Salary: $177,803.14 - $243,918.69 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Regular - Other
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-00759
Department: County Executive
Division: EXE-Administration
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Learn more about the Director of Assigned Counsel

Summary

Pierce County is looking for a dedicated Director of The Department of Assigned Counsel who has/is:

• Deep knowledge of Washington State Bar process, technical legal writing, and a comprehensive understanding of the County's indigent defense delivery system in compliance with all State and Federal laws regarding standards for Indigent Defense Services.
• Skilled in assigning and managing caseloads, leading teams, contracted legal services, budgeting, and responding to complex customer complaints through clear, transparent, and honest communication.
• Demonstrated experience drafting legal documents, representing complex legal cases, and navigating relationships with diverse community partners, including the courts, County officials, and attorney or investigative panel members and the ability to maintain strong working relationships with inter-agencies and key stakeholders in all aspects of legal service delivery.
• Devoted to ensuring all of Pierce County is eligible to receive professional and effective legal representation while efficiently utilizing public resources.

A complete classification can be found

Our strategic leader will focus on:

• Continuous improvement for themselves and their organizations
• Fostering a growth mindset and life-long learning
• Data-driven decision-making
• Consideration for customer perspectives and impacts
• Collaboration across large, diverse work environments
• Ensuring equity and inclusion in all facets of work
• Policy and guideline development; turning ideas into action
• Championing the streamlining processes to create positive change

Director of Assigned Counsel Highlights:

Mission and Vision: The DAC provides and administers a public defense system that ensures eligible individuals receive professional, effective legal representation while responsibly utilizing public resources.
Comprehensive Legal Services: The department oversees constitutionally mandated representation for eligible individuals in criminal, juvenile, dependency, termination, involuntary commitment, and other proceedings across Pierce County courts and partner jurisdictions.
Quality and Accountability: We administer a network of qualified private attorneys and legal service providers who meet Washington State indigent defense standards, ensuring effective representation through strong oversight and operational support.
Collaboration: The department partners with the courts, County leadership and the legal community to strengthen public defense services while promoting fairness, accountability, and public trust.

Find out more about our Department of Assigned Counsel
Minimum Qualifications

• Additional qualifying experience or completion of coursework at an accredited college or university in a job-related field, may substitute for the required experience or education.
• Graduate Degree Juris Doctorate
• Nine plus (9+) years of progressively responsible professional/managerial level experience directly related to the department.
• Licenses or Certifications Member in good standing with Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).
• A valid driver's license is required.

Supplemental Information

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program 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 Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
ORCA Passport Program
Pierce County employees may participate in the County's ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program.
Your Pierce County issued ORCA card is loaded with an annual Passport pass. The pass automatically renews every year. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.

Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.