Administrative Law Judge

Administrative Law Judge

The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is currently looking to fill multiple temporary Entry and Line Administrative Law Judge positions for multiple caseloads within multiple divisions. These positions may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, depending on caseload-specific operational needs. Some caseloads require periodic in-person hearings, while Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Work Zone Speed Camera (WZSC) caseloads are full-time telework.

Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are critical to the successful fulfillment of the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) mission. Line ALJs contribute by independently managing an assigned caseload; conducting thorough pre-hearing preparation; presiding over hearings that are fair in both substance and appearance; and issuing well-reasoned, timely decisions that meet established agency timeliness standards.

This is a represented position under the Washington Federation of State Employees - Administrative Law Judges (WFSE ALJ) (2025-27).

Applications will be reviewed weekly, and qualified candidates may be invited to interview based on their preferred caseload and the agency's recruitment needs. Applicants who submit complete applications by October 31, 2026, will be considered for the initial round of interviews scheduled for November. Applications received after October 31, 2026, will continue to be reviewed and may be considered for a subsequent round of interviews anticipated in December. Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted directly with additional information regarding interview scheduling. You are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible.

These positions will preside over hearings for one or more of the following caseloads:

• Social and Health Services Division
• Regulatory & Education Division
• Unemployment Insurance Division

About the Agency: The 1981 Legislature created the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) to offer Washingtonians an independent, fair, and neutral forum to hold administrative hearings on disputed matters referred by state and local government agencies.

OAH Mission: To hear and independently resolve disputes between the public and state agencies with an impartial, quick, and easy to access process.

OAH Vision: All people of Washington can meaningfully participate in their hearing and understand the result.

OAH Values: Fairness and independence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect, performance excellence, integrity.

OAH Goals: Performance excellence, convenience & accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect, good stewards.

OAH Offers: Work that is important and makes a difference, in-house training and professional development opportunities, healthy work/life balance, including remote work options, comprehensive benefits package.

Duties include, but are not limited to: managing an assigned workload, maintaining a thorough understanding of statutes, presiding over and ruling on pre-hearing, hearing, and post-hearing matters, using agency equipment and technology systems, making a clear and complete hearing record, writing accurate legal documents, demonstrating judicial demeanor, keeping supervisor timely informed of work progress, following specific work directives of supervisor, maintaining reliable and regular attendance, protecting privileged and confidential information, complying with all office policies, accurately tracking and accounting for case-specific work and non-billable hours, demonstrating respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

Required education and/or experience: an active or judicial membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, five (5) years of experience working as a licensed attorney or one (1) year of full-time experience as an ALJ, clear and effective oral and written communication skills.

To begin the online application process, click the green "Apply" button on this announcement on careers.wa.gov or governmentjobs.com. To be considered for this position, you must include the following information in your online application and complete the supplemental questionnaire. Application materials must clearly show how you meet the qualifications for the position in order to be considered. Application must include: an attached letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position; an attached detailed chronological resume; a completed online application profile that includes education and employment history; three professional references, including at least one supervisor, with current contact information.