Hearing Examiner - Council (Z2 : Council Guidelines)
Hearing Examiner - Council (Z2 : Council Guidelines)
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Job Description
Summary
OVERVIEW
King County Washington is one of the largest most dynamic counties in the United States with 2.3 million residents and more than 2000 square miles of urban rural farmland and forested area. The legislative branch of King County government is represented by the Metropolitan King County Council a nonpartisan nine-member body that sets policies enacts laws and adopts budgets that guide an array of public services.
The King County Council is currently seeking a fair-minded experienced administrative hearings professional to lead the Hearing Examiners Office.
The Hearing Examiner is appointed by the Council for a renewable term under the guidelines set forth in King County Code Section 20.22. The Hearing Examiner reports to the Chair of the King County Council with a dotted-line relationship to the Councils Chief of Staff.
Job Duties
As the director of an independent agency the Hearing Examiner serves in a high-visibility position with significant autonomy. Thus the responsibilities of the office must be carried out with the utmost integrity and judiciousness.
Key duties include:
- Schedule and conduct timely and efficient quasi-judicial hearings and pre-hearing proceedings on a variety of subject matters including cases of original jurisdiction and appeals from agency decisions.
- Draft legally sound and cogent findings of fact decisions or other communications for the HEO and the King County Personnel Board.
- Supervise and support HEO staff and pro tem Examinersassigning cases overseeing management of case files and ensuring that work is performed accurately and in compliance with applicable laws standards and best practices.
- Engage in continuous improvement reviewing and revising procedural rules for the conduct of public hearings as needed.
- Advise the King County Council on areas where County regulations and policy can be revised clarified and strengthened.
- Collaborate with Council staff County agencies the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office and other interested parties as needed to research clarify and convey information.
- Periodically provide public briefings at Council meetings and respond to requests for information.
- Ensure smooth operations of the Hearing Examiners Office including preparing and administering the office budget.
Experience Qualifications Knowledge Skills
Candidates must have at a minimum any combination of education and experience equivalent to the following:
- A Juris Doctor from an accredited law schoolor the successful completion of a Law Clerk programand be an active attorney with membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar;
- Five years of progressively responsible experience conducting or assisting with administrative hearings or other contested cases or experience adjudicating matters in areas applicable to the Countys hearing process.
- Three years of supervisory or program management experience.
- Candidates who have experience with planning and land use issues such as land development processes zoning permitting are preferred.
In addition to the above the most successful applicants will demonstrate the following skills and abilities:
- Advanced knowledge of King County and municipal code provisions; federal state and local laws; court decisions; and other legal requirements relevant to quasi-judicial administrative hearings including rules of evidence and procedure.
- Project management skills to be able to organize and oversee complex assignments implement policies and processes and develop ideas from concept to completion.
- Advanced verbal and written communication skills including the ability to write decisions reports and other documents that convey complex sensitive issues in a thoughtful and accessible manner.
- A high level of emotional intelligence and ability to work with diverse people in a variety of settings including situations that are emotionally charged or controversial.
- The ability to develop and foster a positive professional working environment that respects peoples differences promotes professional development and well-being and applies equity and social justice principles to all interactions.
Supplemental Information
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND A STRONG WORK CULTURE
We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice employee engagement innovative thinking and continuous improvement. With this commitment King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all residents regardless of their race or income. In addition the King County Legislative Branch has adopted a Code of Conduct that guides our interactions and promotes a positive thriving work culture.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSThe salary range for the Hearing Examiner position is $174753to$ 235023depending upon qualifications. King County offers an excellent benefits package including retirement provided through the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) offered through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems; insurance options including medical dental vision and life; paid vacation sick leave 12 holidays per year and two personal holidays; a hybrid work schedule; and up to $15000 in relocation expenses.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
A standard workweek for most Legislative Branch employees is 35 hours. This position may occasionally require non-traditional work hours and possible travel throughout the King County area. The King County Council is a hybrid work environment with a combination of telework and in-person work. Hearing Examiner proceedings are typically conducted remotely with parties participating by videoconference.
All King County employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive resume compelling cover letter and legal writing sample through King Countys online application system no later than 11:59 PM on Sunday June 8 2025.Emailed mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. Please do not include additional materials.
Application Requirements
Please include the following in your application packet. Incomplete applications might not be considered.
(1) A comprehensive resume(2) A cover letter demonstrating:- your interest in the position
- why you are qualified to hold the position
- your understanding of the law and the process for conducting quasi-judicial hearings
- any experience managing people and budgets
(3) A legal writing sample that demonstrates your ability to research analyze and apply the law in a clear and cogent manner.Interview Process
This recruitment will include a series of interviews including a final interview before the King County Councils Employment and Administration Committee. Candidates selected to participate in interviews must complete a reference check prior to the interview and finalists will be required to undergo a comprehensive background check before the final interview. Candidates will also be expected to participate in a timed writing exercise to be scheduled separately.
Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)
MILESTONE DATES Application Period May 12 - June 8 2025 Application Review Period
June 9 - 19 2025 First Round Interview
Week of June 23 2025 Second Round Interview
Week of July 7 2025 Final Interview with Council
Week of July 21 2025 ACCESSIBILITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Please contact Deandra Stanley HR Managerat if you need this announcement in an alternate language or format would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you would like to have a confidential discussion about this opportunity.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions including but not limited to recruitment hiring selection for training promotion transfer demotion layoff termination rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
Note:If you are requesting veterans preference please be sure to upload a copy of your DD214 and/or Veterans administration letter stating your disability. Veterans preference documentation must be submitted by the closing time of this announcement.
Job Classification: 007040 Hearing Examiner Council
Employment Type
Full Time
