AAG - Children, Youth, and Families Division PAL HQ Section, Tumwater

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.  

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 - AAG salaries are set between $76,752 and $149,508.  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 

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The Children, Youth, and Families Division (CYF) of the WA State Attorney General's Office has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) in the 13-attorney Program Advice and Litigation (PAL) Headquarters Section. 

The AAG will work in a dynamic legal field involving child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, and licensing systems that provide critical support to children and families.  It is anticipated that, the majority of the AAG’s weekly work will consist of advice to and representation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ (DCYF’s) Headquarters child welfare programs, which may include litigation matters.

The Section’s Work:

The PAL section has several major areas of responsibility, which include: Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) headquarters advice and representation; statewide juvenile litigation and appellate coordination; coordination of training for juvenile litigation AAGs; and policy support to the AGO when needed on child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, and early learning issues. Legal advice to DCYF covers a wide range of topics, including: requirements of the state and federal Indian Child Welfare Acts, civil rights and racial equity, foster care and child care licensing, early learning, juvenile rehabilitation, and others. Litigation can include lawsuits arising from contracts or disclosure claims and class action litigation related to DCYF programs. The section also handles appeals of termination of parental rights and dependency orders, and consults on and edits appellate briefs for division colleagues and other divisions that represent DCYF. 

A typical workweek can vary, but it may include: providing written and verbal client advice, preparing for and attending a colleague’s moot court, negotiating with opposing counsel, writing an appellate brief, drafting pleadings, conducting oral argument, litigating in court, and advising DCYF on the potential legal impacts of proposed legislation.  

The AAG will join a division and section with staff who are talented, compassionate, highly collegial, and dedicated to serving in an essential role in the protection of the State’s most vulnerable people. Members of the division and section are uniformly committed to creating a workplace that is cooperative, inclusive, and supportive of personal and professional growth. This full time position is located in Tumwater, and may involve occasional travel within the state.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, qualifications include:

• Strong legal skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with diverse personalities; 
• Strong desire to litigate;
• Highly value teamwork, collaboration, and the support of a positive working environment that recognizes and respects all employees;
• A willingness and talent for contributing to a collegial and inclusive working environment; and
• The ability to work with sophisticated clients who have responsibility for critical programs of statewide significance.

Experience in child welfare practice is preferred, but not required.

This Assistant Attorney General 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 $76,752 and $149,508. 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, you are welcome and encourage to contact Section Chief Carissa Greenberg at (360) 586-6506 or Carissa.Greenberg@atg.wa.gov, or Division Chief Carrie Wayno at (360) 586-6498 or Carrie.Wayno@atg.wa.gov. 

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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.  

Salary : $76,752 - $149,508