Section Chief Counsel

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Child and Family Protection Division/Appeals Section is seeking Section Chief for the overall management of the appeals units who provide legal advice and representation to the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and the Department of Economic Security (DES).

Remote Options: This position may be eligible for Remote Work two days a week.

The incumbent of the position will be responsible for ensuring that CFPD Appeals policies and procedures comply with laws, rules, and AGO policies and procedures and correlate with DCS and DES policies and procedures; providing consistent client advice and representation statewide; collaboration and consultation with the Section Chiefs of the Civil and Criminal Litigation and Advice (CLA), Child Support Services (CSS) and Protective Services (PSS) Sections as well as the Solicitor General's Office regarding appeals and responses filed on behalf of DCS and DES. The CFPD Appeals Section Chief will also be responsible for overseeing training for appellate attorneys in the section.

Knowledge
•Knowledge and understanding of applicable case law, statutes, rules and regulations of state and federal courts
•Knowledge of legal techniques and the basic concepts of American Jurisprudence and of the formats utilized in the preparation of legal documents
•Knowledge of client policies and procedures

Skill
•Effective communication with attorneys and client about office policies and procedures
•Provide solid client advice; use good judgment regarding legal advice/recommendation
•Oral advocacy
•Effective case presentation appellate work
•Effective legal written work product, writing ability
•Sound legal analysis and reasoning
•Effective management of attorneys

Ability
•Display appropriate courtroom demeanor
•Build client relationships
•Demonstrate negotiation skills and persuasive abilities
•Utilize a problem-solving approach
•Litigate using innovative techniques
•Must be able to handle a high volume of work and stressful situations
•Manage attorney performance and ensure expectations are being met

•Travel is required for this position. A valid Arizona Driver’s License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.
•Admission to, and good standing with, the Arizona State Bar is required (include on resume the date(s) of admission in Arizona and any other states). Candidate must have an active Arizona State Bar license.
•Attorney applicants are required to submit a writing sample with their resume/application profile.
•The writing sample should contain an analysis of some substantive legal issue and provide insight concerning your ability to think and to explain and advocate for a particular position.
•All applicants under serious consideration for hire with the Attorney General's Office are required to be fingerprinted by the Office and complete a criminal background check through State and Federal agencies. A job offer cannot be tendered until the candidate has successfully passed the initial background check. Your record does not automatically constitute a bar to employment. Factors such as, but not limited to, age at time of offense and age of offense, as well as the relationship between the offense and the job for which you apply will be taken into account.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Attorney General's Office offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

•Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
•Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at (602) 542-8056 or email us at humanresources@azag.gov.

During all phases of the selection process, people with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the AG’s Human Resources Office at (602) 542-8056 or via e-mail at HumanResources@azag.gov. The Arizona Office of the Attorney General does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age in its programs, activities or in its hiring and employment practices. The following division has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Operations Division, 2005 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004, Phone: (602) 542-8056, Fax: (602) 542-8000.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.