Associate General Counsel

Associate General Counsel

Salary

$89,000.00 - $121,000.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Exempt

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-03910

Department

Office of the Governor

Division

Office of the Governor

Opening Date

05/15/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Please Note: This recruitment will remain open until filled with a first review of applicants the week of June 1, 2026. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible. The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the starting salary range of $89,000 - $121,000 annually. Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position that allows teleworking. However, you may need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events according to business needs.

Why work for the Office of the Governor?

As the Associate General Counsel with the Washington State Governor's Office, you'll have the opportunity to work closely with the Governor's Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Legal Counsel. This is a new position within the office that will assist with providing legal advice and strategic guidance to the Governor and Governor's Office staff on a broad range of complex issues. The work is fast-paced, intellectually engaging, and deeply connected to public service.

The job opportunity

We are looking for an attorney who brings strong legal research, writing, and communication skills, and a genuine commitment to serving Washingtonians.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work on meaningful, high-impact issues affecting communities across the state. This includes healthcare, immigration, public safety, infrastructure, and other emerging legal and policy matters facing the executive branch.

You'll also have the unique opportunity to research and analyze legal issues, provide written and verbal legal briefings, and guide litigation involving the Governor's Office and state agencies. This role also supports the Governor's judicial appointments process and clemency process, among other impactful bodies of work.

If you're motivated by a desire to serve the public and want your work to have a direct impact on people and communities across Washington, this is an opportunity to help shape policy and decision-making at the highest levels of state government.

Duties

What you'll work on:

• Research and advise on legal issues affecting the work of the Governor and the Governor's office, including: the Governor's powers and duties; proposed state legislation; state-federal relations; clemency; ethics; and public records.
• Provide written and in-person legal briefings to the Governor and Governor's Office staff.
• Monitor and guide litigation involving the Governor's Office and significant legal disputes involving cabinet agencies, and coordinate with legal counsel at the Attorney General's Office.
• Handle appeals of agency rulemaking decisions pursuant to RCW 34.05.330(3).
• Assist in evaluating candidates for judicial appointments.

Qualifications

What we need you to bring

Required Qualifications:

• Degree from an ABA-accredited law school or completion of the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program.
• Licensed to practice law in Washington.
• Strong legal research and writing skills and the ability to consistently produce high-quality work.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully handle competing, time-sensitive assignments.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and orally.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively as a member of a small, diverse team.
• A high level of motivation with the ability to work independently, be a team player, and seek opportunities for professional growth.
• The ability to learn and grow.
• The ability to meet the needs of others.

Desired Qualifications:

• Civil legal experience with litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
• Criminal legal experience.
• Experience advising government clients or working in state government.
• Judicial clerkship experience.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

Supplemental Information

What we offer:

We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here's a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you've decided to apply for a state government job, you'll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

When completing your application, please attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your interest in and qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education
• Legal writing sample: 10 pages or less, written and edited by you
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information

Questions:

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Please select all that apply from the list of requirements below. I have the following:

• Degree from an ABA-accredited law school or completion of the WSBA's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program.
• Licensed to practice law in Washington
• Strong legal research/writing skills and the ability to consistently produce high-quality work.
• None of these apply

02

Please select all that apply. I have the following experience:

• Civil legal experience with litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
• Criminal legal experience.
• Experience advising government clients or working in state government.
• Judicial clerkship experience.
• None of these apply

03

I have attached all required documents: Cover Letter, Resume, Legal Writing Sample, and References

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov