Administrative Appeals Judge (Exempt)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a unique opportunity to be a judge for Washington State’s quasi-judicial environmental boards. With your experience you will help the Pollution Control Hearings Board and Shorelines Hearings Board issue decisions on important environmental matters impacting Washington’s natural resources, citizens, communities, and economies. ELUHO Offers: A highly diverse case portfolio of environmental legal issues Cutting edge cases with legal issues of first impression Opportunity to work directly with top environmental lawyers across the state and nation Mentorship by experienced environmental attorneys Opportunity to gain experience as an impartial mediator and judge Camaraderie in a supportive team atmosphere Training and development opportunities Comprehensive compensation packages, including benefits and paid leave The fulfillment of public service A healthy work/life balance About us: The Environmental and Land Use Hearings Office (ELUHO) is a small state agency that supports three independent, quasi-judicial boards: the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB), the Shorelines Hearings Board (SHB), and the Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB). Together, ELUHO and the boards strive to provide an easily accessible forum for independent, expeditious, and efficient review of various state agency and local government environmental and land use decisions. The Pollution Control Hearings Board was created in 1970 and reviews environmental permitting and enforcement decisions. Respondents to Board cases include the Department of Ecology, local air pollution control authorities, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local agencies such as ports and municipalities. There are over 40 separate environmental statutes that are appealable to the Pollution Control Hearings Board. Jurisdictional areas include water and air pollution, water resources, hydraulic project approvals, forest practices, toxic pollution, oil spills and hazardous waste, dairy nutrient management, floodplain management, solid waste, surface mining, greenhouse gas emissions – cap and invest, derelict vessels, and several other areas. The SHB was established in 1971 and reviews permitting and enforcement decisions of local governments and the Department of Ecology under the Shoreline Management Act. The boards’ appeal processes provide citizens with accessible administrative review of agency environmental decisions made by the state and non-state agencies. The boards issue decisions setting forth legal analyses of claims, and if a case goes to hearing, the boards issue findings of fact and conclusions of law that inform all parties of the reasons for the decision. Most cases before the PCHB and SHB are reviewed de novo. Parties can appeal board decisions to the courts. ELUHO values diversity and provides a workplace inclusive of different cultures, backgrounds, and ideas. We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees and their families. We support healthy lifestyles and a healthy work/life balance, and we aim to provide employees with professional development opportunities.

Requirements

Admitted to the practice of law in Washington, and a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
Knowledge of environmental law, as demonstrated by legal research, legal writing, coursework, or practice experience.
A valid Driver’s License, free from serious traffic violations.
Excellent legal analysis and writing skills.
Demonstrated knowledge of environmental law.
Prepared to independently analyze, connect, and conduct research on a vast array of complex environmental legal issues.
Effectively communicate legal theories, recommendations and arguments verbally and in writing.
Able to learn, retain, and apply rules and procedures related to environmental and administrative law.
Ability to assume a judicial temperament by remaining impartial, considering competing arguments, and rendering informed and unbiased recommendations and decisions.
Maintain confidentiality.
Conduct yourself with a commitment to ethics and integrity.
Exercise good judgment in making independent decisions.
Communicate clearly and courteously, earning others’ trust and respect, actively listening, responding timely, and building constructive working relationships.
Adaptable to changing priorities.
Effectively manage stressful or adverse situations.
Demonstrate tact and diplomacy in your interactions.
Accountability.
Dependability.
Attention to detail.
Office technology skills.
Workload management.
Legal research and writing capabilities.
Proofreading.
Recognizing and applying legal terminology and citations.
Knowledge retention.
Active listening.
Team building.
Demonstrated self-awareness and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Experienced professional who values teamwork and wants to be part of an agency where you are respected and valued.
Take pride in your work and are looking for meaningful employment in a setting that cultivates growth and longevity.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge of administrative law and procedures.
Experience as an adjudicator, hearings examiner or presiding officer.
Experience as a mediator, or a willingness to complete a course of training in mediation skills.
Litigation experience.

Responsibilities

Preside over prehearing conferences and hearings to ensure fairness.
Issue legally sound procedural decisions.
Be responsible for the overall case management of assigned cases.
Conduct legal research.
Provide high quality and timely draft decisions to the boards on all substantive issues.
Conduct mediations with PCHB and SHB parties to achieve mutual resolution.
Provide parties with procedural assistance.
Interact directly with hearing participants and provide due process in an efficient, effective, and ethical manner.
Work closely with PCHB and SHB members, legal support staff, administrative staff and management to foster an environment that supports the mission, vision, values and goals of ELUHO.
Assist with open public meetings, public records requests, case files and organization, employee trainings, and other administrative areas.