Closing Date: 30th April, 2024
Description:
A Government Entity Career OpportunityA Government Entity Insurance Enforcement Unit is seeking motivated and qualified individuals to fill an exempt Insurance Attorney position. This position is assigned to the Legal Affairs Division, located in our Tumwater office.
A Government Entity's Insurance Attorneys work with investigative staff and subject matter experts from around the agency to act against licensed insurance professionals and companies for violations of the insurance code. Enforcement actions range from cease-and-desist orders to compliance plans and fines upwards of seven-figures. Insurance Attorneys litigate these actions at the administrative level, including negotiating appropriate consent orders and settlements. In addition, they aid staff within the agency and participate on teams aimed to develop rules, legislation, initiatives, and other projects. Examples of past and current work includes the implementation of health care reform, the use of consumer credit scores in insurance rates, and industry-wide enforcement of service contractor registration.
If you are interested in putting your legal and writing skills to work in a complex and dynamic regulatory environment, and you would like to protect consumer's interests while promoting a healthy insurance market for Washington State, please apply and become part of our team!
This is a civil service exempt position and salary depends on qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $79,620 - $119,430.
Agency Profile and Values
A Government Entity operates under the direction of the state's Insurance Commissioner, a statewide elected official. Our mission is to provide consumer protection and regulation of the state's insurance industry.
With a workforce of approximately 265 employees, we are one of the smaller state agencies in Washington state government and are fortunate to have a stable funding source that does not rely on the state's general fund.
Because we are a small agency, you will truly get a chance to understand the “big picture” of what we do and why we do it. You will also have a chance to get to know your co-workers.
We have high employee satisfaction scores, and we value diversity in the workplace. We challenge our employees to continuously improve the way we do business and to meet and exceed the needs of our customers.
To learn more about this agency, we invite you to visit our website at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/ and listen to our employees talk about why they love working here. (http://player.vimeo.com/video/328319675)
Benefits of Working For A Government Entity
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We offer a great selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, and compensation benefits for you and your family.
Additional Benefits:
- Wellness programs. (https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/pebb-wellness-programs)
- Dependent care assistance. (https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/public-employees/dependent-care-assistance-program-dcap)
- Washington State Employee Assistance Program. (https://www.des.wa.gov/services/employee-assistance-program)
- Federal Social Security and Medicare systems.
- Additional Leave; Leave Sharing (https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=357-31-380), Parental Leave (https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=357-31-460), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (https://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=357-31-460), Leave Without Pay. (https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/compensation-job-classes/compensation-administration/vacation-leave-and-holidays
- Deferred Compensation (https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/) (supplemental retirement plan).
- Training and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement.
- Program for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program) (if applicable)
- Free parking at our main office in Tumwater.
- A stable funding source that does not rely on the state's general fund.
- The fulfillment of public service.
- Excellent work-life balance.
- Flexible work schedules and telework/hybrid opportunities.
- Commitment to diversity in the workplace and support one another with respect and trust.
- Free Thurston County Transit public transportation.
Duties:
Reporting to the Attorney Manager, this position is responsible for assisting the agency with the interpretation of insurance statues, investigating, enforcing laws, and the regulations governing insurance within the State of Washington. Duties include but are not limited to:
- Review cases to ensure that action is factually supportable and legally defensible.
- Research relevant laws and comparable cases to determine a range of appropriate agency action by utilizing a variety of resources including LexisNexis, publications, and internal databases.
- Prepare memoranda for agency enforcement committees, verbally summarizes and presents the cases, and makes recommendations for appropriate enforcement actions.
- Meet with referring parties to review cases and finalize recommendations.
- Draft disciplinary orders, advisement letters, compliance plans, letters and memoranda.
- Negotiate penalties and/or appropriate remedial measures to be taken.
- Present A Government Entity's position at hearings before the Presiding Officer and the Office of
- Draft briefs, pleadings, and motions; prepares discovery and associated responses, oral arguments, exhibits and examination and cross examination of witnesses; and presents evidence using the rules of evidence contained in the Administrative Procedures Act.
- Respond to requests for analysis requiring the interpretation of insurance law and regulation, both state and federal.
- Participate in the review and drafting of legislation and regulations.
Qualifications:
Required Qualification for this position include:
- Law degree awarded from an accredited law school as recognized by the by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or foreign equivalent.
- Current license to practice law, preferably from Washington State.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications for this position include:
- Experience in the insurance industry or insurance regulation field (either as an attorney or practitioner).
- Experience in government regulation and enforcement.
- Experience with participating in administrative hearings as an attorney.
- Paid litigation experience.
- Familiarity with the Washington State Legislative process, including bill analysis.
