SALARY RANGE: $94,915 – $112,155

OPENING DATE: March 22, 2017

CLOSING DATE: April 12, 2017 

This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 1403 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction. 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: The Public Safety Division of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is seeking a trial attorney for the Mental Health Section. The Mental Health Section represents the Department of Behavioral Health prosecuting involuntary civil commitment cases and guardianship cases. If you are looking for an opportunity to hone your litigation skills, and you enjoy the excitement of a fast-paced litigation environment where you have the glamor of prepping and presenting expert witnesses in all your contested hearings, then the Mental Health Section is the place for you. Attorneys in the Mental Health Section litigate probable cause, revocation, status and guardianship hearings, bench and jury trials before the Family Court of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and hearings before the Commission on Mental Health (comprised of a judge and two clinicians). Attorneys in the Mental Health Section enjoy the collegiality and collaborative work environment, with great professional staff who eagerly support the team. For those who enjoy imparting their knowledge to others, attorneys are given the opportunity to conduct trainings for the client agencies, the Metropolitan Police Department, and other stakeholders on their roles in supporting the Section’s work. Attorneys also prepare pleadings and provide legal advice to its client agency. 

QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate should have excellent litigation, legal research and writing skills, be a team player, committed to public interest work and helping individuals with mental illnesses, and possess the ability to produce quality work in a fast-paced environment as well as the ability to present the government’s case at probable cause hearings on short notice. Lawyers with one to three years of post-graduate experience are encouraged to apply. Attorneys in this Section are designated as essential employees. 

ELIGIBILITY: The successful candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. 

OTHER INFORMATION: The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks. 

HOW TO APPLY: Candidates should e-mail one PDF file which includes: 1) a cover letter (must include the vacancy number) summarizing why you are interested and the skills and abilities you possess that will enable you to succeed in this position; 2) résumé; 3) list of three references; and 4) a writing sample to OAG.RecruitmentAttorney@dc.gov by 11:59pm of the closing date indicated above, addressed to Arlyntha Love, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, 441 4th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. 

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION: Displaced Employee Priority Placement: Candidates who are eligible for the District of Columbia’s Displaced Employee Program (DEP) and Agency Reemployment Priority Placement Program (ARPP) will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified. 

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government’s retirement plan. However, if selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia’s government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment. 

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE: Applicants claiming veterans’ preference must submit official proof at the time of application. 

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of or a plea of guilty to a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace. 

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, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. 

OFFICIAL JOB OFFERS ARE TO BE MADE ONLY BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES SECTION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL