Demo

Section Chief - Regional Services Division, Vancouver

State of Washington
Walla Walla, WA Part Time
POSTED ON 3/31/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/26/2025
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.

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

Skills & Abilities

In addition to meet the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, a candidate must demonstrate:

  • 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.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read About Our Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

01

Your Preferred Name

02

Your Pronoun(s)

03

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

  • Yes
  • No

04

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status?

  • Yes
  • No

05

Are you willing to relocate to within 30 miles of this position?

  • Yes
  • No

06

Briefly describe your experience handling matters at the trial court level. Please address the approximate number of matters you were assigned at any given time, and the approximate number of times that you have appeared in court in contested matters on behalf of an individual, government agency, or business entity.

07

Briefly describe your experience handling contested matters in which you were responsible for presenting evidence and in which the Rules of Evidence applied to the proceeding.

08

Have you ever worked or volunteered for the Washington State Attorney General's Office? If yes, indicate dates and positions in which you served. If "NO", you will need to indicate "NO" or "N/A" in order to proceed with your application.

09

List all activities or community involvement, past or present, that demonstrate a commitment to public service.

10

Are you a current member of the Washington State Bar Association?

  • Yes
  • No

11

What is your Washington State Bar Association number?

12

It is important to note that to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one must be a licensed attorney with the WSBA. If seeking admission to the WSBA via reciprocity, score transfer, motion or other means, please explain IN DETAIL when you applied for admission, current status of the application and expected date of admission?

13

Have you ever been subject to discipline or censure by a Bar Association or other licensing organization? If "YES" provide a full explanation for each disciplinary action. If the answer is "NO" you must indicate this by typing "NO" in order to proceed with your application.

14

Is there any Bar disciplinary proceeding pending against you? If "YES", provide a full explanation. If the answer is "NO", you must indicate this by typing "NO" in order to proceed with your application.

15

Have you ever been held in contempt or sanctioned by any state or federal court or administrative agency? If "Yes", provide a full explanation for each action. If the answer is "No" you must indicate this by typing "No" in order to proceed with your application.

16

Have you ever been fired or asked to resign from any position? If "YES", you must provide a full explanation for each termination. If the answer is "NO", you must indicate this by typing "NO" in order to proceed with your application.

17

Have you participated, whether as an attorney, paralegal, legal assistant, or in any other capacity, in the representation of any party in a matter where the party's interest was materially adverse to that of the State, its agencies, or its officers or employees? If "YES", please identify all such matters, including the parties to the matter, the court and cause number of the matter, and your role in the matter. If "NO", you must indicate this by typing "NO" in order to proceed with your application. If you require additional space, please attach additional sheets and indicate your attachment here.

18

Have you participated as a judge, arbitrator, mediator, adjudicative officer, or as a law clerk to such a person, in a matter in which the State or any of its agencies, officers, or employees were a party? If YES, please identify all such matters, including the parties to the matter, the court and cause number of the matter, and your role in the matter. If "NO", you must indicate this by typing "NO" in order to proceed with your application. If you require additional space, please attach additional sheets and indicate your attachment here.

19

Is there any other matter, person, entity, or personal interest that might present a conflict of interest or otherwise limit your ability to perform work for the Attorney General's Office or represent a state agency, officer, or employee? If YES, please identify such matters, persons, entities, or personal interests with sufficient detail to allow the Attorney General's Office to understand the nature of the potential conflict of interest. You are not required to disclose any pending or contemplated complaint or dispute for which the law allows you to remain anonymous; however, you are responsible for not accepting assignments that would violate conflict of interest or confidentiality provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct or other laws with regard to such matters. If "NO", you must indicate this by typing "NO" in order to proceed with your application. If you require additional space, please attach additional sheets and indicate your attachment here.

20

Please be advised that the AGO thoroughly checks references, including one's current employer. HOWEVER, it is very important to note that references are ONLY checked after at least one interview. Any concerns about checking references can be discussed during any interview. For the sake of efficiency, we ask that you proactively provide a release by responding affirmatively to the following statement. I authorize the Washington State Attorney General's Office (AGO) to contact any or all of my former or present employers, or organizations for which services have been provided, for the purposes of verification and reference. This may include information of a confidential nature, to include but is not limited to reviewing my personnel file, contacting any references, and/or contacting anyone else who might be familiar with my past job performance. I knowingly and voluntarily release the state of Washington, the AGO, its individual employees, and all my former or present employers, and their individual employees, from any and all known and unknown claims for damages or other relief arising out of the AGO's request for and receipt of employment information, unless my current or former employer is prohibited by state or federal law from disclosing the information that the AGO requests. PLEASE TYPE YOUR FULL NAME IN RESPONSE TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTION TO PROVIDE SUCH AUTHORIZATION.

21

Where did you learn about this employment opportunity? Careers.wa.gov AGO Website (atg.wa.gov) AGO Attorney Email Subscription Service LinkedIn/Indeed (Or other employment websites) WSBA Diversity Listserv Law School Career Services Office Career Fair AGO Presentation at law school Court Current/Former AGO employee or law clerk Other For your answer above, please specify, if applicable (e.g. name of law school, specific career fair, or website where you learned of opportunity).

  • Required Question

Salary : $80,592 - $156,996

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Section Chief - Regional Services Division, Vancouver?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Section Chief - Regional Services Division, Vancouver career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$92,588 - $117,623
Income Estimation: 
$112,098 - $154,393
Income Estimation: 
$188,155 - $259,120
Income Estimation: 
$227,038 - $316,008
Income Estimation: 
$92,181 - $128,919
Income Estimation: 
$123,673 - $176,421
Income Estimation: 
$123,673 - $176,421
Income Estimation: 
$162,804 - $221,695
Income Estimation: 
$162,804 - $221,695
Income Estimation: 
$183,562 - $247,678
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at State of Washington

State of Washington
Hired Organization Address Washington, DC Full Time
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format ...
State of Washington
Hired Organization Address Washington, DC Full Time
GENERAL SERVICE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IT Infrastructure Supervisor – IT Network and Telecommunications Senior / Specialist An...
State of Washington
Hired Organization Address Olympia, WA Full Time
GENERAL SERVICE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Fiscal Analyst 2 - Chief Financial Office 45,732-$61,404 annually Recruitment closes Fe...
State of Washington
Hired Organization Address Olympia, WA Full Time
The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state govern...

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Section Chief - Regional Services Division, Vancouver jobs in the Walla Walla, WA area that may be a better fit.

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!