Assistant Attorney General - Criminal Division

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Assistant Attorney General      

Criminal Division

Opening Date:  November 10, 2026

Closing Date:  November 25, 2026     

Job Class Code:  0186

Grade:  1 

Salary:  $75,067.20 - $145,371.20/year* (Salary competitive and based upon qualifications)*

*Pursuant to 5 M.R.S. § 196 the salary for this position has been set by the Office of the Attorney General

Position # 006000620 

Job Description:

The Office of the Attorney General has an opening for an Assistant Attorney General within the Criminal Division. The position will be located in Portland.  This AAG position is a member of the Attorney General’s Drug Task Force who manages and prosecutes a caseload of drug-related offenses centered in Cumberland County.  The management of this caseload involves providing proactive direction/oversight to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA), as well as county and municipal law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction that are engaged in the investigation of drug-related offenses. This includes the need to provide legal advice on 4th, 5th and 6th Amendment issues, review and/or draft affidavits in support of arrest and search warrants; issue subpoenas or other court processes to further criminal investigations; participate in proffer interviews of confidential informants and/or cooperating defendants; assist law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of overdose death cases; draft appellate briefs and conduct oral argument before the Law Court; as well as manage a trial schedule that requires pre-trial motions, trials, and post judgement motions. Three years of criminal law experience is preferred.

Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine

Minimum Qualifications:

This is not an entry level position. Applicants must be members of the Maine Bar in good standing, have a demonstrated ability to function effectively as part of a team, an ability to work with complex criminal investigations, have a willingness to engage in frequent litigation, and have strong legal advocacy, research, and writing skills. High ethical standards, sound judgment, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and good organizational and time management skills are essential. Three years of criminal law experience is preferred.

Application Instructions

If you are interested in applying for this position, please prepare a cover letter highlighting your experience and qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the position based on the knowledge, skills and abilities required.

Include resume, writing sample, three references (to include one work-related reference), complete online application and a copy of your bar card from the Maine Board of Overseers showing Active Status.

The Office is not responsible for late receipt of applications due to mail service, faxing malfunctions or electronic transmission malfunctions.

Job offer to new hire is conditional upon verification of credentials, criminal records, driver’s license check, and professional license requirements if applicable.

Please direct all questions to Assistant Attorney General  John Risler via email or by calling 626-8559.

BENEFITS

Maine state employees embody our state motto — "Dirigo" or "I lead" — as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including: 

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service. Overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 13.29% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Income Driven Repayment Plans – Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans including the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan are available for employees and can be used in conjunction with the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• John R. Justice (JRJ) Formula Grant Program- The State of Maine is a recipient of the JRJ Grant Program that provides partial loan repayment directly to the employee’s loan service provider.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave – One of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additionally, unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

Maine State Government and the Office of the Attorney General are Equal Opportunity employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.