What are the responsibilities and job description for the Division Chief - Regional Services Division position at State of Washington Attorney General's Office?
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.
Information About the Attorney General’s Office
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 and view THIS VIDEO.
Benefit and Compensation Details
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:
- Competitive salary, within the given salary range ($164,846 - $170,316 ).
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A competitive benefit package that includes:
- Affordable medical plan options, including vision benefits,
- Dental benefits covered 100%
- Retirement plan (employee/employer contribution)
- Deferred Compensation Plan
- 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday
- 8 hours sick leave accrual per month
- 9.33 hours to start, then up to 16.67 hours of annual leave accrual per month (based on years of state service)
- Flex schedules and telecommuting options
- The AGO will pay the general bar dues of someone who begins their assignment on or before January 31st
- Qualifying Employer for Public Loan Forgiveness Program
- 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 provides CLE credits and is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide
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The Washington State Attorney General's Office is seeking an experienced attorney and an outstanding leader with significant understanding of state government to fill the position of Division Chief of the Regional Services Division. The Regional Services Division (RSD) consists of seven AGO offices located in Vancouver, Bellingham, Yakima, Wenatchee, Port Angeles, Everett and Kennewick. Because the RSD has offices statewide and the Division Chief will be expected to travel, the Division Chief's "home office" can be located in any of the RSD offices or potentially in another office of the AGO.
The RSD serves state agencies and institutions in communities surrounding the seven offices. With over 177 employees, the division is one of the largest in the office. By having attorneys and professional staff in the communities where these state agencies operate, the office is able to conserve costs and deliver excellent legal services with expertise and knowledge about the local communities and court systems. The division began in the mid-1970s. Attorneys in these offices represent multiple agencies. Attorneys and professional staff are adept in a wide variety of practice areas. The division's clients include the Departments of Children, Youth and Families, Labor & Industries, Social & Health Services, Employment Security, and Licensing as well as 17 state educational institutions.
Duties
The RSD Division Chief is a member of the Leadership Team of the Attorney General's Office and responsible for contributing to and supporting the overall mission of the Office. This position provides the opportunity to work in a professional and inclusive work environment where teamwork, high quality legal service, and work-life balance are highly valued. The RSD Division Chief oversees the delivery of legal services to division clients and sets the overall strategic direction of the division. A substantial part of the role is coordinating legal work with AGO divisions that share work for the same or similar agencies and institutions.
In addition, the Division Chief is responsible for leading approximately 87 attorneys and 90 professional staff and creating a sense of teamwork and collegiality across the division's multiple locations. The Division Chief oversees all aspects of the division's multifaceted and challenging legal work, coordinates with other Division Chiefs on legal issues and litigation, manages the division budget and personnel, and handles various administrative functions. The Division Chief supervises the experienced Section Chiefs who manage the day-to-day legal work and operations of the seven office locations and supervises and partners with the Operations Manager of the division.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the successful applicant must have:
- Considerable experience practicing law, preferably including significant litigation experience and experience advising public sector clients;
- Significant and demonstrated understanding of state government;
- Substantial experience serving in strong leadership and management roles as an attorney;
- Superior interpersonal and communication skills;
- Experience and strong interest in mentoring and providing growth opportunities for a diverse group of people;
- Experience fostering teamwork and sustaining a work environment that values diversity and respect for all employees and recognizes the importance of providing timely recognition and constructive feedback;
- A demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure;
- Experience providing independent, sound legal advice on a variety of complex issues;
- Experience developing practical solutions, exhibiting proactive and creative problem-solving skills, maintaining perspective and fostering teamwork;
- Experience with one or more of the legal practice areas described in the position description; and
- Ability and willingness to travel regularly within the state, including regular overnight travel.
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.
Supplemental Information
Salary range for this position is $164,846 - $170,316 annually. Division Chief salaries are based on experience, qualifications and are commensurate with comparable positions in the AGO. This position is exempt from representation by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General/Washington Federation of State Employees AFSCME Council28, AFL-CIO. 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); and
- Writing sample (maximum 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 Deputy Attorney General Christina Beusch at (360) 664-3801 or Christina.Beusch@atg.wa.gov. The deadline for receipt of all application material is February 17, 2025.
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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, metal, 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.
Salary : $164,846 - $170,316
