See Claims Officer 1 – DSHS

Positions function as a senior, specialist, and/or lead worker over other claims officers or serves as a senior legal advisor to management.

This is the senior, specialist, and/or lead worker level of the series. Incumbents advise on more complex legal matters and serves as the trainer for the Claims Officer series. Incumbents in this class use independent legal judgment and coordinate on politically sensitive issues. Incumbents in this classification audit the work of Claims Officer 2 positions when necessary. Incumbents participate and provide legal guidance in statewide workgroups and projects.

Performs legal analysis and case preparation involving multiple jurisdictions and the application of foreign law concerning jurisdiction and property rights;

Coordinates and leads Claims Officers in representation of the department's interest at adjudicative proceedings under the Administrative Procedures Act, and other administrative remedies regarding support enforcement matters or collection of debts due the state; responsible for participating in and/or providing ongoing training; conducts quality assurance reviews/audits;

Conducts an ongoing review of case, family, federal, state, and international laws and regulations governing establishment and collection of child support, or debts due the state in connection with any DSHS program;

Coordinates and leads Claims Officers in the furtherance of the department’s interest in the accurate establishment and appropriate enforcement of child support orders; conducts quality assurance reviews and/or audits and develops and implements processes and procedures to improve performance;

Provides ongoing training including the preparation and maintenance of training materials;

Advises and recommends to support enforcement officers and other personnel proper procedures, policies, and application of law according to federal and state statutory, administrative, and judicial laws regarding the administration of the support enforcement program or debts due the state in connection with public assistance;

Explains the federal and state statutes and regulations, department policies, and fee schedules, if any, to program staff, applicants, service recipients, attorneys, and other interested persons;

Reviews and may approve proposed court orders for compliance with law regarding support or debts due the state and related matters;

May represent the department in specified judicial proceedings;

Acts as public disclosure coordinator when assigned;

Prepares and executes administrative remedies when requested;

Analyzes and comments on proposed statutes, administrative codes, and department policies when requested; proposes needed changes in current laws, regulations, or policies and may draft needed changes;

Serves in lieu of chair of Conference Board or Administrative Review Board and issues decisions as to agreed matters involving relief from Division of Child Support collection action or write-off of assigned debt;

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 three years of experience as a Claims Officer (one year as a Claims Officer 1 plus two years as a Claims Officer 2 or higher), Hearings Examiner (one year as a Hearings Examiner 1 plus two 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 3 - DSHS (replaces 46761 Claims Officer 3, DSHS).
Base salary range adjustment (from 61 to 63); revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, and knowledge and abilities: adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023
Revised definition and distinguishing characteristics: adopted August 10, 2023, effective August 11, 2023

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