All applicants must submit their materials by clicking the application link here or by going to www.careers.wa.gov, filter by department (Attorney General’s Office) and select “Assistant Attorney General – Criminal Justice Division, Signature Project Unit, Seattle.”
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 primarily to human trafficking, with some opportunity to also work on homicides, sexual assaults, and missing and murdered indigenous persons.
Responsibilities
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 Investigations Support Team (SAIST), and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People 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. SAIST 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 investigating 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 human trafficking. The preferred candidate may also, on occasion, prosecute crimes against persons cases at the request of county prosecuting attorneys, including homicides, sexual assaults, and cold cases. The preferred candidate is also able to provide legal support for investigations of human trafficking, homicides, sexual assaults, and missing persons. The preferred candidate will collaborate with local, tribal 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, SAIST, and MMIWP when needed, and training will be provided.
The attorney selected for this position will work with investigators, crime analysts, data consultants, paralegals, 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 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 a team, is adept at building relationships with criminal justice agency partners and has a strong desire to bring justice to victims and survivors of human trafficking and other serious crime.
Qualifications
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.
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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.
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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 $82,212 and $153,996. 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
Application Process
All applicants must submit their materials by clicking the application link here or by going to www.careers.wa.gov, filter by department (Attorney General’s Office) and select “Assistant Attorney General – Criminal Justice Division, Signature Project Unit, Seattle.”
