Supv. Attorney Advisor (Assistant Section Chief)

Closing Date: 22nd December, 2025

Description:

General Job Information
Job Summary:
Located in the nation's capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends, and provides legal advice to the District's government agencies and protects the interests of District residents. This position is in the Housing and Environmental Justice (HEJS) Section of the Public Advocacy Division (PAD).

HEJS is seeking an experienced attorney and manager to serve as Assistant Chief for HEJS in PAD. PAD investigates and litigates affirmative civil cases aimed at protecting the public interest, including cases involving civil rights, consumer protection, housing conditions, elder justice, antitrust laws, workers' rights, and fraud against the District.

HEJS investigates and litigates claims against landlords related to housing conditions and tenant safety—including for violations of the District's Housing and Property Maintenance Codes under the Tenant Receivership Act and the Consumer Protection Procedures Act, and for violations of the Drug-, Firearm-, and Prostitution-Related Nuisance Abatement Act. HEJS also enforces environmental laws that protect the District's natural resources, improve public health, and promote environmental justice, including the Hazardous Waste Management Act, Water Pollution Control Act, and Lead-Hazard Prevention and Elimination Act. As part of HEJS, the Equitable Land Use team advocates for the public interest in zoning and land use. HEJS works with other District agencies before the District's Public Service Commission to ensure that utilities comply with solar power, clean energy, and other climate-related requirements. HEJS also receives and responds to tips, referrals, and complaints from tenants, residents, community groups, and sister agencies; engages in public education and outreach and collaborates with local and national tenant and environmental advocates; and advises, comments, and testifies on legislative and regulatory proposals to strengthen housing and environmental enforcement on the local and federal level.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Working with the Section Chief, the Assistant Section Chief will oversee the management and operation of the Section, which currently includes 17 Assistant Attorneys General and Special Assistant Attorneys General, two paralegals, two investigators, and one staff assistant.

The HEJS Assistant Section Chief will assist with and be responsible for:

• Serving as a thought partner to the HEJS Chief regarding the Section's strategic priorities and goals and implementation of the same.
• Working with the HEJS Chief in establishing and implementing policies and procedures for the Section's work.
• Co-managing the litigation work of the Section, including directly supervising lawyers, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff; reviewing and editing written work product at all phases of investigation and litigation; preparing attorneys for court appearances; advising on litigation strategy; overseeing all phases of litigation; and tracking the Section's cases and activities.
• Managing hiring, performance evaluation, and training and professional development opportunities for attorneys and professional staff.
• Assisting in the management of referrals and intakes on housing, environmental, and land use issues.
• Working with community members, tenants' associations and other community groups, local legal service providers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders during investigations and litigation.
• Working with local government agencies and officials during the course of investigations and litigation and on policy issues, including the District's Department of Buildings, Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection, Department of Energy and Environment, Office of People's Counsel, and Metropolitan Police Department.
• Advising the Attorney General, Chief Deputy Attorney General, Deputy and Assistant Deputy Attorneys General of PAD, and other senior members at OAG on legal and policy issues related to housing, environmental, and land use issues.
• Representing the Attorney General in meetings and communications with members and staff of the D.C. Council and other government officials.
• Developing proposals to strengthen existing District of Columbia housing, environmental, and land use enforcement laws and regulations and, where appropriate, commenting and/or testifying on pending legislation and regulations at both the local and federal level.
• Coordinating and participating in local and national working groups focused on housing, environmental, and land use enforcement in the District and nationwide.

How to Apply: Online Application must be completed in its entirety, along with the following submissions:

• Cover Letter
• Résumé
• Legal Writing Sample
• A List of Three Current References

Please upload all of these documents as one combined PDF in the “resume” field of the application. If experiencing issues uploading attachments, please send the required documents to OAGrecruitment@DC.gov. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position. **

Qualifications and Education:
The candidate must have at least seven (7) years of civil litigation experience and must excel in oral and written communication, project management, and legal writing and editing. The candidate also must have a creative orientation toward the law and bring innovative thinking to the ways in which OAG can expand its work to meet the needs of District residents. The ideal candidate will have significant experience leading case teams and managing legal work and the workloads of attorneys and staff, and substantial experience with litigating complex, discovery-heavy, fast-paced litigation matters.

The ideal candidate will have experience as a manager or supervisor, or if not, will demonstrate aptitude for mentoring staff and developing their skills and job knowledge. Ideally, the candidate should have substantive knowledge of relevant laws, policies, and practices relating to housing, the environment, and/or zoning and land use enforcement. We also value candidates with a demonstrated commitment to the District.

Licenses and Certifications:
Incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Associated (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment.

The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar and be admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia during his/her employment in the Legal Service.

If not currently a member of the District of the Columbia Bar, prior to appointment, the successful candidate must send proof that his/her completed District of Columbia Bar application has been submitted to the District of Columbia Bar.

Working Conditions/Environment:
Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Generally, work is sedentary, some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as case records, briefcases, and exhibits) is required.

Other Significant Factors

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: Lx-0905-01

Salary: The Starting Salary Is Negotiable up To $160,000 Depending on Qualifications and Availability of Funds for This Position.

Number of Vacancies: One (1)

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday; 8:45 Am - 5:15 Pm

In-Person Reporting with Limited Telework and Flexible Work Schedules Available upon Eligibility.

Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This Position Is Not in A Collective Bargaining Unit.

Type of Appointment: Legal Supervisory Service (lx) – Regular

Residency Preference: Applicants Claiming “residency Preference” Will Be Required to Maintain Residency in The District of Columbia for A Minimum of Seven (7) Years. Failure to Do so May Result in Forfeiture of Employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer: All Qualified Candidates Will Receive Consideration without Regard to Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Age, Marital Status, Personal Appearance, Sexual Orientation, Family Responsibilities, Matriculation, Physical Handicap, Genetic Information, or Political Affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In Accordance with The D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as Amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 Et. Seq., (act) the District of Columbia Does Not Discriminate on The Basis of Actual or Perceived Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Age, Marital Status, Personal Appearance, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, Family Responsibilities, Matriculation, Political Affiliation, Disability, Genetic Information, Status as A Victim or Family Member of A Victim of Domestic Violence, a Sexual Offense, or Stalking, C

---