Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Kennewick

The WA State Attorney General’s Office is excited to offer opportunities to join our supportive and collaborative Kennewick Office of the Regional Services Division where you will serve a critical role as an Assistant Attorney General with our Juvenile Litigation team. Whether you are a new law school graduate or an experienced attorney, these positions provide training, mentorship and a fast-paced litigation practice with many opportunities to appear at trial. While you will be primarily assigned to the Juvenile litigation team, you will have the opportunity to expand your experience by also assisting with a wide variety of clients with new and varying issues.

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

Kennewick offers a variety of attractions as a place to live and work. Kennewick is one of the Tri-Cities in southeast Washington composing the cities of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, which when combined make the Tri-Cities the fourth largest city in the state and second largest in eastern Washington. With over 300 days of sunshine, the Tri-Cities offers affordable living, outdoor recreational opportunities adjacent to the Yakima, Snake and Columbia Rivers in a four-season climate and is located in the heart of Washington’s wine country. For more information about the Tri-Cities, visit theofficial website.

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

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.

Benefits and Compensation Details

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:

• Competitive salary, which may be negotiable within the given salary range ($88,932 and $153,996).
• Salaries are set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBAschedule set forth below.
• Longevity pay of 5% premium on top of base wages after 5 years with the Attorney General’s Office.
• A competitive benefit package that includes:
  • Affordable medical plan options, including vision benefits,
  • Dental benefits covered 100%
  • Retirement plan (employee/employer contribution)
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday
• 8 hours sick leave accrual per month
• 9.33 hours to start, then up to 16.67 hours of annual leave accrual per month (based on years of state service)
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• 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
• Qualifying Employer for Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• 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 provides CLE credits and is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide

Assistant Attorneys General Salary Schedule – A preferred candidate, for these positions, who graduated from law school in 2024 or 2025 would start no lower than Step 4 at $88,932.

Base Range Step Numbers

Graduation Year

AAG Range

Managing AAG 1 Range

Managing AAG 2 Range

Deputy Solicitor General Range

Step 2

2025

82,212

86,328

90,444

90,444

Step3

2024

85,500

89,784

94,056

94,056

Step4

2023

88,932

93,372

97,836

97,836

Step5

2022

92,472

97,116

101,736

101,736

Step6

2021

96,192

100,992

105,816

105,816

Step7

2020

100,032

105,036

110,028

110,028

Step8

2019

104,016

109,236

114,444

114,444

Step9

2018

108,204

113,604

119,016

119,016

Step10

2017

112,524

118,152

123,768

123,768

Step11

2016

117,024

122,868

128,712

128,712

Step12

2015

121,704

127,788

133,860

133,860

Step13

2014

126,564

132,912

139,236

139,236

Step14

2013

131,640

138,240

144,780

144,780

Step15

2012

136,896

143,748

150,600

150,600

Step16

2011

142,368

149,496

156,612

156,612

Step17

2010

148,068

155,472

162,876

162,876

Step 18

2009

153,996

161,700

169,392

169,392

The Kennewick office represents state agencies and higher education institutions in Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties. Agencies include Department of Children Youth and Families, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Labor and Industries, Department of Licensing, Employment Security Department, Educational Service District #123, Columbia Basin College and Walla Walla Community College.

The primary emphasis for these positions are on representing DCYF in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. The work is remarkably rewarding, while difficult at times. These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state, in a very meaningful way. Cases also involve advising the client regarding regulatory enforcement matters. The position will involve regular regional travel within Washington State.

In your role, representing the Department of Children Youth and Families, you will get to:

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention;
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act to the juvenile cases;
• Review relevant petitions and other documents;
• Consult with social workers and other agency employees;
• Submit and respond to discovery;
• Prepare witnesses and evidence for hearing or trial;
• Review reports submitted to the court;
• Perform research and analysis;
• Submit relevant briefing to the court;
• Communicate frequently with other attorneys and guardians ad litem to resolve issues related to underlying cases;
• Consider settlement options; and
• Take all other actions related to these matters.

In addition to meeting the qualifications to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, specific qualifications for these positions include the ability to quickly adapt to a practice that involves assignment of cases in a fast-paced litigation environment, and the ability to shift from one type of work to another during a given week or day.

The ability to communicate with a variety of client agency representatives efficiently and effectively, as well as with attorney and non-attorney colleagues within the office, is critical to success in the position.These positions provide significant opportunities to quickly develop and exercise independent judgment within the context of a large law office striving to provide consistent representation to client agencies in locations throughout the state.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage time, to identify and prioritize tasks necessary to complete, and to maintain a well-organized practice under significant case load demands are essential.

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 areactivelypursuing admission 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.

These AAG positions are 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 $82,212 and $153,996 however, the salary for these positions are set between $88,932 and $153,996. Preferred candidates for this position, who graduated from law school in 2024 or 2025 would start no lower than Step 4 at $88,932.The exact amount is set in accordance withAppendix 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'senvironmental policies.Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above.

Interested applicants must apply by hitting the "apply" button above. In addition to the on-line application, one must upload, via the system and preferably as PDFs:

• A letter of interest;
• Resume;
• Law school transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) showing date JD conferred; and
• A 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 Bryan Ovens at Bryan.Ovens@atg.wa.gov.

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

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visitwww.uscis.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 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 atHREmployment@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.