SALARY RANGE: $79,810 – $94,915
WORKSITE LOCATION: Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia Family Services Division Child Protection Sections 200 I Street SE (4th Floor) Washington, DC 20003
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 Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is seeking a trial attorney for the Family Services Division, Child Protection Section. Attorneys in the Child Protection sections represent the District of Columbia on behalf of the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) in child abuse and neglect cases in the Family Court of the D.C. Superior Court. There are four Child Protection sections. Attorneys in these sections handle all aspects of child neglect litigation on behalf of the District and CFSA, from petitioning through the achievement of permanency. Attorneys are responsible for petitioning new cases alleging child abuse or neglect, propounding and/or responding to discovery, filing and/or responding to pre-trial motions, participating in mediation, preparing witnesses to testify at trial, and presenting evidence at trial. The attorneys also represent CFSA post-adjudication with the goal of ultimately securing a safe and permanent home for children through reunification, adoption or guardianship. In the post-adjudication phase of a neglect case, attorneys are responsible for representing CFSA at review of disposition, status and permanency hearings, participating in evidentiary hearings, filing motions and responsive pleadings. In addition, the attorneys provide advice and counsel to social workers and other professionals from CFSA regarding compliance with local and federal law, participate in team meetings as necessary, and work with various multi-disciplinary team members. Attorneys simultaneously maintain a trial caseload and post-adjudication caseload. The successful candidate must possess strong negotiation, litigation and analytical skills. A demonstrated commitment to work in the area of child welfare is preferred, but not required.
ELIGIBILITY: The candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction. If you are not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, you must be sworn into the District of Columbia Bar within 360 days of your initial appointment with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
HOW TO APPLY: Candidates should e-mail one PDF file which includes: 1) a cover letter (must include the vacancy number) specifically addressing relevant experience; 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.
OTHER INFORMATION: The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.
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