DSHS OOS Chief Review Judge
Salary $106,344.00 – $128,688.00 Annually
Location Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job TypeFull Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Job Number: 2023-01817
Description
DSHS recognizes the necessity to build a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within legal processes. This career opportunity provides just that for the impassioned justice and civil rights litigator who works to decide cases fairly and equitably.
We’re hiring a Chief Review Judge to join our Office of Justice and Civil Rights within the Office of the Secretary (OOS). The OJCR ensures fair, thorough, and expeditious investigations of Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights complaints from staff and clients in strict compliance with regulations and state and federal laws.
Reporting to the Senior Director, you will exercise authority that requires the consistent use of independent judgment guided by a commitment to the Mission of the Department of Social and Health Services and the goals established by the Senior Director.
Using a lens of pro-equity and the value of belonging, you will manage, oversee, monitor, coordinate, and direct the department’s statewide program for administrative hearings and appeals of department rulings. You’ll also have the opportunity to steer a compliant culture using historical case data.
You will supervise and guide a dedicated, hard-working team of 7, including two Review Judges who assess a small caseload of legal judgments of the Administrative Law Judges made in administrative hearings. You’ll have broad authority delegated by the DSHS Secretary and direct the department’s program and policies for administrative hearings, appeals of agency rulings, and coordination of agency rules and policies.
A hybrid telework schedule is available for this role. This job is based in the South Sound, although other locations within the state of Washington may be considered.
Some of what you’ll do:
- Direct the department’s statewide program for hearing appeals of legal decisions in collaboration with program staff; review and issue final orders after appeals of rulings by the Office of Administrative Hearings Administrative Law Judges
- Establish and grow relationships within DSHS in regard to justice and civil rights
- Direct the work of review judges/attorneys who review and issue final orders following the appeal of social service eligibility rulings made by Administrative Law Judges, apply laws and rules, reach legal conclusions, and issue legally binding final orders
- Maintain Quality Improvement processes that include a review of hearing determinations made by the department Review Judges that examine whether there are any errors in fact-finding, instructions to the parties, rulings on the admissibility of evidence, the application or interpretation of the law, and any other elements which could result in an improper resolution of issues
- Draft findings of fact, conclusions of law, and clear and concise orders; act as a hearing judge on occasion
- Develop and administer the department’s contract with the Office of Administrative Hearings
- Set strategic goals for handling appeals of legal judgments
- Manage the Board of Appeals and the Rules and Policy Assistance Unit in accordance with the Agency’s strategic goals, and state and federal law
- Develop processes and collaboration opportunities to improve access to justice for department clients
- Oversee the rule-making process and provide expert advice on agency laws, rules, executive orders, directives, and policies
- Direct the work of staff who review and correct the work of rule and policy writers, ensuring compliance with RCW, WAC, and agency policies; ensure Review Judges conduct a thorough review of any proposed rules while working to improve this process
- Review and scrutinize proposed legislation that impacts DSHS, draft new legislation, standards, and policies, as well as recommend department actions; provide expertise regarding justice issues as they relate to DSHS clients
Who should apply:
- Law degree and active or judicial membership in the Washington State Bar Association
- Four years of experience as a hearing examiner in a governmental agency, or as a member of an administrative tribunal empowered to issue findings of fact and conclusions of law, or trial practice in private or public employment
- One year of the above experience in the field of law related to cases heard by DSHS is preferred
- Legal experience in litigation and/or appeals, writing opinions based on legal briefs
- Supervision or management of staff work experience
- Use of Microsoft Office and Lexis
Preferred knowledge of: Administrative, procedural, substantive, and common law; rules of evidence; specific bodies of law applicable to administrative hearings, including Federal and State statutes, court rulings, and regulations; departmental policies relevant to the contested case and rule-making hearing processes; public disclosure law; legislative processes, and organization of state government
To apply—Complete our application and attach your resume, cover letter, and writing samples that will present your ability to write legal opinions and/or build and evaluate legal arguments.
Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
If you have questions about job number 01817 contact Tracie Kidd at 360-628-7870 or via email at tracie.kidd@nulldshs.wa.gov
Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made. Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.