What are the responsibilities and job description for the Section Chief - Regional Services Division, Vancouver position at State of Washington Attorney General's Office?
Description
The Washington State Attorney General's Office is excited to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and collaborative Vancouver office where you will serve in a critical Section Chief role!
About the Regional Services Division (RSD)
The Regional Services Division (RSD) comprises seven sections located in communities across Western and Central Washington outside the Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia corridor. RSD staff live in the communities they serve and, therefore, are uniquely positioned to provide “hometown” legal services while representing the AGO’s vision of being the best public law office in the U.S.
About the RSD/Vancouver Section
The Vancouver office includes 19 attorneys and 17 legal support professional staff and provides representation to its clients through litigation and client advice. Litigation includes hearings and trials in juvenile court, superior court, and administrative hearings under the Administrative Procedures Act. RSD Vancouver attorneys are also responsible for handling cases appealed to the Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. The office’s clients include:
- Department of Children, Youth and Families in juvenile court in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, Wahkiakum and Klickitat counties
- Department of Social and Health Services
- Department of Labor and Industries
- Department of Employment Security
- Department of Licensing
- Lower Columbia College, Clark College, Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB), Washington State Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY), and Educational Service District 112
About Vancouver
The position is located in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Vancouver has a population of about 199,600 people and is Washington's fourth largest city. Vancouver is also part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. Combining amenities of a smaller city with access to more urban opportunities, Vancouver has much to offer. There are two public school districts in Vancouver, and many more in nearby areas. Vancouver also offers excellent access to outdoor activities, including the nearby Cascade Mountain range, downhill skiing on Mt. Hood, boating and paddling on the Columbia River, coastal beach access in both Washington and Oregon, and great regional bicycling, walking, and running paths. In addition to galleries, restaurants, a farmers’ market, and theaters in the downtown core; Vancouver also has a thriving waterfront featuring wineries, restaurants and hotels.
Duties
RSD/Vancouver Section Chief Position & Essential Functions
The RSD/Vancouver Section Chief is in a unique role compared to other Section Chief contemporaries at the AGO. This role functions as a true site manager who oversees all legal work performed in Vancouver, including coaching, mentoring, and supporting staff, and various building management administrative tasks.
As the Section Chief you will wear multiple hats. You will be a decision maker for your office/site and carry a case load, primarily in juvenile litigation. You will serve as the office’s representative in the local community and, in that capacity, interact regularly with a wide array of court stakeholders.
A typical day could include mentoring an attorney through a problematic workers’ comp case, appearing in juvenile court and litigating on behalf of the DCYF, contacting a colleague in the AGO Education Division for subject matter expertise to help an attorney provide advice to Clark College, and returning to the office to organize and replace a broken printer, meeting with the building manager, and communicating to staff about an upcoming change to parking. Each day will be different and dynamic - a truly rare opportunity for emerging leaders.
Essential management functions include:
- Hiring employees
- Evaluating employee performance & providing feedback
- Assigning cases
- Tracking caseloads
- Ensuring critical event deadlines are met
- Implementing performance management plans and policies
- Regularly coordinating with the RSD Division Chief
- Maintaining an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity
Qualifications
- Legal competency
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Delegation skills
- Strength & courage to make difficult decisions
- Flexibility
- Open & frequent communication
- Impeccable judgment
- Appreciation of and respect for people’s diverse experiences, skills, and areas for professional growth
- Juvenile litigation experience*
Juvenile litigation cases involve factual and legal issues regarding the physical and mental health and safety of children in situations where DCYF initiates dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights actions under RCW Title 13. Because juvenile litigation cases are the most significant volume of work done in Vancouver, familiarity with this work and experience in the area is desired.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a creative problem solver, out-side-the-box thinker with management and juvenile litigation experience. Legal “Jacks of all trades” who love to multi-task but can see the big picture would thrive here. If you have the confidence to lead, implement change, and manage your own legal shop, the RSD/Vancouver Section Chief might be the right position for you!
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
This Section Chief position is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. AAG salaries are set between $80,592 and $156,996. 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); and
- Writing sample.
If you have questions about this position and/or want to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Jennifer Mankowski Dixon at Jennifer.MankowskiDixon@atg.wa.gov.
Salary : $80,592 - $156,996
