Insurance Attorney

Salary: $79,620.00 - $119,430.00 Annually

Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA

Job Type: Exempt

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 2024-04087

Department: Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Division: Legal Affairs

Opening Date: 04/24/2024

Closing Date: 5/31/2024 12:00 AM Pacific

Description

*Updated as of 4/24/2024*

This recruitment has been extended until May 31, 2024 to allow for a wider candidate pool. If you have already applied, you do not need to reapply. The agency reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time after the initial screening date on April 8, 2024. It is in the applicant's best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

OIC CAREER OPPORTUNITY

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner's (OIC) Insurance Enforcement Unit is seeking motivated and qualified individuals to fill an exempt Insurance Attorney position. This position is assigned to the Legal Affairs Division, located in our Tumwater office.

OIC's Insurance Attorneys work with investigative staff and subject matter experts from around the agency to act against licensed insurance professionals and companies for violations of the insurance code. Enforcement actions range from cease-and-desist orders to compliance plans and fines upwards of seven-figures. Insurance Attorneys litigate these actions at the administrative level, including negotiating appropriate consent orders and settlements. In addition, they aid staff within the agency and participate on teams aimed to develop rules, legislation, initiatives, and other projects. Examples of past and current work includes the implementation of health care reform, the use of consumer credit scores in insurance rates, and industry-wide enforcement of service contractor registration.

If you are interested in putting your legal and writing skills to work in a complex and dynamic regulatory environment, and you would like to protect consumer's interests while promoting a healthy insurance market for Washington State, please apply and become part of our team!

This is a civil service exempt position and salary depends on qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $79,620 - $119,430.

AGENCY PROFILE AND VALUES

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) operates under the direction of the state's Insurance Commissioner, a statewide elected official. Our mission is to provide consumer protection and regulation of the state's insurance industry.

With a workforce of approximately 265 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.

Because we are a small agency, you will truly get a chance to understand the "big picture" of what we do and why we do it. You will also have a chance to get to know your co-workers.

We have high employee satisfaction scores, and we value 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 and

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR OIC

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We offer a great selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, and compensation benefits for you and your family.

Additional Benefits:

• Wellness programs.
• Dependent care assistance.
• Washington State Employee Assistance Program.
• Federal Social Security and Medicare systems.
• Additional Leave; , , ,
• Deferred Compensation (supplemental retirement plan).
• Training and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement.
• Program for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (if applicable)
• Free parking at our main office in Tumwater.
• A stable funding source that does not rely on the state's general fund.
• The fulfillment of public service.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Flexible work schedules and telework/hybrid opportunities.
• Commitment to diversity in the workplace and support one another with respect and trust.
• Free Thurston County Transit public transportation.

Duties

Reporting to the Attorney Manager, this position is responsible for assisting the agency with the interpretation of insurance statues, investigating, enforcing laws, and the regulations governing insurance within the State of Washington. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Review cases to ensure that action is factually supportable and legally defensible.
• Research relevant laws and comparable cases to determine a range of appropriate agency action by utilizing a variety of resources including LexisNexis, publications, and internal databases.
• Prepare memoranda for agency enforcement committees, verbally summarizes and presents the cases, and makes recommendations for appropriate enforcement actions.
• Meet with referring parties to review cases and finalize recommendations.
• Draft disciplinary orders, advisement letters, compliance plans, letters and memoranda.
• Negotiate penalties and/or appropriate remedial measures to be taken.
• Present OIC's position at hearings before the Presiding Officer and the Office of

Administrative Hearings.

• Draft briefs, pleadings, and motions; prepares discovery and associated responses, oral arguments, exhibits and examination and cross examination of witnesses; and presents evidence using the rules of evidence contained in the Administrative Procedures Act.
• Respond to requests for analysis requiring the interpretation of insurance law and regulation, both state and federal.
• Participate in the review and drafting of legislation and regulations.

Qualifications

Required Qualification for this position include:

• Law degree awarded from an accredited law school as recognized by the by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or foreign equivalent.
• Current license to practice law, preferably from Washington State.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications for this position include:

• Experience in the insurance industry or insurance regulation field (either as an attorney or practitioner).
• Experience in government regulation and enforcement.
• Experience with participating in administrative hearings as an attorney.
• Paid litigation experience.
• Familiarity with the Washington State Legislative process, including bill analysis.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply: Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large green "apply" button at the top of this announcement. If you have not done so previously, you will need to set up an account profile.

Please provide three (3) professional references on your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Your letter of interest should describe how your experience, training and education make you a viable and competitive candidate for this position.
General suggestions for creating a good application:

• Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions. Include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications.
• Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one.
• Specifically include all your work experiences doing the same or similar work to this position.
• Make sure your application reflects your best writing.

Wage/salary depends on qualifications or state rules of compensation (if currently a state employee).

Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact

Other Information:

• State law (RCW 48.02.090(5)) prohibits employees of the OIC from having any interest, directly or indirectly, in an insurance company other than as a policyholder. This prohibition includes the receipt of renewal commissions. If employment is accepted with this agency, you agree to abide by this state law.
• If a degree or other credentials are listed by the candidate, proof will be required at the finalist stage. Candidates are encouraged to pre-plan for this. University degrees must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent.
• If a degree was awarded outside the United States, candidates must provide a credential evaluation report.
• 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 Office of Insurance Commissioner is an equal opportunity employer. Auxiliary aides and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Please contact the recruiter listed above.
• If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing (log in, password or email issues) or completing your application (error messages), please call toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
• For general questions regarding applying for jobs, contact the recruiter or

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 ...