Job Summary

Located in the nation’s capital, The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the chief legal office of the District of Columbia. The OAG enforces the laws of the District, defends, and provides legal advice to the District’s government agencies and protects the interests of the District’s residents. This position is located in the Family Services Division within the Child Protection Section.

The Family Services Division works on behalf of the District’s most vulnerable citizens—abused and neglected children. The Division has five Child Protection Sections. The attorneys in these sections handle all child abuse and neglect litigation on behalf of the District’s Child and Family Services Agency, from the initiation of a case through finding a child a permanent placement. Division attorneys also advise Child and Family Services social workers and staff members on compliance with local and federal law.

Duties And Responsibilities

This position is located in the Family Services Division, Child Protection Sections, Office of the Attorney General (OAG). The incumbent serves as a manager over legal support and administrative management functions for the Child Protection Sections, I - V.

Incumbent’s Duties Include

Provides direct supervision of all support staff which includes paralegals, program support assistants, and executive assistant.
Oversees legal support by managing work assignments and ensuring that paralegals and legal assistants are knowledgeable about litigation prep such as discovery, issuing subpoenas and summonses, redacting documents, managing exhibits, and supporting documents.
Oversees the administrative support for daily intake of cases, coordinating interviews and preparing interview packets for attorney applicants, ordering and issuing of supplies, preparing purchase orders, copying and distributing training binders and other training materials to attorneys and support staff, seeking repair of equipment such as computers, telephones and copying machines, and reserving conference rooms.
Supervises the timekeeper who prepares the time and attendance for the employees in the Family Services Division.
Organizes and maintains statistical information about cases.
Ensures appropriate coordination with the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA, the Section’s client agency), which provides office space to the Sections.
Works closely with the CFSA’s facilities office regarding issues such as: office furniture, building management, copy machines and paper, keys, moving equipment and parking.
Makes recommendations and implements programs, systems, and management innovations to facilitate and improve the Family Services Division operations.
Provides guidance and assistance as required to the Deputy and Assistant Deputy of the Family Services Division and the Section Chiefs of the Child Protection Sections.
Assists with the development and dissemination of technical, policy, and procedural manuals and guidelines and systems for the Family Services Division staff.
Responsible for developing and implementing new methods, techniques, systems, and procedures to improve support and administrative management activities and operations within the Division.
Develops specific plans and objectives for legal support functions needed based on changes in caseload and program emphasis. Ensures all plans are consistent with overall program planning, goals, and objectives and budget and staffing limitations.
Conducts comprehensive evaluations of the legal and administrative support staff making modifications as needed, with the input of the five Section Chiefs, Assistant Deputy and Division Deputy, and as required by Personnel regulations.
Advises the Deputy and Assistant Deputy of the Family Services Division and Section Chiefs on administrative and management issues.
Provides data support to the management team which can include responding to data inquiries from OAG as well as CFSA and other government agencies.
Ensures that all administrative operating policies and procedures are in compliance with the D.C. Office of Personnel and the OAG Office of Management and Operations.
Assists in the development of new computer tracking systems for the sections and the enhancement of problem resolutions of the existing systems with the Office of Management and Operations, as well as the Training Section and various committees.

QUALIFICATIONS:Candidates must have at least three (3) years of Specialized Experience. Specialized Experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, at least one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. A JD is preferred, but not required. Experience running an office of similar size and responsibility is required.

TIME-IN-GRADE- RESTRICTIONS:Time in grade restrictions must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS:All applicants MUST submit a copy of a cover letter, resume. An applicant should save both documents together and upload in E-recruit as one document so we receive a cover letter, resume.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL ATTACHMENTS AND WILL ELIMINATE YOU FROM CONSIDERATION.

SUBMISSION OF PRESCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE

All questions will be used in the evaluation process. All applicants MUST respond to the questions by submitting responses in the relevant area provided on the application questionnaire. Please describe specific achievements, experience, education, training, etc. that demonstrate the degree to which you possess the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. The information given in response should be complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO ALL QUESTIONS WILL ELIMINATE YOU FROM CONSIDERATION.

Other Significant Factors;

Pay Plan, Series and Grade:MSS-301-14

Salary: The salary amount is based on available funding for this position

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT:MSS – Regular Appointment

Duration of Appointment:Management Supervisory Service (MSS): At-will employment applies to the MSS. All positions and appointments in the MSS serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT:This position is not in the collective bargaining unit

REMOTE WORK STATUS:A hybrid remote telework/in-office schedule option is available.

Other Significant Facts

GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING:The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation including reference checks.

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 the 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.

RESIDENCY PREFERENCE:A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Education Service, Management Supervisory Service, an attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905) other than in the Senior Executive Attorney Service (SEAS), or an attorney in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District residents’ applications, unless the person declines the preference points.  If selected, the person shall be required to present proofs of bona fide District residency and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment.  Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of 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 the 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, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, physical disability, matriculation, genetic information, credit information, or status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking.

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 that 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