Director, Administrative Law Division

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-01456
Department: Utilities and Transportation Commission
Division: Administrative Law
Opening Date: 03/03/2025
Closing Date: 3/23/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.

Help protect the consumers of Washington state!
Director, Administrative Law Division
The 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 Principles
Consistently 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.
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.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

• Active Washington State Bar license, as a lawyer or under judicial status.
• Practicing attorney for a minimum of five (5) years as a member of the WSBA or other state bar association.
• Significant knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Demonstrated work experience as an administrative law judge or commissioner within a state or federal utility commission.
• Demonstrated work experience serving as an attorney or assistant attorney general in matters involving utility regulation.

Note: The commission may also consider progressively responsible service as an Administrative Law Judge, a commissioner, or an attorney in regulatory areas other than utility regulation; service in regulatory legal positions involving the application of law to facts and legal writing.
AND
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated effective supervisory skills, through effectively supporting or leading a team of individuals.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills by effectively gathering, interpreting, and evaluating data to support decision making process.
• Proficient ability to convey information clearly and effectively both oral and written communication.
• Outstanding Judicial temperament, including the ability to be objective, balance competing interests, manage an administrative hearing, and develop and implement policies consistent with applicable law and record evidence.
• Proficient knowledge of rules governing the admissibility of evidence and procedural issues consistent with pertinent law.
• Exceptional ability to work effectively as part of a team with commissioners, advisors, staff, parties, and interested individuals.
• Effective team management skills, demonstrating conflict management skills, including ability to calmly manage disputes between litigation parties, as well as between participants in agency proceedings.
• Proficient ability to prepare and provide accurate detail-oriented written orders in a complex litigation with multiple parties in a timely manner.
• Proficient organizational skills and attention to detail in ensuring hearings are scheduled promptly and in accordance with established timeframes.
• Demonstrated proficiency in keeping interested parties informed, to include but not limited to the Executive Director/Secretary and Commissioners.

Demonstration of EDI Competencies (expected of all LEADERSHIP employees)

• Advocates and Models our Culture and Value
• Cultivates a Shared, Strategic Vision for EDI
• Fosters Learning
• Makes the commission more accessible to underrepresented and marginalized communities
• Leads and Navigates Change
• Embraces and Embeds EDI in Decision-making

Demonstration of UTC Values (expected of all employees)

• 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.

Demonstration of UTC Core Competencies (expected of all employees)

Accountability - With courage, we hold ourselves and each other accountable for exhibiting respect, professionalism, and integrity.
DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment - Ability to be exposed to, know, and understand the language and concepts of DEI and be committed to being part of creating, maintaining, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth - Engages in self-reflection, lifelong learning, and growth.
Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships - Conducts 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 - Ability 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 Success and Improvement - Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and continually improve strategies that promote equity and inclusion in their organization and with the communities they serve.
Customer Focus - Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customers to identify needs; assumes responsibility for their own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback.
Results Focus - Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately, overcomes obstacles, works with others as necessary, and meets deadlines and quality standards.
Communication Skills - Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
Self-Development - Demonstrate proactive learning. Keep knowledge and skills up to date. Solicit and accept constructive feedback. Seek developmental assignments to improve skills. Turn challenges into learning opportunities
Continuous Process Improvement - Utilizes Lean tools and principles to continuously identify improvements, solve problems, and improve work processes. Participates with process improvement projects/teams. Actively engages in section/division huddles and incorporates visual management into daily work.
Leadership Principles

• Set the example - Hold yourself and your colleagues accountable to act and manage according to the commission's values and management principles. Seek feedback from team members and other managers. Always treat everyone with respect; remember your rank makes your voice louder. Actively support management decisions, even if you do not fully agree with them. Respect management and personnel confidentiality. Demonstrate professional support to members of the management team.
• Strengthen others - Be a coach. Provide new work experiences to develop needed knowledge and skills. Ensure each team member gets training and appropriately applies that training on the job. Reward the behavior you want repeated. Foster accountability for both individuals and the team. Encourage a culture and practice of continuous improvement. Delegate. Explain the requirements of key laws and rules, agency policies, and the contract with the Federation. Create an environment in which individuals and the team can experiment and take risks.
• Recognize contributions - Set clear expectations and challenging but attainable goals. Provide ongoing, timely, and constructive feedback, complete timely performance appraisals. Recognize contributions and successes. Say thank you, often and with sincerity. Be thoughtful. Celebrate accomplishments in public. Have fun together. Participate in organizational events.
• Foster collaboration - Foster trust and respect within your section and between your section and others. Share information and resources across section and division lines. Develop cooperative goals and roles. Structure projects to promote joint efforts.
• Envision the future - Develop and communicate a long-term vision for your industry or program that is consistent with the commission's vision and direction. Help others see how their interests and the vision are aligned. Balance short and long-term goals. Demonstrate an awareness of external environment and trends.
• Manage your program - Take steps to understand customer needs, be responsive to those needs, and ensure you and your team meet all commitments to customers. Consistently and appropriately apply administrative policies to section operations and personnel. Share information, appropriately and timely, internally and externally. Set standards for the quality and timeliness of section work products, actively monitor those standards. Provide input to agency standards, policies, procedures and expectations. Address issues disrupting team functioning, facilitate resolution of conflicts. Communicate the decisions made by senior management to team members. Develop annual business plans aligned with agency goals and strategic plan, contributes to development of agency strategic plans. Hold all team members accountable for meeting performance expectations.
• Challenge your business processes - Devote resources to improving how you and team members do your work and use technology with Lean principles in mind. Adapt regulatory principles as needed to do your work better, faster, and cheaper. Seek ideas from outside the commission. Experiment and take risks. Encourage new ideas from team members. Sponsor pilot projects to generate small victories. Apply what you learn from pilot projects to broader changes.

Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• A juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school OR successful completion of a law clerk program pursuant to Washington Admission to Practice Rule (APR) 6.
• Advanced litigation management skills, particularly in complex litigation involving diverse interests advocated by multiple participants.
• Demonstrated understanding of economics, accounting, corporate finance, regulatory rate making, and utility and transportation company operations, as well as public policies that relate.
• Demonstrated understanding of technical and public policy issues and the ability to achieve policies lawfully and consistently.
• Formal training and experience as a mediator or facilitator of decisions in group settings.

Accreditation is recognized by the US Dept. of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent.

Supplemental Information
READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• This position is considered at-will, as such it is exemptedfrom 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/wautc

The State of Washington:
http://access.wa.gov
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022
01

Have you attached the required materials for consideration, which includes your letter of interest, resume, professional writing sample, and three (3) professional references to your application, one (1) of which being from your current or most recent supervisor?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess an active Washington State Bar license, as a lawyer or under judicial status, and been a practicing attorney for a minimum of five (5) years as a member of the WSBA or other state bar association?

• I possess the required qualifications as outlined above.
• I do not possess the qualifications as outlined.

03

Do you have professional experience serving as an Administrative Law Judge or commissioner within a state or federal utility commission or experience serving as an attorney or Assistant Attorney General in matters involving utility regulation? OR progressively responsible service as an Administrative Law Judge, a commissioner, or an attorney in regulatory areas other than utility; service in regulatory legal positions involving the application of law to facts and legal writing?

• I have less than one (1) year of experience or training.
• I have a minimum of one (1) year of experience, but less than three (3) years.
• I have four (4) to six (6) years of experience.
• I have seven (7) or more years of experience with extensive, polished knowledge.

04

Please briefly describe how you gained your experience related to question three (3). Provide dates, agency/company, and position/role held. Indicate N/A if none.
05

Do you have experience leading a major division of a private or public entity? This includes, but is not limited to staff management, daily operations, budget control, and policy and resource oversight.

• I have less than one (1) year of experience or training.
• I have a minimum of one (1) year of experience, but less than three (3) years.
• I have four (4) to six (6) years of experience.
• I have seven (7) or more years of experience with extensive, polished knowledge.

06

Please briefly describe how you gained your experience related to the question above. Provide dates, agency/company, and position/role held. Please indicate N/A if none.
07

Which best fits your professional experience leading rulemaking proceedings, ensuring all legal requirements are met and that rulemaking orders reflect sound and lawful policies and principles?

• I have less than one (1) year of experience or training.
• I have a minimum of one (1) year of experience, but less than three (3) years.
• I have four (4) to six (6) years of experience.
• I have seven (7) or more years of experience with extensive, polished knowledge.

08

For question seven (7), describe how you gained this professional experience. Provide dates, agency/company, and position/role held. Please indicate N/A if none.
09

Do you hold a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school OR have successfully completed a law clerk program pursuant to Washington Admission to Practice Rule (APR) 6?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered yes to question number nine (9), please briefly describe your educational background. Include dates, institution(s), and relevant courses studied. Indicate N/A if not applicable.
11

Which of the following best describes your experience managing litigations, which may include particularly complex cases involving diverse interests advocated by multiple participants.

• I have less than one (1) year of experience or training.
• I have a minimum of one (1) year of experience, but less than three (3) years.
• I have four (4) to six (6) years of experience.
• I have seven (7) or more years of experience with extensive, polished knowledge.

12

Do you have formal training and experience as a mediator or facilitator of decisions in group settings?

• Yes
• No

Required Question