Unit Chief Counsel

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Child and Family Protection Division/Protective Services Section is seeking a Unit Chief Counsel. The incumbent of this position will manage a unit of attorneys responsible for litigation on behalf of and in representation of the Department of Child Safety (DCS).

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

The Unit Chief Counsel ensures PSS attorneys comply with their duties and responsibilities, provides ongoing training and support for the attorneys, provides client advice and support, serves on stakeholder committees. This position reports directly to the Protective Services Section Chief Counsels. Under direction, the Unit Chief Counsel plans, organizes, directs, and supervises attorneys' work, pursuant to the policies, procedures, and practices of the Protective Services Section. The Unit Chief Counsel is responsible for interviewing, hiring recommendations, training, coaching, and discipline.

Knowledge needed:

•Knowledge and understanding of case law, statutes, rules, and regulations regarding dependency law and Title 8.
•Knowledge of legal techniques and the basic concepts of American Jurisprudence and of the formats utilized in the preparation of legal documents.

Skills needed:

•Oral advocacy
•Effective legal writing
•Skilled in communication
•Legal analysis and reasoning
•Good judgment regarding legal advice/recommendation
•Effective case presentation trial work

Abilities needed:

•Display appropriate courtroom demeanor.
•Build client relationship
•Negotiation skills and persuasive ability
•Utilize a problem-solving approach
•Litigate using innovative techniques
•Must be able to handle a high volume of work and stressful situations
•Identify and resolve legal and supervisory issues, including Agency leadership as appropriate.

•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
•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

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. 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.