See Claims Officer 1 – DSHS

Positions supervise Claims Officers, or function as a designated expert in a specialty area, or serve as a litigation coordinator, or chair a Board or Review Committee to resolve litigation issues.

This is the supervisory or expert level of the series. Incumbents advise and develop strategies regarding the most complex legal matters. Incumbents in this class use independent legal judgment and coordinate on politically sensitive issues. Incumbents in this classification develop expectations and standards for Claims Officers to promote efficient statewide practices and consistent application of law and policy.

Trains and supervises lower level Claims Officers and may also supervise other division personnel in the Division of Child Support in representation of the department's interest at adjudicative proceedings or other administrative remedies regarding support enforcement matters or collection of debts due to the state;

Reviews and helps develop case strategies regarding highly complex legal issues;

Formulates and establishes team procedures and expectations and coordinates with other claims officers to promote consistent interpretation of laws, regulations, policies, and legal documents statewide;

Serves as the expert around questions of jurisdiction or choice of law under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) and/or the 2007 Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance;

Assists the Special Collections Unit in developing new administrative and judicial collection remedies including, but not limited to, legal research, draft legal forms to implement new techniques, and drafts procedures and forms manuals when necessary;

Under the Administrative Procedures Act, represents the department's interest in adjudicative proceedings regarding all matters relating to support enforcement services or other debts due the state;

Analyzes and provides feedback on proposed statutes, administrative codes, and department policies when requested; proposes needed changes in current laws, regulations, or policies; drafts needed changes in current laws, regulations, or policies;

Serves as expert legal advisor to the department's management;

Writes proposed policies, statutes and regulations, or necessary changes for the department;

Conducts case analysis and recommends proposed resolution in matters of possible litigation for the department; assists coordination of litigation for the department;

Serves as chair of Conference Board or Administrative Review Board to inquire into facts, research law, and make written findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decisions in order to resolve the grievances resulting from DCS actions;

May supervise lower level staff;

Performs the duties of the lower levels in the series;

Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge of: uniform laws such as the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA); statutory and administrative laws and regulations governing daycare establishment and reimbursement; jurisdiction or choice of law under UIFSA and/or the 2007 Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance; administrative laws and regulations governing medical support.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

There are legal requirements to have current admission to practice law in the state of Washington.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Current admission to practice law in the state of Washington and four years of experience as a Claims Officer (one year as a Claims Officer 1 plus three years as a Claims Officer 2 or higher), Hearings Examiner (one year as a Hearings Examiner 1 plus three years as a Hearings Examiner 2 or higher), Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Prosecutor, Judge, or other relevant experience in support enforcement, domestic relations, debt recovery, or other related program.

New class effective June 1, 2005; Claims Officer 4 - DSHS (replaces 46762 Claims Officer 4, DSHS).
Base salary range adjustment (from 63 to 65); revised typical work, and knowledge and abilities: adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.