Washington State Attorney General’s Office - Special Counsel - Civil Rights Division
Job link here.
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.
All staff in the AGO are guided by the following core values:
We will deliver high quality legal services and remember that we serve the people of Washington.
We will conduct ourselves with integrity, professionalism, civility and transparency.
We will promote a collegial, inclusive and diverse workplace that values, respects and supports our employees.
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
A formal AAG mentoring program that complements the AGO's inherently collegial and supportive environment
Health and wellness program
Training and development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide
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The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has an exciting, new leadership opportunity for an attorney with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and public service. The Civil Rights Division is hiring for a newly created Special Counsel for Civil Rights Policy, who will lead the Division’s important work on policy and legislative matters touching civil rights, unfair practices, and the rights of underserved Washingtonians.
Duties
This new position will lead the policy side of the Civil Rights Division’s work to protect the constitutional and civil rights of Washingtonians. The Civil Rights Division has led some of the most visible and cutting-edge enforcement matters the office undertakes, including Washington's challenges to the federal government's Travel Ban, Transgender Military Service Ban, and repeal of DACA. We challenge labor practices at the Northwest Detention Center and in industries ranging from aerospace to agriculture.
The team protects the rights of Washingtonians to live and participate in our communities without discrimination on the bases of race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, immigration status, gender identity (Download PDF reader), veteran status, or disability. We take on unconstitutional police practices and challenge discrimination by nationwide companies like Motel 6, Greyhound, and Facebook. During the COVID-19 crisis, we have played an active role in enforcing Governor Inslee’s moratorium on evictions, ensuring compliance by housing developers, affordable housing providers, and a national sorority.
Interested candidates are encouraged to review the Division’s full list of cases and amicus briefs.
Our policy work is a crucial and wide-ranging component of the Division’s activities, and includes implementing the provision of Washington’s Healthy Starts Act, Fair Chance Act, Keep Washington Working, and new protections (Download PDF reader) for residential tenants in the wake of COVID-19. The Division routinely is asked to participate in the development, analysis, and implementation of federal and state policy, including testifying in support of bills that further voting rights and prohibit unfair discrimination based on source of income. We participate in task forces and workgroups convened by the Attorney General’s Office, including groups working on reforming the use of force by law enforcement, improving statewide response to hate crimes, coordinating inter-agency work to protect the rights of vulnerable workers, and creating effective agency community engagement practices.
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The SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR CIVIL RIGHTS POLICY is a leadership position with the Civil Rights Division and reports to the Division Chief. The Special Counsel will serve as the point person for the Division’s policy work at the federal and state levels, as well as on policy proposals and task forces in which the Division is active. This includes taking primary responsibility for policy development, analysis, and implementation, as well as serving as the Division’s liaison with members of U.S. congressional offices, the Governor’s Office, state legislators and their staffs, cabinet agency staff, the Attorney General’s Legislative Affairs and Policy Divisions, and community stakeholders who seek to partner with the Division on policy initiatives that advance the rights of the communities we serve.
The Special Counsel will be responsible for tracking and monitoring federal and state policy developments, news, and public opinion regarding current and emerging civil rights issues to assist the Division and larger agency in developing timely and informed policy positions and responses. The Special Counsel will leverage their policy work to identify issues for potential enforcement, and may serve as a member of, or consultant to, teams working on investigation and litigation matters. This position will also promote vibrant governmental, stakeholder, and community partnerships by providing coordination and organization for the Civil Rights Division’s outreach and public education efforts.
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The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division is located in Seattle and consists of fourteen attorneys, two investigators, and five professional staff members. Each member of our team is committed to the highest-quality work. We value collaboration, diversity, creativity, and collegiality.
This position requires statewide travel, including overnight trips. Out-of-state travel may also be required.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the requirements to serve as an Assistant Attorney General, the Special Counsel position requires the following qualifications:
Six or more years of civil practice experience on issues related to civil rights, vulnerable populations, or social justice. This experience may include litigation, client advice, or policy advice and development;
Experience developing and/or implementing policy initiatives designed to benefit underserved communities;
Strong analytical, research, and writing skills and the ability consistently to produce high-quality work;
Strong organizational skills and the ability successfully to handle competing, time-sensitive assignments;
Exceptional and positive interpersonal and communication skills, including demonstrated cultural competence and experience working with individuals from diverse cultural, language, educational, and geographic backgrounds;
A high level of motivation with the ability to work independently, be a team player, and devote whatever time is necessary to complete our work; and
Demonstrated discretion, excellent judgment, and the ability to work well as a member of a larger team that is often working under pressure.
Other, preferred, qualifications include:
Experience advising government leaders or government clients; and
The ability to read, write, and/or speak a language in addition to English.
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.
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WORKING CONDITION
COVID Vaccination Requirement: Per AGO Policy, as a condition of employment, existing employees and volunteers of the Washington State Attorney General's Office (AGO) must be fully vaccinated no later than October 18, 2021. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID vaccine regime. If you are selected to serve within the AGO as an employee or volunteer, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination 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. Currently all staff, whose duties permit, are teleworking, though AGO plans to re-open its offices for visitors and staff beginning November 29, 2021.
Supplemental Information
This position, classified as a Managing AAG one, is represented by the Association of Washington Assistant Attorneys General (AWAAG) / Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) AFSCME Council 28, AFL-CIO. Managing AAG salaries start at $72,864. Ultimately, Managing AAG salaries are set in accordance with the AWAAG CBA. If the official duty station of the person hired is King County, that salary will reflect an additional 5% King County Assignment Pay. 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.
Important Note: Redact from any document social security numbers, and do not include documents that are password protected.
If you have questions about this position and/or wish to learn more about it before applying, we encourage and welcome you to contact Division Chief Colleen Melody at Colleen.Melody@atg.wa.gov or (206) 464-5342. The deadline to apply is November 7, 2021.
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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 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 Kalea Muigai at 360-586-7698. 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.