The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is seeking experienced candidates for the position of Director for our Office of Consumer Protection within the Public Advocacy Division. Eligible candidates must have a law degree and be admitted to a bar of any jurisdiction with the eligibility to waive into the DC bar at the time of application. Ideal candidates we are seeking for this position must have substantive knowledge of relevant laws, policies and practices relating to consumer protection, prior litigation experience, and strong writing and research skills.
ANNOUNCEMENT NO: #18-022 POSITION TITLE:
SUPERVISORY ATTORNEY ADVISOR
(Director of Consumer Protection)
POSITION GRADE & SERIES: LX-2 SALARY RANGE: $130,000 – $145,000
Salary in this range will be based on a multitude of factors including applicable rules, regulations and guidelines.
OPENING DATE: March 27, 2018 CLOSING DATE: April 17, 2018
DURATION OF APPOINTMENT: Permanent
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to the Public
WORKSITE LOCATION:
Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Public Advocacy Division
Office of Consumer Protection
441 4th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
NO. OF VACANCIES: One (1)
This position is outside of the collective bargaining unit.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) seeks a Director of the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP). OCP resides in the Public Advocacy Division (PAD) of OAG; the Director reports to the Deputy Attorney General for PAD and works closely with the Attorney General and Chief Deputy. The Director is the lead lawyer responsible for planning, directing, and managing OCP. OCP enforces the District's consumer protection laws and mediates disputes between consumers and businesses. It investigates businesses that are taking advantage of consumers and can bring lawsuits to stop unlawful practices, obtain restitution for consumers who have been harmed, and the payment of penalties and costs to the District. OCP also drafts and supports legislation that protects consumers, and educates consumers through outreach events, an up-to-date online Consumer Resources library, and the distribution of consumer protection guides.
The Director leads the litigation and other programming of OCP, manages its attorneys and staff, and serves as a leader in OAG. Duties include:
Establishing priorities, policies and procedures for OCP;
Directly supervising all lawyers and administrative staff in the Office, including overseeing all phases of litigation and other program work, providing training and professional development opportunities, evaluating performance, and managing personnel-related issues;
Managing complex litigation, including local and national civil enforcement of cases, prosecutions, negotiations and litigation;
Leading and participating in large, multistate investigations and litigation of relevance to the District;
Overseeing a program to intake, evaluate, and potentially investigate consumer complaints;
Engaging the public on consumer education through town hall meetings, media, and outreach materials, and reaching out to community and legal services groups to amplify OAG’s work;
Developing legislative proposals to strengthen existing District of Columbia consumer protection laws;
Advising the Attorney General, Chief Deputy, and other senior government officials on legal and policy issues related to consumers; and
Representing the Attorney General in meetings with high government officials, including members of the D.C. Council and their staff.
QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate must have substantive knowledge of relevant laws, policies and practices relating to consumer protection, prior litigation experience, and strong writing and research skills. The candidate must also have strong management and organization skills, and possess the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain working relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including law enforcement, legislators, state and federal agencies and agency staff.
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