The Alaska Department of Law offers extensive opportunities for legal practice in criminal law and the unique opportunity provided under Alaska law for unlicensed attorneys working for the Department to have temporary bar privileges for up to 10 months before obtaining formal admission to the Alaska Bar (AS 08.08.210(d)).
With offices in Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer, Sitka and Utqiaġvik, interested applicants can choose from between spending time in the city or exploring pristine wilderness throughout the state. Our vast landscape provides ample opportunities for our attorneys to meaningfully fill their lives in addition to their careers with world class outdoor adventures such as hiking, skiing, fishing, boating, snow machining, kayaking, and hunting.
In addition to traditional criminal prosecution, some of the Criminal Division's attorneys provide advice to the Departments of Corrections and Public Safety, help maintain the State's therapeutic courts, train other prosecutors, and more.
I work for Department of Law because I want to protect our most vulnerable communities particularly when it comes to domestic violence and sexual assault and abuse cases in an environment where my only obligation is to come into work and do the right thing every day. As someone who has experienced the transition from victim to survivor I want to work with others to obtain justice and hold offenders accountable while simultaneously supporting these survivors through the process. Bailey Woolfstead, Assistant Attorney General
Open Positions
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited law school.
- Licensed to practice law in the state of Alaska now or within 12 months of appointment.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage competing deadlines at once.
- Excellent judgment and strong client relation skills.
- Superior analytical skills and writing ability and willingness to draft, edit, and testify on legislation.
Prior professional or legal experience, including a clerkship with the state or federal courts, is preferred but not required.
Benefits & Compensation
State Benefits Package
- Health benefits (including dental and vision), life insurance and voluntary supplemental benefits
- Generous leave accrual
- 12 paid holidays
- A variety of retirement plans
- Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
- 37.5-hour workweek
- Eligibility for part-time teleworking, alternate workweek, or a flex schedule after an initial training period.
Estimated Compensation
The table below gives an estimate of compensation based on a combination of judicial clerking and licensed legal experience. The compensation listed in the table represents the base pay. Several locations around Alaska have geographical pay differences. Upon a job offer, you would receive a firm salary quote based on location of position and qualifying experience. Attorneys are eligible to promote from Attorney 1 through 4 with service and acceptable job performance.
Attorney level | Experience level | Pay range and step | Base pay* |
---|---|---|---|
Attorney 1 | Unlicensed attorney | 18 D or E | $87,282-$90,012 |
Attorney 2 | Less than two years of licensed experience | 20 C or D | $96,349.50-$99,840 |
Attorney 3 | More than 2 but less than 4 years of licensed experience | 22 B or C | $106,684.50-$109,960.50 |
Attorney 4 | More than 4 years | 24 B through F | $121,836-$139,542 |
*Summary of Geographical Pay Rate Differences.
Location | Base pay + geographical difference |
---|---|
Anchorage, Kenai, Palmer, Ketchikan | Base pay / no geo dif |
Fairbanks | Base pay + 3% |
Juneau, Sitka | Base pay + 5% |
Kodiak | Base pay + 11% |
Nome, Dillingham | Base pay + 37% |
Bethel, Utqiagvik | Base pay + 50% |
Kotzebue | Base pay + 60% |
Application Instructions
Candidates must submit:
- A resume that includes a complete history of education and professional work experience.
- At least three professional employment references.
- A professional writing sample.
- A cover letter which includes the position of interest.
Preferably applications may be submitted electronically to:
CriminalLawRecruit@alaska.gov
or via hard copy to:
Department of Law
Criminal Division Central Office
P.O. Box 110300
Juneau, AK 99811-0300
The Department of Law is an equal opportunity employer and complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodation to apply may contact the Relay Alaska at (800) 770-8973 or Criminal Division Central Office at (907) 465-3600.
All interested and qualified applicants will be considered, but not every applicant will be interviewed. A preference will be given to applicants with the ability to fluently speak another language that is commonly used in the geographic locations related to this position.