What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Administrative Law Division position at State of Washington?
JOB
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONRespect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.Help protect the consumers of Washington state!Director, Administrative Law DivisionThe starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $124,392 - $136,512 annually. However, there is an ability for growth and development in this salary for the individual once employed.This recruitment is open until March 23, 2025, at 11:59pm. The first review of applications will take place on March 14, it is within your best interest to apply as soon as is possible to be included in the first review. UTC reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time after seven (7) calendar days.The Opportunity: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill the role of Director of the Administrative Law Division to shape the overall policy and operational direction of the division in its role providing independent legal and procedural guidance and expert technical analysis of policy and regulatory issues to the Commissioners and agency leadership. Hybrid: Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building when needed. Travel: Occasional travel is required, typically local, to meet with co-workers or stakeholders from other agencies and/or organizations. Travel may occur during and/or outside normal work hours throughout the state for business needs.Who We Are: Our mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, equitable, reliable, and fairly priced. We protect consumers by regulating the rates, services, and practices of private or investor-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure they are safe, equitable, reliable, and affordable. The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency, as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington State. We recognize that our employees are the key to the agency’s success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth, and offers continuing learning opportunities, meaningful work, and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website. What We Offer Our Employees: UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve. We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan. Throughout the calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.Our Values: Respect - We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.Professionalism - We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.Integrity - We do the right things for the right reasons - trusting others to do the same.Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Competencies: EDI Knowledge, Understanding & Commitment: This competency evaluates the ability of state employees to be exposed to, know, and understand the language and concepts of EDI and be committed to being part of creating, maintain, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth: This competency evaluates how state employees engage in self-reflection, lifelong learning, and growth.Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships: This competency evaluates how state employees will conduct themselves in a manner that builds trust, enhances work relationships, and meaningfully partner and engage with those they serve and serve with.Inclusive Excellence & Allyship: This competency evaluates the ability of state employees to demonstrate that all people are valued and engaged as members of the group, team, organization, or community through equitable, inclusive, and respectful behavior.Measuring for Success and Improvement: This competency evaluates the ability of state employees to develop, implement, evaluate, and continually improve strategies that promote equity and inclusion in their organization and with the communities they serve.UTC Leadership PrinciplesConsistently reflect the commission’s leadership principles in how you behave, interact with others, and in the decisions you make in your work. Among those, actively support the direction of the commission. Work cooperatively on issues and to find solutions that meet the needs of the whole commission, not just individual section needs. Communicate and carry out the decisions of the management team in a complete and timely manner.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The Position: Reporting to the Executive Director and Secretary of the UTC, provides leadership and coordination for all litigation before the commission, including complex, high stakes, multi-party hearings relating to regulation of utility and transportation companies. The Director manages decision-making processes that have significant long-range impacts in constantly evolving regulatory frameworks and embraces a collaborative, teamwork driven approach to change management. What You’ll Do: Administer the commission's formal case docket and provide procedural, substantive legal, and policy counsel ensuring commission orders reflect sound and lawful policies and principles. The incumbent will oversee rulemaking proceedings in conjunction with professional staff to ensure that all legal requirements are met, and orders reflect sound and lawful policies and principles. The Director serves as principal contact for communication with external interests in matters relating to procedures and processes. The Director reviews complaints proposed by commission staff to initiate against regulated companies, ensuring that a probable cause exists to initiate the complaint. In addition, reviews petitions, complaints, and other requests from parties outside the commission to initiate a formal adjudication to determine whether to initiate an adjudication, subject to the Commissioners' review. The Director is responsible for individual adjudications or rulemakings as an administrative law judge as the need arises. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for scheduling administrative hearings, assignment of judges, reviewing initial orders for sound and lawful decision making, assisting the Commissioners with final orders on review of initial orders, approving the issuance of all notices and entry of all initial orders, considering leave requests, and preparing employee evaluations for the administrative law judges.Additional duties include, but aren’t limited to the following: Serve as the director and principal operating administrator of the division, providing overall management, legal guidance, resource management, and administrative direction to administrative law judges.Direct internal legal staff and administrative law judges in the disposition of adjudicative proceedings.Represent the commission on regulatory issues of interest and at various functions for regulated companies, private businesses, and state and national organizations. Works closely with the industry attorneys to coordinate workshops on regulatory issues.Management of caseload so that initial review, date of hearing, close of record, and issuance of decision occur within timelines established for each type of case.Review final drafts of commission orders for legal or policy deficiencies and coordinates production and entry of final orders.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY: This position is considered at-will, as such it is exempted from civil service rules. This position is overtime exempt from the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.Ensure the accuracy, spelling, and grammar of your application and any requested attachments before submitting.How to Apply: If you’re interested in joining our Team, please read the instructions below carefully; click “Apply” at the top of the page to begin the process. Your application will only be considered complete if the following attachments are submitted in addition. Please note, see resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application or supplemental questionnaire.Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate. Resume detailing your applicable experience and education.A Brief Legal Writing Sample, preferably no more than ten (10) pages that you have written without contribution, assistance, or substantive editing by anyone else demonstrating your professional work.References: At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses; one (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application, including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire, along with the required attachments - letter of interest, resume, writing sample, and references submitted as part of the application process. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required for verification. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation.Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact humanresources@utc.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.For more information about the UTC, please visit: www.utc.wa.gov, www.twitter.com/wautc and www.facebook.com/wautcThe State of Washington: http://access.wa.gov
