Section Chief - Tacoma Division's Social & Health Services Section

All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office serve a crucial role in the protection of the state, its people and resources, thereby providing an incomparable degree of job satisfaction. The AGO is composed of diverse, collegial and supremely talented legal professionals who are resolute in their commitment to public service and share the common goal of advancing the public interest. For more information about the AGO, we encourage you to review the Office's Annual Report which can be found HERE and view THIS VIDEO.

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 

The Washington State Attorney General's Office's Tacoma Division has an immediate opening for a Section Chief in the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) Section.

As Section Chief, the incumbent directly supervises 4 Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs). In addition, this position serves as a member of the Tacoma Management Team. As the DCYF Section Chief, the person in this position carries out a variety of management duties, including hiring employees, providing feedback, evaluating employees, assigning cases, tracking caseloads, ensuring critical event deadlines are met, addressing performance and interpersonal problems, implementing performance management plans and policies, overseeing various administrative tasks, regularly coordinating with the Tacoma Division Chief, and meeting at least monthly with office employees, and meeting weekly with the Division Chief, LNI Section Chief, and Administrative Office Manager (AOM). To be successful in this assignment, one must demonstrate legal competency, good organizational and time management skills, the ability to delegate, courage to make difficult decisions, flexibility, open communication, good judgment and an appreciation of and respect for people’s diverse experiences, skills, and areas for professional growth. The Section Chief serves as the representative for the office in the local community and, in that capacity, interacts regularly with a wide array of court-related stakeholders and must always conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner aligned with AGO mission and values. 

The AAGs in this section work mainly in a fast-paced litigation practice entailing frequent state court docket and trial appearances and administrative hearings. This office represents the Department of Children, Youth and Families in juvenile court and licensing matters in Pierce and Kitsap counties.  Cases may also include contested adoptions under RCW Chapter 26.33, family law matters under Title 26, and public disclosure/confidentiality issues. The position handles matters brought in Kitsap and Pierce counties. This position advises and represents the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) in court proceedings and through appeal, requiring familiarity and knowledge of applicable rules, statutes, and procedures.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, candidates with experience in high volume litigation practices and a demonstrated ability to quickly learn new areas of the law will be considered. Handling some aspect of juvenile litigation as part of the Section Chief’s active practice should be considered an expectation for this position. 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. The attorneys in these positions advise and represent DCYF in litigation and on appeal, requiring familiarity with applicable rules and procedures.
 
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.

This Managing 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. Managing 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, 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, you are welcome and encouraged to contact Division Chief Laura Wulf at (253) 597-4106 or via email at Laura.Wulf@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 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.