law and procedures to a degree which allows the candidate to prosecute cases up to and including first degree murder.
- Knowledge of restorative justice and restorative justice practices is highly desirable.
The Incumbent must have a law degree and be a member of the District of Columbia Bar or eligible for waiver into the bar. The incumbent must have at least four (4) years of relevant related specialized experience, one (1) year of which must have been equivalent to LA-14.
ELIGIBILITY: The successful candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
- Application must be completed in its entirety, along with a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample. If experiencing issues uploading attachments, please send the required documents to oagrecruitment@dc.gov. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position. Additionally, please be sure to provide up-to-date references***
Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Generally, work is sedentary, some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as case records, briefcases, and exhibits) is required.
Other Significant Facts
Pay Plan, Series, and Grade: LS-905-15
Type of Appointment: Legal Service – Regular Appointment
Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday; 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Salary: The starting salary for this position is negotiable based on qualifications and availability of funds.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Local 2401. If you opt to join the union, and consent, a service fee will be paid through direct payroll deduction.
REMOTE WORK STATUS: A hybrid remote telework/in-office schedule option is available.
GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING: The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.
PRIORITY CONSIDERATION: Displaced Employee Priority Placement: Candidates who are eligible for the District of Columbia’s Displaced Employee Program (DEP) and Agency Reemployment Priority Placement Program (ARPP) will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: The selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation), and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government’s retirement plan. However, if the selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia’s government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment.
RESIDENCY PREFERENCE: A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Education Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than in the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District residents’ applications, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE: Applicants claiming veterans’ preference must submit official proof at the time of application.
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after the conviction of or a plea of guilty to a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, physical disability, matriculation, genetic information, credit information, or status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking.
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
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