Part Time Administrative Law Judge Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description 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.

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. 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,...