Assistant Attorney General

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Criminal Division / Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Section is seeking an Assistant Attorney General. This position will investigate and prosecute various types of AHCCCS fraud cases including, but not limited to, involving the falsification of medical records and the filing of false or inflated Medicaid billing claims; thefts and embezzlements from AHCCCS clients and health care institutions; the illegal diversion of prescription drugs by health care providers; and the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of residents being cared for in AHCCCS-funded facilities.

Due to the nature of the crimes, this position will have access to highly confidential matters such as attorney-client communications and health records protected by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA). This position qualifies for an exemption under A.R.S. 41-771 (B) (3) because it will provide legal counsel. This position will also pursue matters both administratively and through the courts through civil litigation.

The Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Section receives an annual federal grant to cover 75% of expenditures. The State of Arizona’s portion is 25%.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department’s business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. This position may be eligible for Remote Work two days a week.

Job Duties:
Pre-Indictment. Advises and consults with LEO on case development and strategies. Reviews police reports, bank records, interviews and any other investigative material relevant to case. Issues GJ subpoenas and reviews scope of requests. Reviews investigative affidavits and orders. Meets with victims and/or witnesses. Evaluates sufficiency of evidence to sustain charges with substantial likelihood of conviction.

Indictment. Determines criminal charges. Composes evidence summary for indictment charges and prepares supporting exhibits. Drafts bond recommendations based on criminal history and applicable statutory factors. Reviews GJ procedure with LEA witness and prepares for testimony. Reviews any material submitted by defense counsel for exculpation or mitigation, if submitted. Presents criminal cases to GJ for consideration. Appears for returns/IAs.

Litigation. Appears in court on all criminal matters, including regular calendar, evidentiary hearings, and trials. Prepares motions/pleadings. Conducts pretrial discovery and Interviews witnesses. Conducts plea negotiations. Prepares cases for trial. Discusses trial strategies with agents, coworkers, supervisors, and victims. Prepares sentencing memoranda. Responds to post-conviction relief petitions and petitions for review.

Research: Identifies applicable statutory allegations and/or enhancers. Researches state/federal criminal and constitutional law. Interprets statutes and applicable law.

Miscellaneous responsibilities. Prepares or responds to special actions. Responds to post-conviction motions for restoration of rights and petitions on entry of records. Conducts law enforcement trainings. Attends meetings and travels for mandated training of Medicaid Control Units, usually out-of-state. Assists Section Chief with various tasks.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Must possess high degree of knowledge of experience with Arizona criminal law and procedures and court practices in Arizona.
Substantial knowledge of criminal investigations, interview techniques, pretrial litigation and trial practice.
Substantial experience in investigating and prosecuting criminal cases.
Jurisprudence and of the formats utilized in the preparation of legal documents.
Additionally, must possess knowledge of the practical factors that impact investigative and litigation decision and goals, including target and defendant responses, opposing counsel strategies and judicial perspectives and victim/ witness considerations; experience with negotiations; knowledge of financial considerations for the state of defendants.

Skills in directing and managing complex investigations.
Skill in analyzing difficult and complex legal problems.
Skills in negotiation.
Skills in criminal trial practice.
Skills in effective oral and written communication.
Skills in interaction with internal personnel and external contacts including law enforcement, victims, witnesses, judges, court personnel, citizen audiences and governmental agencies.
Skills in interpreting statutes, reported cases and legal documents.
Excellent skills in legal research and writing.
Skilled in interpersonal relationships.
Computer skills.
Skills relating to personnel management and inspiration.

Ability to provide supervision and direction.
Ability to coordinate activities with a variety of law enforcement agencies, governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Ability to work closely with law enforcement personnel as well as witnesses.
Ability to exercise reasoned judgment in high-pressure, time-sensitive working environment.
Ability to be analytical.
Ability to be creative.
Ability to adapt to case developments and to make necessary and appropriate adjustments in strategies.
Ability to prioritize and to manage multiple complex tasks.
Ability to be dependable and well-organized.
Ability to advise law enforcement on constitutional requirements in conducting criminal investigations.
Ability to effectively communicate with law enforcement, judges, opposing counsel, victims, and witnesses.
Ability to form and maintain collaborative working relationships with all level of staff and supervisors/AGO leadership.
Ability to be patient, including with co-workers, staff, victims, law enforcement, courts and community partners.
Ability to represent the Attorney General in cooperative efforts with law enforcement agencies and community partners.
Ability to interact with outside entities with diplomacy and tact.
The ability to effectively work with law enforcement agencies and treat personnel respectfully in and out of the Section.
Ability to conduct legal research (particularly Westlaw).
Ability to use various types of computers, software and equipment.

Selective Preference(s):
Minimum of five years experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:
• Travel is required for this position. A valid Arizona Driver’s License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.
• Admission to, and good standing with, the Arizona State Bar is required (include on resume the date(s) of admission in Arizona and any other states). Candidate must have an active Arizona State Bar license.
• Attorney applicants are required to submit a writing sample with their resume/application profile. The writing sample should contain an analysis of some substantive legal issue and provide insight concerning your ability to think and to explain and advocate for a particular position.
• All applicants under serious consideration for hire with the Attorney General’s Office are required to be fingerprinted by the Office and complete a criminal background check through State and Federal agencies. A job offer cannot be tendered until the candidate has successfully passed the initial background check. Your record does not automatically constitute a bar to employment. Factors such as, but not limited to, age at time of offense and age of offense, as well as the relationship between the offense and the job for which you apply will be taken into account.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:
The Attorney General’s Office offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Student Loan Assistance
Sick leave
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:
• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at (602) 542-8056 or email us at humanresources@azag.gov.

During all phases of the selection process, people with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the AG’s Human Resources Office at (602) 542-8056 or via e-mail at HumanResources@azag.gov. The Arizona Office of the Attorney General does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age in its programs, activities or in its hiring and employment practices. The following division has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Operations Division, 2005 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004, Phone: (602) 542-8056, Fax: (602) 542-8000.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
Arizona Attorney General’s Office