Assistant Attorney General - Regional Services Division, Kennewick

Assistant Attorney General

Are you a recent law school graduate looking for an attorney position that offers extensive training, mentorship, and the opportunity to develop your litigation and client advice skills? The Washington State Attorney General's Office is excited to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and collaborative Kennewick Office as an Assistant Attorney General with our Juvenile Litigation team.

The successful candidate will receive training from our local subject matter experts, as well as participate in our statewide training and mentorship programs.While you will be primarily assigned to the Juvenile Litigation team, you will have the opportunity to expand your experience by also assisting with a wide variety of clients with new and varying issues.

Kennewick offers a variety of attractions as a place to live and work. Kennewick is one of the Tri-Cities in southeast Washington composing the cities of Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, which when combined make the Tri-Cities the fourth largest city in the state and second largest in eastern Washington. With over 300 days of sunshine, the Tri-Cities offers affordable living, outdoor recreational opportunities adjacent to the Yakima, Snake and Columbia Rivers in a four-season climate and is located in the heart of Washington's wine country.

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.

Benefits and Compensation Details

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:

• Competitive salary, which may be negotiable within the given salary range, beginning July 1 ($90,708 and $157,080).
• Salaries are set in accordance with Appendix B of the AWAAG CBA schedule set forth below.
• Longevity pay of 5% premium on top of base wages after 5 years with the Attorney General's Office.
• A competitive benefit package that includes:
  • Affordable medical plan options, including vision benefits,
  • Dental benefits covered 100%
  • Retirement plan (employee/employer contribution)
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday
• 8 hours sick leave accrual per month
• 9.33 hours to start, then up to 16.67 hours of annual leave accrual per month (based on years of state service)
• Flex schedules and telecommuting options
• 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
• Qualifying Employer for Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• 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 provides CLE credits and is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide

Assistant Attorneys General Salary Schedule – A preferred candidate, for these positions, who graduated from law school in 2025 or 2026 would start no lower than Step 4 at $90,708.

Base Range Step Numbers - Graduation Year - AAG Range - Managing AAG 1 Range - Managing AAG 2 Range - Deputy Solicitor General Range

Step 2 - 2026 - 83,856 - 88,056 - 92,256 - 92,256

Step 3 - 2025 - 87,216 - 91,584 - 95,940 - 95,940

Step 4 - 2024 - 90,708 - 95,244 - 99,792 - 99,792

Step 5 - 2023 - 94,320 - 99,060 - 103,776 - 103,776

Step 6 - 2022 - 98,112 - 103,008 - 107,928 - 107,928

Step 7 - 2021 - 102,036 - 107,136 - 112,224 - 112,224

Step 8 - 2020 - 106,092 - 111,420 - 116,736 - 116,736

Step 9 - 2019 - 110,364 - 115,872 - 121,392 - 121,392

Step 10 - 2018 - 114,780 - 120,516 - 126,240 - 126,240

Step 11 - 2017 - 119,364 - 125,328 - 131,292 - 131,292

Step 12 - 2016 - 124,140 - 130,344 - 136536 - 136536

Step 13 - 2015 - 129,096 - 135,576 - 142,020 - 142,020

Step 14 - 2014 - 134,268 - 141,000 - 147,672 - 147,672

Step 15 - 2013 - 139,632 - 146,628 - 153,612 - 153,612

Step 16 - 2012 - 145,212 - 152,484 - 159,744 - 159,744

Step 17 - 2011 - 151,032 - 158,580 - 166,128 - 166,128

Step 18 - 2010 - 157,080 - 164,940 - 172,776 - 172,776

The Kennewick office represents state agencies and higher education institutions in Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties. Agencies include Department of Children Youth and Families, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Labor and Industries, Department of Licensing, Employment Security Department, Educational Service District #123, Columbia Basin College and Walla Walla Community College.

The primary emphasis for these positions are on representing DCYF in child welfare cases to protect abused and neglected children in dependency, guardianship, and termination of parental rights cases. The work is remarkably rewarding, while difficult at times. These cases directly influence the lives of children in our state, in a very meaningful way. Cases also involve advising the client regarding regulatory enforcement matters. The position will involve regular regional travel within Washington State.

In your role, representing the Department of Children Youth and Families, you will get to:

• Evaluate evidence to determine legal sufficiency to support court intervention;
• Apply the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act to the juvenile cases;
• Review relevant petitions and other documents;
• Consult with social workers and other agency employees;
• Submit and respond to discovery;