Line Administrative Law Judge - Olympia, United States - State of Washington

Description

Line Administrative Law Judge (Multiple Positions)

Office of Administrative Hearings


NOTE:
This pool recruitment will be closing on April 30, 2024.


NOTE:

These positions may be eligible for either a full-time or a hybrid telework schedule, as some caseloads have in-person hearing responsibilities required.

If teleworking, the alternate worksite must be located in Washington, or a contiguous county in Oregon or Idaho.


NOTE:
These positions will report to one of the following duty stations: Olympia, Spokane Valley, Seattle, or Tacoma.

If the assigned duty station is Seattle, an additional 5% King County premium pay will be added to the posted base salary range.

NOTE:
OAH starts incoming Line ALJs at one of the following base salaries:

* $95,184/annually (Range 70, Step F) for individuals who do not have prior judicial experience.
* $100,008/annually (Range 70, Step H) for individuals who do have prior judicial experience.

ALJs receive a 2-step increase (approximately 5%) in their salaries on their anniversary date annually until they reach the top of the salary range.

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 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 & 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.

The Opportunity:
OAH is currently looking to fill multiple Line Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) positions.

These positions may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, as they may have some in-person hearing requirements depending on caseload.

ALJs are critical to the successful completion of the OAH mission.

Line ALJs contribute to the mission by managing a caseload, completing pre-hearing work, conducting hearings that are fair in substance and appearance, and issuing well-reasoned decisions within the agency's timeliness standards.

These positions may work in any of the following Divisions:

• Child & Family Care Division
• Public Assistance & Health Division
• Regulatory & Education Division
• Unemployment Insurance Division

These positions may work on any of 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 Youth & 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.
• Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) - The MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) caseload is a subset of the HCA caseload and consists of appeals from denials of Washington Apple Health benefits. These denials are primarily due to the appellant exceeding the maximum income level for eligibility. The ALJ first holds a prehearing conference to set a case schedule, including an evidentiary hearing date. Evidentiary hearings take place via Webex, and are generally one to two hours in duration, depending on complexity. The ALJ then issues an initial order within 60 days of OAH's receipt of the hearing request.
• 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.
• Regulatory (REG) - Regulatory caseload consists of appeals or claims arising out of administrative action involving over 25 state agencies, as well as numerous local government agencies. These agencies include the Departments of Labor and Industries, Licensing, Transportation, and Financial Institutions as well as the Liquor and Cannabis Board, Gambling Commission, Washington State Patrol, and Washington State University. This caseload includes appeals arising out of determinations issued by the Employment Security Department relative to the Paid Family & Medical Leave Act. An ALJ first holds a prehearing conference to set a case schedule, including witness and exhibit disclosures, motion practice, and a hearing date. Depending on complexity, cases will resolve on summary judgment, or through an evidentiary hearing. OAH issues either an initial order, a final order, or no order at all, depending on the agency and type of case involved. Dispositive orders, if issued, are generally due 60 days after the close of record following a full adjudicative proceeding, 10 days after the close of record following a brief adjudicative proceeding, and 30 days after the close of dispositive motion briefing and/or argument.
• Unemployment Insurance (UI) - The Unemployment Insurance (UI) caseload includes hearings on all initial appeals from UI related decisions made by the Employment Security Department (ESD). Appeals may be filed by either a claimant or former employer and are filed through the ESD. ESD transmits those appeals to OAH on a daily basis. The professional staff then schedule hearings, mail Notices of Hearing to the parties, and generally manage the case pre-and-post hearing. ALJs hear the cases (almost exclusively via teleconference) and then write and issue appropriate orders. In the normal course of business ALJs have five business days to produce an order, however in order to meet Department of Labor (DOL) standards, ALJs may be required to produce orders more quickly in cases where a DOL deadline will arrive in less than five business days. Completed orders are then distributed to the relevant parties by the professional staff.

Position Overview:

Our ALJs mainly preside over telephonic hearings but may also conduct in-person hearings for both pro se and represented parties.

ALJs work in a fast-paced, timeline-driven environment where they are at the forefront of accomplishing the OAH mission. ALJs enjoy seeing the direct result of their work and the justice provided in each decision made. An ALJ's primary role is to conduct hearings that are fairin both substance and appearanceand issue well-reasoned, timely decisions. This role demands the ability to build a record, manage time effectively, and produce clear, logical, well-written decisions.

