Assistant Division Chief Administrative Law Judge

About the Department

Assistant Division Chief ALJ

Office of Administrative Hearings

Social & Health Services Division
 

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

NOTE: This position is non-represented and civil service exempt.

NOTE: Due to its exempt status, there is not a specified salary range for this position. The salary will be $154,008 annually based on internal equity and alignment.

NOTE: This position is eligible for part-time telework, as some in-person duties (like hearings, trainings, etc.) may be necessary; if working remotely, the alternate worksite must be located in Washington state.

The Opportunity:

OAH is currently looking to fill a new Assistant Division Chief ALJ (ADC) position in our new Social & Health Services (SHS) Division. The ADC serves as a key operational leader within their assigned division and partners with the Division Chief ALJ to advance divisional priorities, improve operational effectiveness, and promote excellence in administrative adjudication. The position provides leadership through collaboration, influence, and delegated authority rather than formal supervisory responsibility.

Working with a high degree of independence and sound judgment, the ADC coordinates division-wide initiatives, leads continuous improvement efforts, develops operational resources and best practices, facilitates communication among internal and external stakeholders, and supports the implementation of strategic organizational priorities. The position serves as a trusted advisor to the Division Chief, providing operational analysis, recommendations, and leadership that strengthen consistency, efficiency, innovation, and service delivery across the division.

In addition to maintaining a reduced judicial caseload, the ADC leads special projects, supports organizational change initiatives, and serves as the Division Chief's designee for assigned operational responsibilities, expanding leadership capacity while advancing the mission and goals of the Office of Administrative Hearings. The caseloads that are adjudicated by this division include:

• Division of Child Support
• Department of Children, Youth & Families
• Health Care Authority
• Licensing
• Modified Adjusted Gross Income
• Public Assistance
• WA Cares

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, 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.

Position Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Providing operational leadership in support of the Division Chief by coordinating division activities, facilitating communication, implementing organizational priorities, and promoting consistent operational practices across assigned caseloads.

• Partner with the Division Chief to coordinate day-to-day operational activities and implement division priorities.
• Monitor operational trends, identify emerging issues, and recommend solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, and service delivery.
• Coordinate implementation of agency initiatives within the division and ensure effective communication of operational changes.
• Represent the Division Chief in meetings, workgroups, and operational discussions as assigned.
• Coordinate communication among ALJs, Legal Administrative Managers (LAMs), Headquarters staff, and other agency partners, as assigned.
• Facilitate collaboration across divisions and business units to resolve operational issues and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Analyze operational data and prepare reports, recommendations, and presentations supporting executive and divisional decision-making.
• Serve as the Division Chief's designee for assigned operational and leadership responsibilities and as a trusted advisor.
• Serve as Acting Division Chief for assigned operational responsibilities during absences or as delegated.
• Research operational issues and prepare recommendations supporting executive decision-making.
• Carry out delegated leadership assignments requiring sound judgment, tact and diplomacy, and discretion.
• Support implementation of agency strategic priorities within the division.
• Keep the Division Chief informed of significant operational issues, emerging risks, stakeholder concerns, and recommendations.

Leading strategic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts that enhance operational performance, strengthen judicial resources, and improve service delivery.

• Lead and/or coordinate division-wide special projects assigned by the Division Chief.
• Develop recommendations that improve operational processes, workflows, and administrative practices.
• Coordinate development and maintenance of operational resources, guidance materials, templates, and reference tools supporting ALJs and professional staff.
• Lead development of best practices in collaboration with Senior ALJs, Lead ALJs, LAMs, and other subject matter experts.
• Coordinate development and maintenance of division resources available through Inside OAH and other organizational knowledge management systems.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and develop recommendations supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support implementation of new technology, reporting tools, and operational systems that improve efficiency and consistency.
• Coordinate development of reports, dashboards, and other operational metrics that support leadership decision-making.

Building collaborative relationships that strengthen communication, improve coordination, and support successful partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Serve as a liaison with referring agencies, stakeholders, and partner organizations on assigned operational initiatives.
• Participate in recurring stakeholder meetings and assist in identifying opportunities to improve collaboration and service delivery.
• Coordinate with Headquarters staff regarding operational needs, technology improvements, reporting, facilities, and other agency initiatives.
• Participate on agency committees, including the Safety Committee and other cross-functional workgroups, as assigned.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, respect, and continuous improvement throughout the division.

Promoting judicial excellence and consistency by supporting professional development, facilitating collaboration, and strengthening adjudicative practices throughout the division.

• Facilitate development and delivery of ALJ training in collaboration with Senior ALJs, Lead ALJs, and subject matter experts.
• Promote consistent application of statutes, regulations, agency policy, and adjudicative best practices.
• Coordinate development of hearing templates, reference materials, and judicial resources supporting consistent decision-making.
• Provide guidance and consultation regarding operational and procedural issues affecting assigned caseloads as delegated.
• Support onboarding and integration of new ALJs through development of training resources and operational guidance in collaboration with Senior ALJs.
• Assist with hearing coverage and operational continuity as assigned.

Maintaining a reduced judicial caseload and conducting hearings in accordance with agency quality and timeliness standards.

