“Helping every Washington resident live, work, drive, and thrive.”

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity.

At Department of Licensing (DOL), we work hard to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers, and help build trust in our government.

Our Programs and Services Division (PSD) has a unique opportunity for multiple attorneys statewide with excellent interpersonal communication skills both orally and in writing to join our team as Hearing Examiners within the Hearings and Interviews Unit.

We are one of the most public facing state agencies and the second largest revenue generating agency in Washington State. We regularly interact with over 6 million Washington residents and collect nearly $3.2 billion in taxes and fees annually. We know our services are essential to our customers’ ability to live, work, drive, and thrive and we are committed to ensuring every resident has equitable and meaningful access to our services.

Are you an attorney with impeccable writing skills that is seeking work-life harmony? If so, we invite you to apply!

As our Hearings Examiner you will preside over administrative hearings to adjudicate disputes between licensees and the Department. Working under tight deadlines, you will consider evidence, rule on motions and objections, and write legally sound decisions to uphold or rescind the Department’s sanctions against driving privileges. You will have the authority to make final decisions after considering all evidence and legal arguments. In this role, you are instrumental in providing the due process infrastructure that is necessary for us to help every Washington resident live, work, drive, and thrive.

Some of what you will do:

• Preside over adjudicative hearings/interviews to establish a lawfully completed record in an orderly and efficient manner.
• Knowledgeably and decisively verbalize on the audio record various rulings on motions and evidentiary objections.
• Create and type findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order rescinding or sustaining the department’s actions, addressing all arguments utilizing word processing software such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Pro.
• Perform legal research by using electronic research tools, analyze relevant law, and determine the application of law to the facts.
• Review audio and video evidence.
• Read and analyze defense briefs, motions, and departmental record.
• Rule on matters preliminary to the hearing including subpoena requests, motions to strike, and continuance requests.

Qualifications

What you will bring:

• A license to practice law in Washington State.
• A combination of two (2) years of experience from any of the following categories:An adjudicator of claims.
  Full-time member of a regulatory board or commission which hears contested cases.
  Prosecuting or defending criminal cases.
  Representing plaintiffs/defendants in civil trials or hearings.
• Two (2) years of experience in writing original legal briefs, rulings, and decisions and communicating official legal opinions and procedures in a clear and concise manner.
• One (1) year of experience in conducting legal research by using electronic research tools, analyzing relevant law, and determining application of the law to the facts.
• One (1) year of experience in the use of personal computers, utilizing software programs such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Pro, and legal research tools.

*Experience can be obtained concurrently*

What may set you apart:

• Experience in prosecuting or defending parties in DUI trials.
• Experience with on-line and electronic filing systems.
• Experience using Microsoft office products.
• Experience in interviewing and questioning witnesses and hearing participants to obtain the most accurate and complete understanding of the facts in a legal proceeding.
• The ability to:Maintain the highest level of confidentiality at all times.
  Remain professional and courteous in all interactions, both with external and internal customers.
  Monitor own calendar and maintain quality work with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to participate in team meetings, projects, work groups and planning committees.
• Flexibility in scheduling, such as willingness to take additional hearings with short notice on as needed basis.

Additional Conditions of employment:

• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• The ability to travel statewide as needed.

DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. For information about available accommodations, the interview process, or the position contact Nicole Walters.

Supplemental Information

Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion!

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

We value diverse perspectives and life experiences.
We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice
To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference, please notify the Recruitment Team. Use a subject line that includes the title of this recruitment.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-902-4000 or may email HRRecruit@dol.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360.339.7344.

The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.