DSHS OOS Chief Review Judge Board of Appeals

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

4d•Remote

About The Position

The law behind a decision matters. As Chief Review Judge (CRJ), you'll lead two teams whose work affects how the Department makes, reviews, and applies administrative decisions, regulations, and policies: the Board of Appeals (BOA) and the Rules and Policies Assistance Unit (RPAU). BOA Review Judges review the record and initial orders from administrative law judges, and apply state and federal law in upholding, modifying, or reversing those orders in Adult Protective Services findings and public benefits decisions. RPAU guides the Department's rulemaking process and the development and publication of administrative policies. Your role is to lead both while protecting the Board of Appeals' independence in deciding individual cases. You'll represent the BOA with Department leadership and help ensure the legal and policy framework—including the Administrative Procedure Act—remains central to the work. We encourage you to apply if you're an attorney who values careful legal analysis and knows how to lead experienced professionals. The people you'll manage know this work well. Your job isn't to arrive with every answer. It's to learn how the work gets done, ask good questions, and know when to provide guidance, make a decision, and trust your staff's expertise. You should also enjoy solving problems without assuming every problem needs your solution. On any given day, you may navigate a legal question, personnel matter, rulemaking issue, or competing priorities. You'll need to understand different perspectives, identify risks, and make sound decisions while maintaining productive working relationships. Your first 90 days are about listening, learning, and building trust. You'll get to know your staff, the work of BOA and RPAU, and the legal and policy framework behind final orders, rulemaking, and administrative policies. The work is currently performed primarily remotely, with staff communicating through Teams, email, and other electronic channels. Future expectations may include more in-office work based on Department direction, operational needs, or the approach of the incoming Chief Review Judge. Within your first year, success means your staff trust your understanding of their work, Department partners can rely on your guidance, and final orders, regulations, and policies continue to be completed professionally, on a strong legal foundation, accurately, and on time.

Requirements

A law degree.
Knowledge of developing, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies in an administrative environment.
Strong legal and analytical judgment, including the ability to identify issues, assess risk, and reach well-supported decisions.
Experience leading experienced professionals, managing competing priorities, and maintaining accountability for high-quality, timely work.
Ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues clearly and work effectively across teams, leadership, and external partners.

Responsibilities

Lead the Board of Appeals and Rules and Policies Assistance Unit while respecting the expertise and independence of experienced staff.
Direct the work of Review Judges who review Administrative Law Judge decisions and issue legally binding final orders.
Protect BOA's independent decision-making role while serving as a connection between Review Judges and Department leadership.
Review draft orders, procedural motions, and requests for extensions.
Guide and review Department rulemaking and administrative policy work, including proposed regulations, emergency rules, and policies.
Monitor BOA caseloads and the timely completion of final orders, regulations, and policies.
Oversee the Department's agreement with the Office of Administrative Hearings, including reports, compliance, and invoices.
Work with Department leadership, agency partners, and members of the public on appeals, public benefits, rulemaking, and administrative policy.
Lead staff through regular meetings, coaching, performance feedback, evaluations, and training.
Review proposed legislation during legislative sessions as needed.