As a representative of the State of Washington, each ALJ is held to the highest standard of professionalism, performance excellence, and ethics.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Manage an assigned workload commensurate with level of experience, complexity of cases, and overall agency workload as determined by your supervisor.
• 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.
• Work with supervisor as necessary to meet assigned caseload timeliness standards and other deadlines, being mindful of time pressures and stressful circumstances related to the job.
• Use agency 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.
• Keep supervisor(s) timely informed of work progress, significant developments, case status, and other issues.
• 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.
• Comply with all office policies, administrative and court rules, state ethics laws, and the OAH Code of Ethics for ALJs.
• Accurately track and account for case-specific work and non-billable hours
• Demonstrate respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion practices with parties, stakeholders, and co-workers.

Required Education & Experience:

• A Juris Doctor degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years of legal experience as a licensed attorney
• Active or Judicial membership with the Washington State Bar Association or any state's Bar association.

Applicants with at least three, but less than five, years of relevant legal experience may be considered for an Entry ALJ position ($90,624 annual base salary).

Entry ALJs are expected to perform the same duties as a Line ALJ and will have the opportunity to be promoted to a Line ALJ position after successfully performing the duties of an ALJ with OAH for one year.

Required Competencies:

• Analytical Skills: Identifies key facts in a range of data. Notices when data appears wrong or incomplete or needs verification. Distinguishes information that is not pertinent to a decision or solution.
• Decision Making and Judgment: Makes timely, logical decisions. Evaluates relevant information and data to make decisions and solve problems. Prioritizes work assignments and projects to meet OAH standards. Pursues economy and efficiency in the use of resources. Exercises good judgment in determining issues that should be elevated to management in determining issues that should be elevated to management.
• Knowledge Retention: Learns and retains new or changing information and processes regarding caseloads, office procedures, and policies. Takes initiative to use personalized methods based on own learning style to learn and retain information that has been presented. Learns, retains, and applies Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and other rules to OAH procedures and processes. Learns and retains knowledge of administrative law and procedures.
• Judicial Temperament: Is objective and neutral, balances competing interests, and effectively manages an administrative hearing and the parties involved, consistent with applicable law, commitment to equal justice under law, and freedom from bias. Decides issues according to law, courtesy and civility, open-mindedness, and compassion.
• Proofreading: Reads with comprehension drafted, original, or other written materials and documents that may include citations, rules, and regulations, and makes corrections to effectively resolve problems or inaccuracies in punctuation, spelling, and grammar or omitted language. Accurately discerns intended context of main ideas or essential message of document content.
• Stress Tolerance: Works in a fast-paced environment and balances competing priorities. Effectively manages stressful or adverse situations by making good decisions, working calmly, and leading others in effective communication strategies. Demonstrates tact and diplomacy throughout interactions. Deals appropriately with highly stressful situations and emotional parties.
• Tact and Diplomacy: Responds to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintain good working relationships among internal and external customers. Tactfully presents information in an objective and neutral manner. Remains calm, patient, and self-controlled when responding to resistance or conflict. Learns and demonstrates respect for other perspectives. Keeps conversations positive, focusing on options, benefits, and sources of assistance.
• Technology Skills: Uses computer and case management system to effectively process assigned cases. Makes a complete hearing record with recording software and devices. Independently produces electronic legal documents. Uses email, telephone, and conference call systems to communicate with others.
• Workload Management: Accurately, effectively, and independently handles workload assigned. Engages in timely and effective problem solving.
• Writing Skills: Composes clear, straightforward, and technically correct documents. Choose the most effective and meaningful written form to express information. States information as simply as possible and organizes information logically. Proofreads and edits information to improve its clarity, organization, content, etc., according to accepted rules of the English language. Writes at different reading and educational levels by altering words, length of sentences, and depth of explanation.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with subject matter of caseload(s) assigned.
• Adjudication experience
• Litigation experience
• Mediation experience

ALJs who have been successful in and enjoyed these types of positions/environments in their work history tend to be better prepared for the rewarding challenge of being an ALJ at OAH.

How to apply:
To begin the online application process, click the green "Apply" button on this announcement on or To be considered for this position, you must include the following required information in your online application:

• A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position; and
• A detailed chronological resume; and
• 3 professional references with current contact information; and
• A current legal writing sample that demonstrates your professional work; and
• A complete NeoGov application profile.

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 For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or