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONRespect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.Help protect the consumers of Washington state!Director, Administrative Law DivisionThe starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $124,392 - $136,512 annually. However, there is an ability for growth and development in this salary for the individual once employed.This recruitment is open until March 23, 2025, at 11:59pm. The first review of applications will take place on March 14, it is within your best interest to apply as soon as is possible to be included in the first review. UTC reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time after seven (7) calendar days.The Opportunity: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill the role of Director of the Administrative Law Division to shape the overall policy and operational direction of the division in its role providing independent legal and procedural guidance and expert technical analysis of policy and regulatory issues to the Commissioners and agency leadership. Hybrid: Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building when needed. Travel: Occasional travel is required, typically local, to meet with co-workers or stakeholders from other agencies and/or organizations. Travel may occur during and/or outside normal work hours throughout the state for business needs.Who We Are: Our mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, equitable, reliable, and fairly priced. We protect consumers by regulating the rates, services, and practices of private or investor-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure they are safe, equitable, reliable, and affordable. The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency, as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington State. We recognize that our employees are the key to the agency’s success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth, and offers continuing learning opportunities, meaningful work, and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website. What We Offer Our Employees: UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve. We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan. Throughout the calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.Our Values: Respect - We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.Professionalism - We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.Integrity - We do the right things for the right reasons - trusting others to do the same.Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Competencies: EDI Knowledge, Understanding & Commitment: This competency evaluates the ability of state employees to be exposed to, know, and understand the language and concepts of EDI and be committed to being part of creating, maintain, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth: This competency evaluates how state employees engage in self-reflection, lifelong learning, and growth.Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships: This competency evaluates how state employees will conduct themselves in a manner that builds trust, enhances work relationships, and meaningfully partner and engage with those they serve and serve with.Inclusive Excellence & Allyship: This competency evaluates the ability of state employees to demonstrate that all people are valued and engaged as members of the group, team, organization, or community through equitable, inclusive, and respectful behavior.Measuring for Success and Improvement: This competency evaluates the ability of state employees to develop, implement, evaluate, and continually improve strategies that promote equity and inclusion in their organization and with the communities they serve.UTC Leadership PrinciplesConsistently reflect the commission’s leadership principles in how you behave, interact with others, and in the decisions you make in your work. Among those, actively support the direction of the commission. Work cooperatively on issues and to find solutions that meet the needs of the whole commission, not just individual section needs. Communicate and carry out the decisions of the management team in a complete and timely manner.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The Position: Reporting to the Executive Director and Secretary of the UTC, provides leadership and coordination for all litigation before the commission, including complex, high stakes, multi-party hearings relating to regulation of utility and transportation companies. The Director manages decision-making processes that have significant long-range impacts in constantly evolving regulatory frameworks and embraces a collaborative, teamwork driven approach to change management. What You’ll Do: Administer the commission's formal case docket and provide procedural, substantive legal, and policy counsel ensuring commission orders reflect sound and lawful policies and principles. The incumbent will oversee rulemaking proceedings in conjunction with professional staff to ensure that all legal requirements are met, and orders reflect sound and lawful policies and principles. The Director serves as principal contact for communication with external interests in matters relating to procedures and processes. The Director reviews complaints proposed by commission staff to initiate against regulated companies, ensuring that a probable cause exists to initiate the complaint. In addition, reviews petitions, complaints, and other requests from parties outside the commission to initiate a formal adjudication to determine whether to initiate an adjudication, subject to the Commissioners' review. The Director is responsible for individual adjudications or rulemakings as an administrative law judge as the need arises. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for scheduling administrative hearings, assignment of judges, reviewing initial orders for sound and lawful decision making, assisting the Commissioners with final orders on review of initial orders, approving the issuance of all notices and entry of all initial orders, considering leave requests, and preparing employee evaluations for the administrative law judges.Additional duties include, but aren’t limited to the following: Serve as the director and principal operating administrator of the division, providing overall management, legal guidance, resource management, and administrative direction to administrative law judges.Direct internal legal staff and administrative law judges in the disposition of adjudicative proceedings.Represent the commission on regulatory issues of interest and at various functions for regulated companies, private businesses, and state and national organizations. Works closely with the industry attorneys to coordinate workshops on regulatory issues.Management of caseload so that initial review, date of hearing, close of record, and issuance of decision occur within timelines established for each type of case.Review final drafts of commission orders for legal or policy deficiencies and coordinates production and entry of final orders.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY: This position is considered at-will, as such it is exempted from civil service rules. This position is overtime exempt from the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.Ensure the accuracy, spelling, and grammar of your application and any requested attachments before submitting.How to Apply: If you’re interested in joining our Team, please read the instructions below carefully; click “Apply” at the top of the page to begin the process. Your application will only be considered complete if the following attachments are submitted in addition. Please note, see resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application or supplemental questionnaire.Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate. Resume detailing your applicable experience and education.A Brief Legal Writing Sample, preferably no more than ten (10) pages that you have written without contribution, assistance, or substantive editing by anyone else demonstrating your professional work.References: At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses; one (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application, including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire, along with the required attachments - letter of interest, resume, writing sample, and references submitted as part of the application process. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required for verification. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation.Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact humanresources@utc.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.For more information about the UTC, please visit: www.utc.wa.gov, www.twitter.com/wautc and www.facebook.com/wautcThe State of Washington: http://access.wa.gov
Salary : $124,392 - $136,512
