Legal Manager

The Washington State Gambling Commission is seeking a Legal Manager.  The position reports to the Deputy Director and oversees the legal and public disclosure activities for the agency. The Legal Manager is delegated the authority and responsibility for administration of the activities and staff of the Legal and Records Unit.
 
Legal work, which includes:

• Initiating administrative actions against licensed or certified individuals and businesses in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act based on violations of the gambling laws, agency rules, and/or Tribal­ State Compacts.
• Staying abreast of commercial, nonprofit, and tribal case law changes in the gambling industry and determining the impacts.        ·
• Providing legal support to the tribal negotiations team.
• Providing expert level legal guidance to agency leadership and staff as it relates to gambling and regulatory activities. 
• Serving as the agency's point of contact for non-personnel civil litigation brought against the agency.
• Public disclosure program to ensure agency compliance with the Public Records Act and mitigation of risk through timely and responsive requests

Who We Are: 
The Washington State Gambling Commission is a state accredited, limited-jurisdiction law enforcement agency whose mission is to “protect the public by ensuring that gambling is legal and honest.” We license and regulate an estimated $3.5 billion gambling industry comprised of Tribal, commercial, and nonprofit businesses.

Why Join Our Team:
The Gambling Commission is committed to recruiting and retaining top-notch employees.  Our managers are committed to offering flexible schedules and telework options for many positions.  We value and support an inclusive work environment where our staff are seen and heard.

Among some of the benefits we offer:

• Professional development opportunities.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility.
• A comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of you and your family. Beyond the traditional benefits such as Health, Life Insurance, Retirement, and related benefits, we offer Flex Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Assistance, Deferred Compensation and so much more.

About the Opportunity:
As the Legal Manager, you’ll have full authority to make day-to day decisions for the Legal and Records Unit to include those concerning administrative actions, managing the day-to-day operations, and managing workload of the Legal and Records Unit including providing an appropriate amount of oversight and direction of the staff's work to ensure performance measures are met.
 
For typical administrative cases, the Legal Manager has full authority to use independent judgment to determine the facts and violations to be included in charging documents, and to determine the terms of settlement. For all cases assigned to the Legal and Records Unit, the Legal Manager evaluates the strength of case and evidence gathered.
 
The Legal Manager also has full authority on when and how to consult with the Assistant Attorney General assigned to cases, including determining the level of coordination needed, determining who responds to discovery requests, hearing preparation, and similar matters.
 
Some of what you will do: 

• Serve as a member of the agency's Leadership Team.
• Provide legal guidance to the Director, leadership, staff, and to teams.
• Actively participate in and lead agency teams and workgroups.
• Develop, implement, review, and update the agency’s public disclosure program ensuring compliance with the Public Records Act. 
• Develop, know, understand, and apply agency policy.
• Recommend changes to RCWs, WACs, and agency policies.
• Serve on the tribal negotiations team to provide legal support.
• Personally work on the most complex, high level administrative cases. 
• Review all changes and settlement offers before issuance.
• Serve as agency point of contact and coordinates agency non-personnel civil litigation.
• Make effective employee selection and staff decisions.
• Develop, compile, and evaluate Unit performance measures. 
• Supervise, coach and train assigned staff of three, (Public Records Officer, Forms and Records Analyst, and a Staff Attorney). 

What we’re looking for:   
We seek an inspirational, ethical leader; a Legal Manager with the skills and ability to create a positive work environment. An open, honest, and transparent communicator who welcomes, develops, and advances a diverse mix of perspectives of differing thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences. A coach and mentor that values the growth of individuals as organizational growth and can effectively manage performance in a way that invites success.  
 
Required education, experience, and competencies:

• Current member of the Washington State Bar Association in good standing.
• At least three years of experience in adjudicative proceedings under the Administrative Procedure Act or comparable procedure before public entities.
• Demonstrated ability at managing and achieving successful results with large complex projects.
• Work independently to manage workload, procedural deadlines, and analyze issues.
• Give sound legal guidance based on knowledge of specific laws, rules, and policies, as well as past practices and decisions.
• Strong negotiating skills and experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the public, Commissioners, Tribal leaders, licensees, and other governmental agencies and bodies. Must have the ability to do impromptu speaking and answer questions without the benefit of consulting others. For work involving cases, ability to communicate effectively with agents and with applicants and licensees, who may represent themselves (pro se) in adjudicative proceedings.
• Understand the principles of rules of civil procedure, administrative law and procedure, and rules of evidence.
• Leadership, Communication, Relationship Building, Customer Focus, Ethics and Integrity, Diversity, Accountability, and Initiative are required competencies.

Preferred/Desired: 

• Knowledge of the Gambling Act, Commission rules, Tribal-State Compacts, the Administrative Procedure Act, Rules of Civil Procedure, Regulatory Fairness Act, Public Records Act, some criminal laws and penalties and seizure/forfeiture laws.
• Understanding of tort liability.
• Knowledge of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and corresponding case law, and Tribal-State Compacts.
• Experience in supervising legal staff.

The Washington State Gambling Commission is a licensing, regulatory, and law enforcement agency.   Applicants must be willing to undergo and be able to pass an extensive background investigation, which includes a criminal history check, credit check and fingerprinting.  Information obtained from background checks will not necessarily preclude employment.  If hired, employees must adhere to agency policy of prohibiting employees from serving as officers or managers of any corporation or organization that conducts a lottery or gambling activity. Employees may not gamble in any gambling licensed activities in the state of Washington.

HOW TO APPLY
 Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:

• Letter of formal application that addresses your interest in the position and ability to perform the responsibilities described in this announcement.
• Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
• List of at least three professional references with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.

Other Important Information:
 It is highly encouraged to apply before December 10, 2024.  We will begin reviewing applications as applications are received. 

Our expected timeline:

• Application review will be ongoing
• Candidates identified and invited to interview week of December 17th.
• Interviews will be held in-person at the Federal Way field office

While application review will be ongoing, it is in your best interest to apply for this position sooner rather than later as the hiring manager may close this job posting at any time once there is a sufficient candidate pool.

The Washington State Gambling Commission is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals with disabilities needing assistance in the application process or needing this job announcement in an alternative format should provide contact information via email to recruitment@wsgc.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
 
For questions regarding this recruitment announcement, email us at recruitment@wsgc.wa.gov or call (360) 252-9964.

Salary : $91,008 - $117,876