State of Washington
Office of the Insurance Commissioner invites applications for the position of:
Presiding Officer (Civil Service Exempt)
SALARY: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 Annually
OPENING DATE: 02/25/15
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
DESCRIPTION:
The OIC is recruiting to fill a Civil Service Exempt position: Presiding Officer for the Hearings Unit. The Presiding Officer position serves as the Insurance Commissioner's designee to issue final orders in adjudicative proceedings and to review initial orders presented by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). This position also provides legal, legislative, and policy support to the Commissioner.
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) operates under the direction of the state's Insurance Commissioner, a statewide elected official. The agency's mission is consumer protection and regulation of the state's insurance industry. With approximately 220 employees, we are one of the smaller state agencies in Washington state government and are fortunate to have a stable funding source that does not rely on the state’s general fund. The OIC values its employees and diversity in the workplace. We challenge our employees to continuously improve the way we do business, and to meet and exceed the needs of our customers. To learn more about this agency, we invite you to visit our website at
www.insurance.wa.gov.
Continuing Legal Education: The OIC will pay for your CLEs!
DUTIES:
Operating within delegated scope of authority, the position will include the following duties:
• Primarily be responsible for serving as the fact finder in adjudicative proceedings where a party to a matter has filed an appeal, specific statutes require a hearing, or the Commissioner has initiated a hearing;
• Review initial orders prepared by OAH and enter final orders consistent with law and Commissioner’s policies;
• Conducts adjudicative proceedings as the Commissioner’s delegee, to include presiding at hearings, ruling on motions, performing legal analysis and issuing final orders according to the laws of Washington State, including RCW 34.05, Title 59 RCW, and Title 284 WAC;
• As the Commissioner’s delegee or designee, communicates with the Commissioner about agency policy to further the agency’s goal of regulating the insurance industry in a fair and efficient manner;
• Manages the hearing process, beginning with case intake to the issuance of a final order and posting on the OIC internet page;
• Provides legislative, rulemaking and policy support to the Commissioner;
• Oversees certification of official hearing records to superior court as necessary; and,
• Supervision of paralegal position assigned to the Hearings Unit.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
• Admission to practice law in the state of Washington;
and,
• At least five years of legal experience working in the fields of litigation, administrative law, insurance regulation, or policy.
Desirable Qualifications:
The OIC is most interested in candidates who have relevant experience, skills and abilities; such as:
• Significant prior experience in governmental decision making capacity, preferably in insurance regulation. Enforcement work is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively research, analyze, understand and apply foreign and alien jurisdiction case law, statutes, regulations and rules of evidence to international supervisory standards.
• Experience researching and applying WA State laws related to administrative adjudicative proceedings.
• Familiarity with the programs and functions of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
• Legislative work experience at the state, local or federal level.
Position Specific Competencies
• Demonstrated ability to effectively research, analyze, understand, and apply WA State case law, statutes, regulations and rules of evidence to complex and varied issues for purposes of formulating decisions.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations related to regulation of the insurance industry.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate legal and policy issues, both orally and in writing, in a clear manner.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and constituents on policy issues; ability to build and foster productive relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and organize projects, effectively managing time and prioritizing varied work assignments.
• Using sound judgment, have the ability to effectively negotiate and address problems with creative and effective solutions.
• Cultural competency and the ability to demonstrate respect and sensitivity to others.
• Refined judicial temperament that will allow incumbent to maintain proper control of proceedings while evidencing respect for all parties in oral and written communications.
• Ability to produce timely, concise written orders that have a reasonable expectation of being upheld if appealed.
OIC Core Competencies:
Respect, recognition and inclusiveness: Engages in constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect; helps create a work environment that embraces and appreciates diversity; and, recognizes contributions of others within the organization --- all of which will enhance the attainment of organizational goals.
Accountability: Demonstrates understanding of the link between job responsibilities and
organizational goals. Accepts personal responsibility and accountability for the quality and timeliness of own work, and adhering to agency processes/policies. Manages his or her own performance to meet expectations and achieve expected results.
Communication and Collaboration: Actively listens and engages in open, respectful, and cooperative manner. Conveys messages that are effective in communicating information and ideas with others.
Customer Focus: Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with services offered by the organization, both regulatory and consumer based. Demonstrates sensitivity to public’s perceptions and attitudes.
Professionalism and Integrity: Through consistent honesty, forthrightness, and professionalism in all interactions, earns the trust, respect and confidence of co-workers and customers.
Leadership: Inspires, motivates, and brings out the best in others. Guides team members toward a shared vision and accomplishment of goals. Displays balanced thinking that combines analysis, wisdom, experience and perspective.
Strategic Management: Seeing the long-range picture, aligns the direction, resources, products, services and performance of the division/program with the OIC Strategic Plan. When appropriate, embraces changing business needs and adapts approach, goals, and methods to achieve success.
Human Resource Management: Effectively manages human resources in a consistent and equitable manner.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Compensation
This announcement is open until the position is filled; however, initial candidate review will be scheduled for March 4, 2015. Applicants are encouraged to submit at the earliest point of opportunity for first interview consideration. The hiring authority has the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time.
The position is overtime exempt and eligible for both retirement and health care benefits.
The Compensation will vary depending on qualifications. (Up to $85,000 annually.)
Outstanding benefits include health, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military and civil leave; dependent care assistance program; employee assistance program; deferred compensation plans; 11 paid holidays plus a personal holiday; tuition reimbursement; commute trip reduction; training; and state retirement plans.
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this opportunity, complete an online application with the materials listed below.
1. Go to
www.careers.wa.gov
2. Click the "Look for jobs" button
3. Click the "Office of the Insurance Commissioner" box in the Department section.
4. Click the "Apply Search" button. 5. Click Presiding Officer (Exempt)
6. Click the "Apply" button.
7. Follow the online application instructions to complete the online application & include these materials:
• An Online Questionnaire;
• Current resume;
• A detailed letter of interest describing your skills and experience as they relate to the
qualifications outlines in this job announcement; and,
• A list of three professional references, including at least one supervisor, with current telephone numbers and addresses.
Incomplete application packages may disqualify the applicant from the selection process.
A Juris Doctorate degree and admission to practice law in the State of WA is required for this position. Proof of degree(s) will be required at the finalist stage; therefore; candidates may want to pre-plan for this.
Note: The act of submitting application materials is considered affirmation that the information provided is complete and truthful. When submitted electronically, you are confirming that all information is true and complete.
OTHER INFORMATION
This position is exempt from civil service. It is located in Tumwater, Washington in an office setting, requiring the ability to work both independently as well as in a team environment. The position may require infrequent travel.
In accordance with RCW 48.02.090(5), Office of Insurance Commissioner employees are prohibited from having any interest, directly or indirectly, in an insurance company other than as a policy holder. This prohibition includes the receipt of renewal commissions.
This announcement is published by the Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner. The state of Washington is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to supporting diversity in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and honorably discharged veterans or military status are strongly encouraged to apply.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call Lindsey Henderson, HRC4, at (360) 725-7004. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.
