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. OAG enforces the District’s laws, works to protect and defend D.C. residents, and provides the highest level of independent legal advice and guidance to District of Columbia government agencies. This position is located in the Conciliation Unit of the Child Support Services Division.
The Child Support Services Division (CSSD) of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia is seeking a Trial Attorney for its Conciliation Unit. CSSD administers the District’s child support services program, which includes locating parents, establishing legal parentage, establishing support orders, enforcing legal support obligations, including medical support, and modifying support orders. The Division is also responsible for the State Disbursement Unit, which processes all child support payment collections and disbursements.
Duties And Responsibilities
Trial Attorney, LA-0905-12; Trial Attorney, LA-0905-13
Incumbent represents the District of Columbia in child support litigation, responsible primarily for facilitating the initial entry of parentage and support consent orders. With Conciliation Unit staff, incumbent is critical in achieving Federal and Mayoral performance measures regarding establishing parentage and support; and has an assigned caseload with performance goals that are aligned with CSSD’s mandated Federal performance measures. Incumbent reviews information presented along with relevant case law to determine whether a proceeding or filing should be initiated. Reviews for this purpose include interviewing parents, agency officials, and other potential witnesses as well as considering available documents and other sources of information. Incumbent is responsible for preparing complaints, motions, legal briefs/memoranda, and other written documents, as appropriate.
Prepares for and conducts litigation including the preparation of witnesses and exhibits; collection and organization of evidence; preparing for and conducting preliminary proceedings; identification, procurement, and preparation of expert services; examination of witnesses; oral arguments; and preparation of proposed orders. Negotiates resolution of cases and determines, with the approval of the supervisor, when continued proceedings are no longer in the best interest of the District of Columbia and prepares documentation and necessary court papers to implement negotiations.
Performs all functions related to case and calendar management, such as pretrial, motion and trial scheduling, preparation of case transfer or close-out reports, case file and District of Columbia Child Support Enforcement System (DCCSES) entry updating, documentation of action taken or orders issued, timely preparation and service of filings, timely issuance of subpoenas, and any other administrative function associated with litigation. Incumbent is responsible for keeping abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the function of programs and the recommendation of appropriate courses of action to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
Incumbent may have to confer with and incorporate the concerns of District Government officials; members of administrative bodies; and officials outside of the District Government, including officials from other jurisdictions in intergovernmental cases, regarding actions taken during paternity and child support cases. Compiles monthly statistical and status reports on cases assigned.
- Application must be completed in its entirety, along with a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample. If experiencing issues uploading attachments, please send the required documents to oagrecruitment@dc.gov. Failure to submit the required documentation may lead to non-consideration for the position. Additionally, please be sure to provide up-to-date references***
Qualifications And Education
Trial Attorney, LA-0905-12
Incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Associated (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment. A minimum of 1 year of specialized experience is required.
Trial Attorney, LA-0905-13
Incumbent must have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Associated (ABA) accredited law school at the time of appointment. A minimum of 3 years’ specialized experience is required.
Licenses And Certifications
The incumbent must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia during his/her employment in the Legal Service. If not currently a member of the District of the Columbia Bar, prior to their appointment, the successful candidate must send proof that his/her completed District of Columbia bar application has been submitted to the District of Columbia Bar.
Working Conditions/ Environment
Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Generally, work is sedentary, some walking, handling, and carrying of light to moderately heavy objects (such as case records, briefcases, and exhibits) is required.
Other Significant Factors
Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday 8:15 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.
Pay Plan, Series and Grade:LA-0905-12
Salary:The starting salary for this position is negotiable up to $100,847. depending on qualifications and availability of funds.
Pay Plan, Series and Grade:LA-0905-13
Salary:The starting salary for this position is negotiable up to $119,924. depending on qualifications and availability of funds.
Collective Bargaining Unit (Union):This position is under This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 2401.
Duration of Appointment:Legal Service – 13 Month Term
Position Designation: This position has been deemed Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, incumbents must successfully pass a criminal background and consumer credit check as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of their tenure.
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 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 
