Assistant Attorney General - Criminal Justice Division's Signature Projects Unit, Seattle

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.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 Bob Keppel Criminal Justice Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has an exciting opportunity in its Seattle office for an attorney in its Signature Projects Unit.The mission of the Criminal Justice Division is to work with and support its partners in the criminal justice community to create safer communities. The attorney selected for this position will help provide safer communities by working on investigations, prosecutions, and training related to homicides, sexual assaults, human trafficking, and missing and murdered indigenous persons.The Signature Projects Unit (SPU) of the Criminal Justice Division is comprised of three investigative and data collection teams: the Homicide Investigation Tracking System (HITS), the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Cold Case Team (MMIWP). HITS collects data on Washington homicide investigations and other violent crimes that is stored in a searchable database that can be used to identify commonalities between unsolved crimes. HITS also provides investigative support to Washington law enforcement agencies investigating homicides. The SAKI Team collects data on sexual assault kits, provides funding to local law enforcement for forensic genetic genealogy for unsolved sexually motivated crimes, and is attempting to cause the collection of DNA from Washington offenders who statutorily owe a DNA sample to be tested and profiled for upload to the national DNA database. The MMIWP Cold Case Team is tasked with trying to solve Washington’s cold cases involving missing and murdered indigenous people. The Signature Projects Unit also provides support for statewide efforts to combat human trafficking.We seek an attorney with the demonstrated trial experience necessary to prosecute crimes against persons cases at the request of county prosecuting attorneys, including homicides, sexual assaults, human trafficking and cold cases. The preferred candidate is also able to provide legal support for investigations of homicides/sexual assaults/missing persons/human trafficking, liaison with local and federal criminal justice agencies on cases and criminal justice issues, participate in task forces, conduct outreach on the work of the SPU, and provide training to investigators and prosecutors. Public records experience is not necessary for application, but the attorney will also provide public records guidance for HITS, SAKI, and MMIWP when needed, and training will be provided.In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the attorney selected for this position will work with numerous investigators, crime analysts, data consultants, paralegal, and victim advocates in a collaborative, collegial work environment. The position is located in downtown Seattle, but telework is an option. The position is directly supervised by the Section Chief of the Signature Projects Unit, who is a managing attorney. The attorney candidate selected for this position will also work with numerous criminal justice agency partners throughout Washington, including police agencies, county prosecutors, the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, tribal nations, and other federal, state, and local entities. In addition to trial experience, the desired candidate can work both independently and as part of team, is adept at building relationships with criminal justice agency partners, and has a strong desire to bring closure and justice to victims and survivors of violent crime.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.• * * * * * * * * * * *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 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. The salary of an employee whose official duty station is Seattle would reflect 5% King County Assignment Pay per legislative action. 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.If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Section Chief Laura Twitchell at laura.twitchell@atg.wa.gov or Division Chief John Hillman at john.hillman@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 race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation 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.