Senior Administrative Law Judge

Description

NOTE: This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, as there are some in-person supervisory and hearing responsibilities required.

NOTE: This position is open to current OAH employees only. External candidates will not be considered

NOTE: This position is expected to be a 12-month appointment

NOTE: Interviews for this position will take place on April 22, 2025

The Opportunity:
The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is seeking a temporary Senior Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to lead a team of ALJs in our Public Assistance & Health Division. This position will report to either the Olympia, Tacoma or Spokane OAH facility and is eligible for part-time telework, as there are some in-person supervisory responsibilities. If teleworking, the alternate worksite must be in Washington state.

The position of Senior Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) critical to the successful completion of the OAH mission. A Senior ALJ contributes to the mission by supervising a team of Pro Tem, Line, and Lead ALJs. This primarily includes training and coaching direct reports, assigning resources and mentors to ALJs, and overseeing work assignments, schedules and leave requests. The Senior ALJ monitors and prioritizes their own workload, and the cases assigned to direct reports in support of the agency’s mission and goals. Assists the Division Chief ALJ (DIVC) in overseeing a caseload, communicating with stakeholders and employees, and filling in for the DIVC in their absence, as assigned. The Senior ALJ also completes pre-hearing work, conducts hearings that are fair in appearance and substance, and issues well-reasoned decisions within the agency’s timeliness standards.

This position oversees a team of ALJs holding hearings for the following caseloads:

Division of Child Support (DCS)
The Division of Child Support (DCS) is a program within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). An ALJ holds a hearing to establish child support or modify an existing administrative child support order.  These are typically telephonic hearings with minimal travel required. A Claims Officer/Attorney represents DCS. The non-custodial or custodial parent files a request for hearing that DCS forwards to OAH. OAH issues a final order that is due within 21 days of the close of record for all case types but OAH issues an initial order in an Address Disclosure case.

Division of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
DCYF is a cabinet-level agency focused on the well-being of children and supporting families. ALJs hold hearings on licensing and issues affecting children (i.e. foster care, daycare, childcare assistance, child protective services, etc). The ALJ will issue an initial order except in vendor overpayments and juvenile cases where the order is final.  DCYF is represented by an Assistant Attorney General and appellants are often represented by counsel. Typically orders are due within 60 days from the close of record except adoption support orders and vendor overpayment orders are due 16 days from the close of record, background check and childcare assistance cases are due within 55 days from the close of record and in a juvenile parole revocation the ALJ must rule orally on the record and issue a written decision within 48 hours. These hearings are typically telephonic but parties may request an in-person hearing so some travel is required.

Health Care Authority (HCA)
The HCA is a state agency with overall responsibility for providing medical coverage and services. The HCA determines eligibility for health care coverage, long-term care, and in-home care services, which are funded, in part, through Medicaid. An ALJ holds hearings to determine an appellant’s financial and functional eligibility for coverage and services, participation rates for long-term care, and the amount of in-home care hours. The Department is represented by an administrative hearing specialist through the Department of Social and Health Services or other contracting agency, while appellants are self-represented or represented by a family member most often. Hearings may be telephonic or in-person and may be 30 minutes to three hours long. Some travel may be involved. HCA orders are initial decisions and are expected to be issued within 18 days of the close of record.

Licensing (LIC)
Licensing is a program within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). ALJs hold a prehearing conference and hearing regarding vulnerable individuals in adult family homes and/or residential homes with issues relating to abuse and neglect by the individual provider or the facility. The alleged individual and/or facility files the request for appeal with OAH. The Department is represented by a Legal Benefits Attorney/Adviser and the Appellants are often represented by counsel.  An initial order is issued within 60 days of the close of record except for the resident and client protection program where the initial order is due within 120 days of the request for hearing. A final order is issued in an assisted living facility license case within 60 days of the close of record. These hearings are typically telephonic but parties may request an in-person hearing so some travel is required

