The Washington Department of Licensing has a rare opportunity for an attorney who is a strong, experienced leader to join our agency and make a difference. The Hearings and Interviews Unit, within the Programs and Services Division (PSD), is looking for an Assistant Administrator to join our legal team. This is a full-time position that is exempt from Washington civil service (WMS2).  Salary depends on qualifications.

The successful candidate will manage the administration of driver hearings and supervise three senior Hearing Examiners and indirectly responsible for approximately 20-line Hearing Examiners. This position maintains an expert level knowledge of driver licensing statutes, regulations, and case laws to be a resource and mentor our Hearing Examiners. You will conduct training, onboarding, and assist in recommending improvement of administrative rules, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with state law and the Department’s strategic priorities by providing bill analysis and unit impact to the Administrator.

Are you up to the challenge?  If so, come join us!  You will be glad you did!

Primary Responsibilities:

As the unit’s Assistant Administrator, you will:

• Direct and manage the work of senior hearings examiners and other team members.
• Influence and affect the positive performance and accomplishment of those supervised, both directly and indirectly, within their program area.
• Act as Administrator whenever necessary.
• Interpret, at an expert level, legal and legislative updates, and inform Hearings Examiner teams of the same as relevant to driver licensing and due process.
• Coordinate annual statewide training, and/or continuing legal education seminars and classes.
• Investigate and respond to complaints from internal and external stakeholders about the business of the unit.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with traffic safety organizations, law enforcement groups, the DUI defense bar, and DOL divisions and units who play a role in driver licensing.
• Act as the Chair of workgroups, committees, etc., for the improvement of policies and procedures as assigned by the Administrator.
• Assist with the management of Hearings and Interviews’ biennial program budget of over $7 million.
• Protect and ensure the integrity and fact-finding independence of Hearings Examiners.

Accountability:

• Oversee, train, and provide work direction to Hearings Examiners that are attorneys and appointed by the Director to make final decisions on his or her behalf. Hearings Examiners' legal decisions are appealable by licensees to the state's Superior Courts and beyond.
• Responsible for the case quality review system, performed by the Hearings Examiner 3s to ensure that the hearings examiners’ orders are understandable, legally sufficient, and complete.
• Use independent judgment in formulating and implementing legal policies and procedures that govern the department’s formal evidentiary hearings, affecting nearly  six million drivers statewide.
• Direct the work of three Hearings Examiners 3s who supervise approximately 20 Hearings Examiners 2s.

Required Qualifications

Applicants who possess the following qualifications may be referred to the hiring manager:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law with J.D. degree and in good standing practicing law in the Washington State Bar Association.
• Five or more years (full-time equivalency) of legal experience.
• Two years’ experience as a supervisor of attorneys, legal professionals, including HR management.
• Knowledge of current management practices, strategic planning principles, and ability to apply and communicate those principles effectively.
• Proven ability to promote and foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and work force with ethics and integrity.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated team-orientation with excellent management and interpersonal skills, exhibiting the ability to listen, understand, analyze, and respond to stakeholder, customer, management, programmatic, and employee needs.

**Must pass criminal background check and be a member of the WSBA in good standing.**

Salary: Negotiable based on experience.