Senior Administrative Law Judge

Senior Administrative Law Judge (Temporary)

Office of Administrative Hearings

Work Zone Speed Camera Caseload

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

NOTE: This is a temporary appointment expected to last approximately 12 months and will report to one of the following duty stations: Olympia, Tacoma, or Spokane.

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 Regulatory & Education Division. This position reports to 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.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• For ALJs assigned to their team, use established performance management policies and best practices to effectively:
  1. provide written expectations 
  2. provide training
  3. provide timely feedback (both positive, and constructive)
  4. appropriately document feedback sessions
  5. evaluate performance
  6. create developmental opportunities for learning
  7. 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
  8. 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.
• In collaboration with Division Chief ALJs, Senior ALJ colleagues, Legal Administrative Managers, and other offices/units as appropriate, manage performance, workload, and cultural issues that arise. 
• 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, timesheets, 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.

Required education and experience include ALL of the following:

• 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, or one year as an Entry or Line ALJ..

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

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 OAHHR@oah.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.