The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is seeking a trial attorney for the Family Services Division, Child Protection Section to represent the Child and Family Services Agency (“CFSA”) in child abuse and neglect matters before the Family Court, assist with the development and implementation of a specialized neglect court focusing on the commercial sexual exploitation of children (“CSEC”) and serve as the Division’s subject-matter expert. The attorney’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Development of protocols pertaining to CSEC cases;
  
• Assist with drafting a memorandum of understanding between stakeholders, including D.C. Superior Court, Department of Behavioral Health, and Child and Family Services Agency;
  
• Attend court staffings, court hearings, and all meetings related to the CSEC specialty court;
  
• Attend MDT case review regarding children with identified CSEC concerns;
  
• Advise CFSA and OAG regarding compliance with federal and local human trafficking legislation and participate in the DC City Council process as needed;
  
• Contribute to OAG’s efforts to educate the public and community-based organizations about CSEC-related issues; develop written materials and curriculum for such purposes;
  
• Conduct periodic trainings for CFSA and OAG staff;
  
• Represent FSD on the D.C. Human Trafficking Taskforce and all CFSA CSEC committees;
  
• Work collaboratively with OAG’s Public Safety Division to identify crossover issues impacting all children served by CFSA;
  
• Represent CFSA at juvenile court hearing as needed;
  
• Handle all aspects of neglect litigation, from petitioning through the achievement of permanency; and
  
• Provide advice and counsel to social workers and other CFSA professionals regarding compliance with local and federal law.
  

QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate should have the following qualifications:

• Significant litigation experience (5-10 years preferred);
  
• Substantial knowledge of family law including child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, and adoption;
  
• Exceptional legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
  
• Experience conducting training or public outreach;
  
• A demonstrated commitment to work in child welfare; and
  
• Experience with specialty courts and an understanding of CSEC issues (strongly preferred).
  

ELIGIBILITY: The candidate must have a law degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar of any jurisdiction at the time of application. 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