Assistant Attorney General - Child Protection - Salt Lake

FT / PT Status – Full-Time Salary – $58.44 - $87.04 Hourly Wage Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site Recruiter – Hannah Maher | hannahmaher@agutah.gov | 801-366-0300 Application Deadline – 4/23/2026

Key Responsibilities

Assistant Attorney General - Child Protection

The Utah Office of the Attorney General, Child Protection Division, has an opening for an attorney to represent the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) in the Salt Lake office. This is an entry level position that entails handling a variety of general counsel duties, such as administrative hearings, substantiation hearings in juvenile court, subpoenas in district court proceedings, and records access requests (GRAMA).

This position may require some travel and occasional coverage of other juvenile court matters. Membership in the Utah State Bar in good standing is required. Applicants must possess excellent written and oral advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepares cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions.
• Determines discovery needs, and/or completes discovery; participates in decision making and strategy sessions in preparing cases for court and determining evidence to be used.
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
• Receives, researches and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Represents the state or the employing agency in lawsuits, grievances, negotiations, complaints and/or other matters.
• Drafts working documents; prepares documents consisting of concise decisions based upon facts of case interpretations of law and compliance with state and federal standards.
• Conducts conferences with opposing parties and/or attorneys, negotiates settlements, and prepares witnesses to testify in court.
• Represents agency at formal or informal hearings and/or trials.
• May be required to travel to various court locations and stay overnight.
  
  

Qualifications

(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

• agency and/or organizational program(s)
• communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
• read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
• speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
• legal processes and procedures
• applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or policies and procedures
• civil and criminal justice laws
• understand and apply case and statutory law
• evaluate information against a set of standards
• use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions
• laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history
• perform legal research using case law and appropriate techniques
• laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
• make a decision or solve a problem by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
• deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
• provide consultation and/or expert advice or testimony
• rules of evidence and civil and/or criminal procedure
• interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
• principles, theories, and practices of judicial or administrative law
  
  

Supplemental Information

• A Juris Doctorate is required.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc.
• A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Must be able to travel as required.
• Attorneys are hired at a salary consistent with their experience-level-peers in non-supervisory positions. For the purpose of starting salary calculation, experience level is based on initial Bar admittance year, less any years not practicing law.
• Annual salary ranges for each grade level are outlined below:
  
  

Grade Level Bar Year Approximate Salary

I 2023-2025 $121,500

II 2020-2022 $127,700

III 2016-2019 $134,300

IV 2006-2015 $140,900 - $147,900

IV 1996-2005 $147,900 - $161,000

IV 1995-Prior $161,000 - $175,000

About The Role

Location –

160 East 300 South

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111

United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required –

Schedule Code – AG - Employees at the Attorney General's Office

Why You Should Join Our Team

Benefits

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah , click here . Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.
  
  

EEO Statement The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.