• Conduct fair and impartial hearings.
• Manage assigned caseload.
• Issue timely, well-reasoned decisions.
• Maintain legal knowledge.
• Protect confidential information.
• Demonstrate judicial demeanor.
• Meet productivity and quality expectations.

Minimum Qualifications

Required education and/or experience:

Licensure:

• Active or judicial membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of administrative law principles, hearing procedures, judicial ethics, applicable statutes, administrative rules, and due process requirements necessary to conduct hearings and advise others on adjudicative practices (RCW 34.12.030(1))

Skills:

• Facilitating collaboration and leading organizational and/or divisional initiatives through influence
• Analyzing issues, identifying root causes, evaluating alternatives, and developing practical recommendations
• Building productive working relationships, fostering collaboration, and facilitating discussion on complex issues
• Facilitating meetings, delivering presentations and training, communicating complex information, and adapting communication styles to diverse audiences

Ability to:

• Influence others, build trust, facilitate collaboration, and achieve organizational outcomes through expertise, credibility, and relationships rather than supervisory authority
• Evaluate complex operational and judicial issues, exercise sound judgment, and make recommendations involving sensitive or high-impact matters
• Develop resources, establish best practices, improve processes, facilitate learning, and strengthen organizational effectiveness across the division
• Balance judicial responsibilities, operational leadership, strategic initiatives, stakeholder relationships, and changing organizational priorities while maintaining quality and timeliness

OAH Core Competencies

• Accountability and dependability: Takes responsibility for actions and work quality. Meets deadlines, maintains accuracy, and works independently.
• Adaptability and flexibility: Adjusts to change and feedback, learns from experience, and seeks continuous improvement.
• Attention to detail: Ensures accuracy and thoroughness in work. Carefully reviews output to avoid errors.
• Communication effectiveness: Clearly conveys and receives information through speaking and writing and adapts to the audience.
• Ethics and integrity: Acts honestly, maintains confidentiality, follows rules, and responsibly and appropriately uses public resources.
• Relationship and team building: Develops and fosters trust, respect, and collaboration to support team members and team goals. Resolves disagreements constructively.
• Self-awareness and commitment to growth: Recognizes personal biases and how they impact communication and decisions. Seeks growth through reflection and learning.

Statewide Equity Competencies

• Take action to learn and grow: Curious about self and others. Takes responsibility for knowing own strengths and weaknesses. Uses their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all of Washington.
• Take action to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, and customer service focused. Willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people they work with and serve.

Position-specific Competencies

• Active listening: Listens attentively, asks clarifying questions, confirms understanding, and responds with empathy.
• Administrative law and procedures: Learns, understands, and retains rules and procedures related to administrative law and case management.
• Analytical: Identifies key information, analyzes and verifies data, and applies appropriate solutions based on guidelines.
• Change management: Supports and/or leads change efforts with a focus on improvement and clear communication.
• Decision-making and judgment: Makes timely, informed decisions using relevant data and standards, and demonstrates sound judgment through consistent, responsible, and thoughtful actions.
• Deliver and drive results: Takes initiative and follows through to meet performance goals and improve processes.
• Develop self and others: Pursues growth as a leader and supports development of others through feedback and coaching.
• Foster collaboration: Works well with others, supports team decisions, and shares information openly.
• Interpersonal effectiveness: Builds positive relationships and works effectively with diverse perspectives and teams.
• Judicial demeanor: Demonstrates and upholds objectivity, impartiality, fairness, and respect in managing hearings. Ensures decisions and conduct align with the law and principles of equal justice.
• Knowledge retention: Effectively learns, retains, and applies new or updated information and procedures.
• Legal research methods: Effectively uses legal resources to find relevant laws, regulations, and cases.
• Legal terms and citations: Understands and correctly uses legal terms, rules, and citation formats.
• Model the way: Leads by example through consistency, humility, and integrity.
• Proofreading: Consistently identifies and corrects grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensures content accuracy and clarity.
• Stress tolerance: Remains calm and effective under pressure or in difficult situations.
• Tact and diplomacy: Handles sensitive situations respectfully, reducing conflict and maintaining relationships.
• Technology effectiveness: Uses technology accurately and effectively for communication, documentation, and workload management. Uses state-owned technology resources appropriately and ethically.
• Valuing others: Respects diverse perspectives, is mindful of various backgrounds and lived experiences as a leader in the workplace, and leverages strengths across teams.
• Workload management: Handles tasks efficiently and independently, maintaining high-quality output.
• Writing effectiveness: Produces clear, concise, and well-organized written content for various audiences.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience:

• 3 years as an administrative law judge
• Leading, supervising, mentoring, and/or training attorneys or adjudicators
• Facilitating case assignments and schedules

Knowledge:

• Subject matter expertise for divisional caseloads
• Organizational change management principles
• Lean, continuous improvement, or process improvement methodologies

Skills:

• Developing or delivering professional training
• Creating operational guidance, templates, or knowledge resources
• Representing leadership on committees or stakeholder groups
• Coordinating operational priorities

Ability to:

• Interpret organizational priorities and develop practical implementation plans that improve operations and achieve desired outcomes.

Other Qualifications

How to apply:
To begin the online application process, click the green "Apply" button on this announcement oncareers.wa.govor 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.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov