Team Leader - Gov. Compliance & Enforcement Division, Health Section, Olympia

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 - MAAG salaries are set between $80,592 and $156,996. 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 

The WA State Attorney General’s Office’s Government Compliance and Enforcement Division (GCE) seeks an attorney to serve as a Team Leader in the Health Section.

The successful candidate will report to the Section Chief for GCE’s Health Section and serve as a member of the division’s management team. GCE includes 57 attorneys and professional staff located on the Capitol Campus with direct access to downtown Olympia and the beautiful State Capitol grounds. GCE provides legal services to nearly 40 state agencies, boards, and commissions, including those that protect citizens by regulating a variety of professions and industries. We offer a professional and inclusive work environment where teamwork, high quality legal service, and work-life balance are highly valued. 

The successful candidate will lead a team that represents Washington state’s health care boards and commissions in licensing actions. Health attorneys litigate in administrative forums, as well as handling some cases in Superior Court and the state’s appellate courts under the judicial review provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Duties include preparing witnesses for hearings, crafting motions and legal pleadings, conducting necessary legal research, responding to discovery, providing options-based advice relating to litigation, and conducting depositions and hearings. This position is anticipated to handle hearings (sometimes involving expert testimony) before the boards and commissions that regulate doctors, nurses, dentists, and other health care providers. Typical cases include practice below the standard of care, drug diversion, overprescribing of opioids, impaired providers, and sexual misconduct. Being able to foster a team environment is crucial in this position. The Section’s AAGs work closely with client staff attorneys, paralegals and other representatives, and collaborate daily with GCE professional staff and with each other.

This position maintains an active legal practice. To be successful in this assignment, one must demonstrate legal competency, solid organizational skills, flexibility, open communication, good judgment, and a respect for people’s diverse experiences, skills, and areas for professional growth. 

The management functions of this position include:

• Training, coaching, mentoring, and supporting staff;
• Tracking caseloads;
• Ensuring critical event deadlines are met; 
• Implementing management plans and policies;
• Evaluating employee performance & providing feedback; 
• Working with leadership at the client agencies to ensure timely processing of cases; and
• Coordinating with the Section Chief and Division Chief as needed.

In addition to meeting the requirement to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, we seek an attorney who has:

• A minimum of five years of experience as a practicing attorney; 
• A strong desire to litigate, with litigation experience at the administrative, state and/or federal level; 
• Experience with the APA;
• A demonstrated commitment to public service; 
• Outstanding interpersonal, analytical, and writing skills; and
• The ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.

This Managing Assistant Attorney General positions is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. MAAG 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, preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable); and
• Writing sample (10 pages or less).

If you have questions about this position and/or want to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Section Chief Tracy Bahm at tracy.bahm@atg.wa.gov or 360-664-3796. 

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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 dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or the use of a trained dog guide or 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.