Closing Date: 28th March, 2023

Description:

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 (Download PDF reader) 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 $71,652 and $134,208. 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 Revenue and Finance Division of the Washington State Attorney General's Office has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General to represent the Office of the State Treasurer (OST) and the Washington Health Care Facilities Authority (WHCFA) as lead counsel. This is a unique opportunity for an attorney to work on a broad range of legal issues that are challenging, complex, and encompass multiple aspects of state government operations. This position works closely with outside bond attorneys who are appointed as Special Assistant Attorneys General (SAAGs) in representing these clients as well as another AAG who represents OST along with other clients.

Duties:
The State Treasurer is one of eight statewide elected officers established by the Washington Constitution, and is third in the line of succession in case of a vacancy in the office of the Governor. OST's three primary responsibilities are cash management, debt management, and investment management; these responsibilities include, among other activities, representing the state of Washington in contracts with financial institutions; planning and administering state bond and certificate of participation issuances to provide funding for major capital projects; and investing state operating and custodial trust funds as well as certain local government funds. OST exercises delegated authority from, and provides staff support to, the State Finance Committee and the Public Deposit Protection Commission. The State Treasurer also sits on a number of boards and committees including the State Investment Board.

The WHCFA is a “conduit” finance agency that provides bond financing for non-profit health care facilities. WHCFA's involvement allows borrowers to obtain financing at a reduced cost to decrease the cost of healthcare services. Since its creation the WHCFA has financed over 500 projects and issued over $19 billion in bonds.

Lead counsel to OST and WHCFA duties include, but are not limited to:

Providing legal advice, both written and oral, relating to OST's core debt, cash, and investment management responsibilities including constitutional issues;
Providing legal guidance on open public meetings, public records, and other general governmental issues;
Assisting in the drafting of RFPs and contracts;
Providing direct support to OST's Director of Legal Affairs and in conjunction with that position coordinating legal work to be assigned to SAAGs; and
Participating in financing and regulatory compliance teams, providing legal advice as part of the issuance of bonds and other financings, and developing constructive working relationships with OST and WHCFA staff and outside financial and legal advisors who participate in those teams.

The Revenue and Finance Division offers a collaborative, collegial, and supportive environment that fosters the success of its members. The division's Tumwater unit has 22 professional staff members and attorneys. In addition to OST and WHCFA, the division also provides legal advice and litigation services to a number of other state agencies, including the Department of Revenue, Department of Retirement Systems, Washington State Investment Board, the Office of the State Actuary, the Office of Financial Management, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. The division's attorneys litigate before various administrative boards, Washington superior and appellate courts, and federal courts. Attorneys work independently and on teams with diverse work assignments, staffed by dedicated professional staff. The Revenue and Finance Division offers and encourages attorneys to take advantage of training opportunities and mentoring by seasoned professionals. Like the rest of the Attorney General's Office, the division values diversity and enjoys a collegial, inclusive, and respectful working environment in which every person demonstrates commitment to providing exceptional legal services. Division members are given the tools to excel professionally, and the necessary support to reach a healthy work-life balance. This is a full-time position located in Tumwater (just south of Olympia). The position reports directly to the REV division chief.

Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the successful applicant for this position must have:

Strong analytical, research, and writing skills and the ability to consistently produce high-quality work;
Experience providing independent, sound legal advice to sophisticated clients on a variety of complex issues; and experience developing practical solutions, exhibiting proactive and creative problem-solving skills, and maintaining perspective;
Strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully handle competing, time-sensitive assignments;
The ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships; and
An affinity for finance and transactional work.

The following skills and knowledge are preferred:

At least three years' experience as a practicing attorney;
Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts;
The ability to work both independently and collaboratively; and
Experience with state agency operations-related topics such as open public meetings, public records, records retention, and public procurements.

To serve as an Assistant Attorney General, one 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.

Per AGO Policy, employees and volunteers of the AGO must be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. Effective March 14, 2022, the AGO announced pursuant to its policy, that employees and volunteers must also receive a booster shot as a condition of employment. Employees or volunteers who are not eligible to receive the booster before their start date, due to required waiting times after receiving their initial vaccine(s), must provide confirmation of the vaccine type and date received so the AGO can calculate the date by which they must receive the booster. If you are selected to serve within the AGO as an employee or volunteer, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination and booster (if already received) before you are able to begin work. You may request an accommodation if you are unable to meet the requirement due to a medical or religious necessity.

Supplemental Information:

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 $71,652 and $134,208. 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 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 and 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, please contact OST Lead Counsel Stacia Hollar at Stacia.Hollar@atg.wa.gov / (360) 890-1987 or Division Chief Cam Comfort at Cam.Comfort@atg.wa.gov / (360) 664-9429.

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.