Public Assistance (PA)
The Public Assistance (PA) caseload is administered by the Economic Services Administration (ESA) of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Nearly one out of every four Washington residents turns to the DSHS ESA for assistance with cash, food, child support, disability determination, transition to employment, and other services known as “benefits” programs. ALJs hold hearings to make determinations including but not limited to: general eligibility, overpayments, and the correctness of departmental actions such as reduction, suspension, or termination of benefits. In PA cases, the department is represented by administrative hearings specialists. Hearings are scheduled for a duration of 30 minutes or more depending on the case type, involvement of interpreter services, and the complexity of the subject matter. There are a wide variety of PA programs; thus, PA decisions can be either initial or final orders (depending on the applicable regulations). ALJs are required to issue PA decisions as soon as possible but no later than 16, 21, or 60 days of the close of record, unless an earlier decision is required by regulation.

About the Agency:
The 1981 Legislature created the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) to offer Washingtonians an independent, fair, and neutral forum to hold administrative hearings on disputed matters referred by state and local government agencies. Operating out of field offices in Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, and Spokane Valley there are currently 230 employees, including 120 administrative law judges who preside over administrative hearings involving unemployment insurance benefits, child support, food assistance, medical benefits, business and professional licensing, and more.

OAH conducts hearings for more than 30 agencies and 160 programs. Our referring agencies include the Employment Security Department (ESD), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Health Care Authority (HCA), Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and others.

For more information about OAH, please visit our website at oah.wa.gov.

OAH Mission: To hear and independently resolve disputes between the public and state agencies with an impartial, quick, and easy to access process.

OAH Vision: All people of Washington can meaningfully participate in their hearing and understand the result.

OAH Values:
•Fairness and independence
•Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect
•Performance excellence
•Integrity

OAH Goals:
•Performance Excellence: We deliver high quality, timely work.
•Convenience & Accessibility: We make it easy for people to do business with us.
•Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect: We promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect.
•Good Stewards: We are efficient, effective, and accountable.

OAH Offers:
•Work that is important and makes a difference.
•In-house training and professional development opportunities.
•Healthy work/life balance, including remote work options.
•Comprehensive benefits package.

Duties

•For assigned ALJs, use established performance management policies and best practices to effectively:

• provide written expectations 
• provide training
• provide timely feedback (both positive, and constructive)
• appropriately document feedback sessions
• evaluate performance
• create developmental opportunities for learning
• take corrective action or disciplinary action including issuing oral or written reprimands; or recommending further disciplinary action to be taken by the appointing authority, in consultation with Human Resources and/or your supervisor
• Investigate and respond professionally to complaints filed or lodged against ALJs

•Comply and enforce all OAH policies, administrative and court rules, state ethics laws, and the OAH Code of Ethics.•Work with Senior ALJ colleagues and legal support staff to schedule and assign cases and other work to Lead, Line and Pro-Tem ALJs. 
•Process travel, leave, telework agreements, work schedules, time sheets, and perform other administrative functions for division in       accordance with agency guidelines.  
•Foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture of innovation, trust, and respect that welcomes feedback and collaboration, both within       the assigned division and between all other OAH offices and business units. 
•Make recommendations to Division Chief ALJs and Deputy Chief ALJs and carry out management decisions for the division and assigned     caseload. 
•Communicate clearly and effectively with others using a variety of communication methods, styles, and modes.
•In coordination with Division Chief ALJs, liaise with agency representatives and their first-level supervisors.
•Ensure all direct reports complete mandatory state and agency training.
•Provide orientation to new employees.
•Keep Division Chief ALJ and other supervisor(s) timely informed of work progress, significant developments, case status, and other issues. 
•Complete casework commensurate with level of experience, complexity of cases, and overall agency workload as determined by the       Division Chief ALJ.
•Monitor ALJ timeliness performance using reports and the case management system.
•Make day-to-day decisions needed to maintain standard operations, including giving guidance to ALJs and legal support staff.  When     assigned on-site leader responsibilities, communicate all emergencies or extraordinary situations that come to your attention to your     supervisor and/or Headquarters.
•Serve as a resource for OAH committees and workgroups, as assigned.
•Maintain a thorough understanding of statutes, regulations, case law, and agency procedures relevant to assigned caseload(s) and keep     current on new developments.
•Preside over and rule on pre-hearing, hearing, and post-hearing matters in a fair and impartial manner.
•Work with supervisors as necessary to meet assigned caseload timeliness standards and other deadlines, being mindful of time pressure      and stressful circumstances related to the job. 
•Use OAH equipment and technology systems to perform and manage work and communicate with others. 
•Make a clear and complete hearing record.
•Make legally sufficient Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law on all contested issues.  
•Write accurate legal documents that clearly set out the analysis used in reaching decisions, use proper grammar, clear language, and       “plain  talk” when possible.
•Demonstrate judicial demeanor and maintain control of legal proceedings involving multiple parties.  
•Follow specific work directives of supervisor(s), as appropriate for the position.
•Maintain reliable and regular attendance and be readily available to coworkers and others, as appropriate for the position.
•Protect privileged and confidential information.
•Accurately track and account for case-specific work and non-billable hours.
•Appropriately demonstrates respect, diversity, equity and inclusion practices with parties, stakeholders and co-workers.

