Assistant Attorney General - Transportation & Public Construction (rep. WSDOT), Olympia

All employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office (AGO) 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 - Assistant Attorney General (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 Transportation and Public Construction Division (TPC) in Olympia, WA has an immediate opening for an attorney interested in providing litigation services and client advice to one of the largest developers in the State, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

This position will represent WSDOT in all aspects of public works procurement and construction administration, construction claims, bid protests, contract drafting, land use, and real property in support of the delivery of transportation projects, including Washington State Ferries (WSF) and a variety of transportation electrification projects throughout the State. These are increasingly becoming large scale projects which exceed $100M in costs. This position may also provide advice and litigation services to the Department of Enterprise Services and several other transportation-related state agencies. The selected candidate will have an opportunity to work independently and to partner with other TPC attorneys, professional staff and clients on a wide variety of interesting and challenging matters. The TPC Division is a professional and inclusive work environment where teamwork, high quality legal service and work-life balance are highly valued. It includes 24 attorney and professional staff located in Tumwater and Spokane and provides advice and litigation services to WSDOT in support of its construction, operation, and maintenance of state highways, the state ferry systems, and state-owned rail lines.  TPC litigates matters in state and federal courts and administrative forums. TPC offers a fast- paced and intellectually demanding legal practice and provides internal training and mentoring in a very collegial atmosphere.

This full-time position may involve occasional travel. The TPC supports telework and flexibility related to work schedules and provides all necessary equipment and technical support. It is anticipated that the person hired will immediately and for the near future perform a significant portion of their work remotely by telecommuting.

Typical duties performed by attorneys in TPC include:

• Working positively within a team setting to develop effective legal strategies;
• Providing options-based legal advice and litigation support to clients and AGO management;
• Representing clients in all aspects of State, Federal and Administrative proceedings;   
• Advising on state rulemaking and legislative efforts;
• Negotiating contracts and real property transactions; and
• Providing training to agency clients and external stakeholders.

In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the preferred candidate for this complex and rewarding work will have: 

• A minimum of three years of experience practicing law that includes experience providing client advice and litigation services in any of the following areas:  heavy civil, marine or vertical construction projects, private and public entity contracting, real property acquisition and land use, engineering and design services, and/or related matters;
• Excellent analytical, writing and oral advocacy skills;
• A comfort and willingness to handle high profile, fast paced, and challenging advice matters and cases;
• The ability to promote a cooperative work environment that supports diversity at all levels; and
• The ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively with clients and co-workers.

This 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 $76,752 and $149,508. 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 are 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

If you have questions about these positions and/or wish to learn more about them before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Division Chief Bryce Brown at Bryce.Brown@atg.wa.gov or (360) 753-4962.  

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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 Office of the Attorney General 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 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.