Team Leader - Criminal Justice Division's Organized Retail Crime Unit, Seattle

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 - 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

• 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 Bob Keppel Criminal Justice Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has an exciting opportunity in its downtown Seattle office for an attorney interested in leading the new Organized Retail Crimes (ORC) Unit.

Organized Retail Crime involves sometimes sophisticated and large-scale operations in which organized groups of individuals repeatedly steal items in order to resell them for a profit. These crimes endanger employees and the public and cause significant economic harm to our state.

In order to address the substantial, widespread and far–reaching impact these crimes have on the public and on Washington’s economy, the Legislature funded a unit within the Criminal Justice Division to investigate and prosecute these criminal enterprises.  

The AGO seeks an attorney to lead this unit which will include working with the Organized Retail Theft Task Force, which is an Attorney General convened working group created to improve coordination and collaboration among law enforcement agencies to address these multi-jurisdictional crimes. The Task Force’s focus is on sophisticated, organized crime rings that account for an estimated $120 billion in retail losses across the country.

The selected candidate will prosecute organized retail crimes around the state, and supervise the ORC Unit, which will include another prosecutor, investigators and a data consultant. While ORC is the primary focus of this position, the selected candidate should be proficient in investigating and prosecuting a full range of crimes. 

The successful candidate will lead the ORC team to accomplish its goals of:

• Assisting with criminal investigations
• Coordinating investigations across multiple jurisdictions
• Deploying resources where they are most needed
• Prosecuting cases referred to the office by county prosecutors
• Working pro-actively with the Organized Retail Task Force

The selected candidate will report to the Major Economic Crimes Section Chief and will work with other attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, data consultants, and investigators as well as state, local and federal law enforcement and retailers to successfully investigate and prosecute organized retail crime cases. 

The AGO receives criminal referrals from any of Washington’s 39 county prosecuting attorneys or the governor. The selected candidate will work in downtown Seattle, but travel around the state for meetings, speaking engagements, court hearings, investigations and trial preparation as necessary.

In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, preferred candidates will also possess:

• At least five years of trial experience and trial practice in criminal law;
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills or demonstrated ability to build a team with measurable results;
• Exceptional legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills that promote a collegial, inclusive and respectful workplace;
• Demonstrated good judgment when exercising discretion in criminal cases;
• The ability to work independently and in a variety of settings;
• Commitment to public service and justice for victims of crime around the state; and
• Admission to practice in Washington state courts.

The selected candidate is proficient in:

• Leading, managing, and mentoring a team of prosecutors and criminal investigators
• Handling all phases of a criminal prosecution from charging to trial;
• Negotiating plea agreements under Washington’s sentencing guidelines;
• Composing correspondence, pleadings and other written communications to courts, opposing counsel, prosecutors, law enforcement and others; and
• Defending convictions on appeal and representing the State in appellate matters before the Court of Appeals and Washington Supreme Court.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

NOTE! The applicants selected will be required to submit to and pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Washington State Patrol, Criminal Records Division. The incumbent will submit to additional background checks as a condition of employment every five (5) years thereafter.

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. AAG salaries are set between $80,592 and $156,996. The exact amount is set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA. Positions located in King County are eligible for 5% King County Assignment Pay. 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, preferable as PDF's:

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

If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we welcome and encourage you to contact Division Chief John Hillman at (206) 389-2026 or the Major Economic Crimes Unit Section Chief, Tienney Milnor, at (206) 389-2006 or Tienney.Milnor@atg.wa.gov.  

*************************

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 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.