Administrative Operations Manager - Agriculture & Health - Olympia, WA - Attorney General's Office

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Position and Salary
The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full-time Administrative Operations Manager (WMS Band 1) for our Agriculture and Health Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington and is not union-represented.

• This position is set as a Band 1 in the Washington Management Services structure.
• The salary range for this position is $88,800 - $106,543/annually.
• This position offers a growth and development salary range up to $109,740. The growth and development salary range is not available at the time of initial hire.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.  

Excellent Benefits
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more.
     
With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer flexible schedules and telework options for most positions, a Wellness Program, the Employee Assistance Program, and numerous affinity groups to foster community and connection.


Position Description 
The Administrative Operations Manager (AOM) manages all administrative functions of the Agriculture and Health Division, in partnership with the Division Chief and all members of the Management Team. This includes managing hiring processes, working with the Division Chief to develop and monitor the division’s budget, managing the division’s equipment, supply, and workspace needs in coordination with ISD and building management, working with division management on division-wide policies, and numerous other key operational tasks.  

This position also provides general oversight of the division’s legal support functions as supervisor of the Paralegal 2 who leads the team of Paralegal 1s directly supporting our attorneys and supervisor of the division’s Legal Assistant 1. This work includes helping onboard and train staff and ensure their professional development, provide mentorship, develop and update policies and procedures, and related tasks.


What does it take to be a successful AOM? 
The AOM position is best suited for someone who takes the initiative to get things done, is a creative problem solver, and likes working as part of a team. A successful AOM is someone who advocates for the division within the AGO, effectively troubleshoots unexpected challenges, has sound judgment and high emotional intelligence, and brings a positive, can-do energy to the role.

The AOM must also have sincere desire and ability to effectively manage a team. The position requires someone who is consistently present with others, listens empathetically, and is committed to the staff’s success. They know how to bring out the best in others and flourish in an environment where they’re comfortable running meetings, influencing and recommending policy, and rolling up their sleeves and getting things done every day.


About the Agriculture and Health Division
The Agriculture and Health Division is a team of 16 Assistant Attorneys General and 9 professional staff located at the AGO’s main Capitol Campus location in Olympia, WA. We have a wide range of backgrounds, value diversity, and work in a collegial, collaborative, and flexible environment.

Our work touches most aspects of Washingtonians’ lives by helping to protect and promote public health and our state’s economic, cultural, and environmental resources. Our primary client agencies are the Department of Health, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and we advise numerous related boards and commissions. We provide client advice and litigate cases in a wide array of areas with real world impacts, including environmental and public health; licensing and oversight of health care providers and facilities; disease prevention and control; affordable housing and housing development; homelessness prevention and response; broadband expansion; renewable energy, climate change, and environmental justice; community and economic development; historic and archaeological resource preservation; and animal, commodity, food, and plant safety.


About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General
Join an agency whose work impacts the lives of every resident of Washington State.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes) And much more!
• Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here.  

Required Qualifications 
A combination of six years of experience through:

• Paralegal certification
• Two-year paralegal degree

and/or

• Paraprofessional experience in support of an attorney, including at least two years of supervision experience in a legal setting.

Ideal Candidate Profile, Skills, & Abilities 
The ideal candidate will be empathetic and professional. They will have prior experience managing legal personnel and projects effectively. They will be comfortable with complex work and have the ability and eye for detail to review, make, and implement office policies and procedures. They will have outstanding people skills to build professional relationships inside and outside of the division. They will be a nimble team player and true leader who knows how to collaborate with division managers and work with and develop staff based on individual needs in order to keep the division running as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• Paralegal practices, policies, and procedures
• Management principles and practices, including training and supervision
• Litigation techniques and support

Demonstrated ability to:

• Develop and implement long and short-range plans
• Develop internal operating procedures
• Organize, prioritize, and manage many projects, resources, and diversified work groups
• Empower employees to contribute their knowledge, creativity, and expertise to further the Division’s mission of providing excellent, ethical, and professional legal services
• Build and support a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
• Respond to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations with professionalism and appropriate empathy and accountability 

Typical successful backgrounds for this position include:

• Law office management
• State agency office management
• Higher education office management
• Administrative professional who has worked up the ranks to office management in a professional environment

Application Instructions
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position; and
• A current resume detailing experience and education.

Read the following information completely:

• You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the "work experience" and "education" sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
• Please be sure to remove private information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, etc. 
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.
• The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov. 

Commitment to Diversity
Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO and we are committed to building an anti-racist and equitable agency. It is our goal to identify, discuss, and challenge racial inequity in the workplace and the impact it has on our employees, and, within our authority, combat racism that impacts the people of the State of Washington. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in a professional, inclusive, respectful environment.
     
Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2025 "Zo8 Washington Wellness Award".


Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests
Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO. The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the Talent Acquisition Team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com. 
   
For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.  If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at 855-524-5627 or support@neogov.com.