Administrative Law Judge 3 (Pro Tem)

Closes: Continuous

Location: Statewide.

Salary: $30.26 - $38.74 per hour.

Agency Profile: The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) conducts fair and independent due process hearings and issues sound and timely decisions for a wide variety of state and local agencies. OAH’s mission is to hold fair and independent hearings for the public and for government agencies, and to issue sound and timely decisions. OAH strives to be the top central-panel agency in the United States.

OAH has offices in Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, and Yakima.

See the OAH website at www.oah.wa.gov.

Position Specifics: OAH is developing a pool of people interested in working as an ALJ Pro Tem. Applications received from this recruitment will be used to fill positions as they occur statewide. Please indicate on your state application which location(s) you are interested in.

ALJ Pro Tems may conduct several types of hearings, including, but not limited to child support, public assistance, unemployment compensation, professional licensing, and other governmental benefit programs.

Principal Responsibilities: ALJs provide high quality and timely administrative hearings and decisions pursuant to RCW Chapter 34.05 and other applicable laws consistent with the requirements of due process, and provides courteous and fair treatment to all concerned. The ALJ works as a team in an OAH field office to support and carry out the agency mission, vision, values, and goals.

The ALJ is responsible for: (1) managing his/her own caseload including all prehearing, hearing, and post hearing matters; (2) making a clear and complete hearing record; and (3) issuing timely decisions. The ALJ must notify the supervising ALJ if unable to cover caseload or meet timelines.

Required Qualifications/Experience:

• A Juris Doctorate degree and a minimum of five years of legal experience.

• Active or Judicial member of the Washington State Bar Association or such a member of any state’s bar association.

• Demonstrated knowledge of administrative law and procedures.

• ALJs must have the ability to manage stressful situations and emotional parties. Hearings are often litigated very aggressively and emotionally and require an administrative law judge who can control and guide the process effectively.

Required Competencies:

The successful candidate will:

Conduct fair and impartial hearings for all parties as assigned.

Interact with the public, support staff and other ALJs with judicial demeanor at all times.

Assist other ALJs with workload as needed.

Analyze legal issues/problems and apply legal principles and precedents with a commitment to making an unbiased and legally correct decision.

Speak and write clearly and effectively.

Read exhibits, pleadings, and legal reference material.

Develop and maintain current knowledge of administrative rules and other substantive law for ALJs assigned caseloads.

Travel statewide as required.

Work as a team to support and carry out the agency mission, vision, values and goals.

Review case files in preparation for hearing.

Answer inquiries from parties, representatives and witnesses while avoiding improper ex parte contact.

Rule on prehearing motions, including subpoenas.

Be available and prepared to conduct hearings at the scheduled time. Be available to substitute for other ALJs as needed.

Maintain appropriate judicial decorum and judicial demeanor throughout each hearing and in all dealings with the public and co-workers. Respond appropriately to any disruption in the proceeding.

Explain succinctly the nature of the proceeding, the process to be used, and further appeal rights.

Swear in witnesses, take testimony, and rule on exhibits. Determine the relevancy of testimony as it is occurring, rule on admissibility of evidence, and deal with difficult persons who are upset or are having difficulty understanding the proceeding.

Determine the necessity for further testimony or exhibits.

Transport equipment and hearing record (including exhibits) to and from official station using appropriate means. Hearing record and equipment may weigh up to 40 pounds.

Issue written initial or final orders containing necessary findings of fact and conclusions of law and disposing of all issues.

Issue initial or final orders within required timelines.

Notify the supervising ALJ if unable to cover caseload or meet timelines.

To Apply: Submit a letter of interest, a resume, a completed Washington State employment application, and a list of three professional references, including their current addresses (and email addresses if known) and telephone numbers to:

The initial screening will be based solely on the information you submit.

The Office of Administrative Hearings is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, disabled veterans, and Vietnam Era veterans are encouraged to apply.

If you are an applicant with a disability and need assistance to pursue the application process, or need this announcement in an alternative format, please contact the ADA Coordinator, Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 42488, Olympia, WA 98504-2488, Telephone: (360) 664-8717. TTY users dial through Washington relay operator (1-800-833-6388).

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