Oferta de trabajo: Hearing Examiner 3 - Appeals

Do you have experience in administrative, judicial, or civil hearings, or have you served in a Pro Tem capacity? Are you interested in applying your legal expertise to complex issues regarding retirement law and statutes? Do you have a desire to contribute to public service by ensuring an impartial and procedurally sound process while making decisions that can significantly affect individuals' retirement rights and benefits? If you answered yes, then the half-time position of Hearings Examiner 3 -- *Appeals *at the Department of Retirement Systems may be the ideal opportunity for you!

Duties:

This recruitment will remain open until filled. Applicants who apply prior to February 18, 2025, will get first consideration. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time during the recruitment process. 

This position is overtime-exempt and is expected work approximately half-time (50%); however, additional hours may be required when presiding at in-person hearings across the state.

The Opportunity: *We are searching for a Hearings Examiner to preside over the hearing process for appeals filed by members, retirees, beneficiaries, potential beneficiaries, and employers of the eight retirement systems and 15 retirement plans administered by DRS. The work performed by this position helps ensure members receive the benefits they have earned while in public service, and that the agency is acting in compliance with applicable statutes and rules. *Some of what you'll do includes:

• Presiding over appeal hearings in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Model Rules of Procedures, and the Washington Administrative Code.
• Guiding parties through pre-hearing preparation, setting hearing dates, scheduling in-person hearings when appropriate, providing pre-hearing scheduling orders, addressing discovery issues and issuing written orders regarding pre-hearing motions.
• Controlling the presentation of testimony during hearings, swearing in witnesses, ruling on the admission of evidence, and ensuring a complete and clear record.
• Reviewing hearing transcripts, exhibits admitted at the hearing, and arguments provided by the parties. Researching the applicable rules and statues associated with the issue on appeal.        
• Providing a written order that contains an analysis of the issue on appeal, the findings of facts, and conclusions of law.

Flexible/Hybrid Schedule information: * At the discretion of the Hiring Manager and the Appointing Authority and with a telework agreement in place, you may be eligible to work remotely most days once you have learned the role and job expectations. The ability to work remotely is dependent on the nature of the tasks and projects assigned and the presence of a remote work environment that is safe and has an appropriate level of reliable connectivity. You must live within a reasonable commuting distance (up to 2 hours commute time) to the DRS building in Tumwater, WA, and you must be willing and able to adjust your telework schedule, whenever necessary, to complete work assignments, attend mandatory meetings, trainings, etc., at the DRS facility.* 

Qualifications:

*What we're looking for (required qualifications):* **

A Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school and membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association; and

At least three (3) years of experience in adjudicative proceedings under the Administrative Procedure Act (or comparable procedures) before a public entity; and

Understanding of the