[Hiring] Chief Review Judge @State of Washington

Role Description

The Chief Review Judge leads the agency’s statewide administrative hearings and appeals programs, ensuring all processes are timely, fair, and compliant with State and Federal law while overseeing the contract with the Office of Administrative Hearings. The position holds Delegated Authority from the agency Director to independently administer the hearing system, supervise the Board of Appeals, and decide second-level Medicaid-related appeals, while also serving as the primary review judge for public and school employee benefits programs. This high-visibility leadership role with significant independent authority is ideal for a Washington State Bar Licensed Attorney with experience in administrative law and team supervision.

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

The Chief Review Judge reports directly to the Chief Legal Officer and provides legal, policy, and administrative support to ensure the HCA meets its legal requirements under state and federal law to provide fair, impartial adjudicative proceedings. The Chief Review Judge is primarily responsible for:

• Appeals administration
• Judicial office management
• Acts as the Presiding Officer

This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to report onsite to meet business needs. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.

All agency employees are required to report on-site in Olympia on their first and last days of employment to pick up and return state-issued equipment, regardless of telework status or location.

Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited law school and licensed by the Washington State Bar Association in good standing.
• Five (5) years of experience with administrative hearings under the Administrative Procedures Act, representing a governmental agency in front of a tribunal, or other similar legal experience in public sector judicial or quasi-judicial setting.
• Extensive experience directly supervising professional level staff.
• Strong leadership and advanced managerial knowledge and skills that ensure accountability, effectiveness, and high level of ethical integrity, including adherence to the Washington State Court Rules of Professional Conduct.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including conflict de-escalation.
• Knowledge and skills in litigation, negotiation, and mediation/conflict resolution.
• Excellent public speaking skills, ability to assess training needs, ability to develop and deliver training to wide variety of audiences.
• Demonstrates personal accountability.
• Experience in personnel management, staff development, and knowledge of regulations related to personnel and supervisory management in the public sector.
• Ability to manage time and organize work using systems thinking.
• Advanced knowledge of information technology and skills in working with systems and software, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of and adherence to state ethics law.

Requirements

• Knowledge of state and federal policies, laws, and regulations related to state and federal medical assistance programs.
• Knowledge of laws and issues related to administration of the Public Employees Benefit Board and School Employees Benefits Board programs (e.g., COBRA, ERISA, Internal Revenue Code, self-insurance health plans, outside third-party administration issues, coordination of benefits, long-term disability, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts).
• Knowledge of healthcare delivery methods, national healthcare reform efforts, and trends.
• Knowledge of or experience in state contracts and acquisitions; vendor disputes; intellectual property; internet/computer law; Public Records Act/Open Public Meetings Act; and privacy laws.
• Knowledge and experience drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts in state government.

Benefits

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve.
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered.
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package.
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants and shopping nearby.
• Free parking!