Qualifications

Required education and experience include ALL of the following:
•Juris Doctor degree or equivalent (if obtained out of the United States).
•Active or judicial membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
•Five (5) or more years' experience as a licensed attorney or judge.

Required position-specific competencies:
•Delivers and Drives Results: Leads by example. Demonstrates a willingness to take initiative and seizes opportunities. Creates and nurtures a performance-based culture of continuous improvement. Provides timely, quality services that consistently meet or exceed OAH standards. Uses customer feedback and evaluations as a measure of quality. Uses problem solving and analytical skills to improve processes. Evaluates relevant information to make decisions and solve problems. Prioritizes casework, assignments and projects to meet OAH standards. Uses good judgment. Pursues economy and efficiency in the use of resources.

•Develops Self and Others: Is self-aware, adaptive, and willing to learn and improve. Coaches others through purposeful instruction and targeted questioning. Gives and accepts constructive feedback. Welcomes mistakes as opportunities to learn. Creates a safe environment in which to experiment. Gives early and frequent feedback to cultivate individual growth and encourages strong performance management principles. Focuses on the situation, issue, or behavior rather than the person.

•Fosters Collaboration: Participates in, leads, and supports the team. Builds trusting, cooperative relationships and meaningful connections with supervisor and coworkers. Seeks to learn and understand rather than to be a “knower.” Effectively collaborates with supervisor and appropriate others to assess needs, identify objectives, and prioritize actions to achieve team and OAH goals. Provides input and encourages the input of others on the team. Supports decisions once a decision is made. Shares pertinent information and keeps others informed of changes. Accepts and quickly implements changes to workload according to the needs of the team.

•Models the Way: Earns the trust, respect and confidence of supervisor, coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, authenticity, transparency, and professionalism. Sets personal example of ideal employee behavior for others and leads by example. Follows through on promises and commitments. Leads with humility and respect. Brings authentic best self to work.

•Supervision: Interviews, assigns and directs work, sets expectations, instructs, coaches, evaluates, and identifies training needs. Holds subordinates accountable and performs corrective and disciplinary action in partnership with Human Resources.
•Valuing Others: Develops and leverages relationships within and across work groups to achieve results. Works effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds. Seeks out and uses unique abilities, insights, and ideas from diverse individuals.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
•Expertise in an assigned caseload with the ability to train, mentor and educate others on the caseload.
•Adjudication experience 
•Litigation experience
•Mediation experience 
•Experience with subject matter of caseload(s) assigned

Supplemental Information

How to apply:
To begin the online application process, click the green "Apply" button on this announcement on careers.wa.gov or governmentjobs.com. To be considered for this position, you must include the following information in your online application and complete the supplemental questionnaire. Application materials must clearly show how you meet the qualifications for the position in order to be considered.

Application must include:
•An attached letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position; and,
•An attached detailed chronological resume; and 
•A completed online application profile that includes education and employment history; and
•Three professional references, including at least one supervisor, with current contact information.

OAH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email us at [email protected]. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.