This is the senior, specialist, or lead worker level of the series. Positions function as lead worker over other claims officers or serves as a senior legal advisor to management.

Coordinates and leads Claims Officers in representation of the department's interest at adjudicative proceedings 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 law, laws and regulations governing establishment and collection of child support, or debts due the state;  

Represents the department's interest in adjudicative proceedings regarding the establishment and collection of financial, health care, day care and special child-rearing expenses from parents, interpretation of superior court orders, distribution of child support payments, termination of support enforcement services, compliance of third parties regarding collection and enforcement orders, and other proceedings relating to the establishment and collection of child support;  

Negotiates with private attorneys, other representatives, or the appellant directly prior to adjudicative proceedings with authority to settle the matter;  

Assembles documentation and appears as the department's representative/witness before an Administrative Law Judge;  

Drafts and prepares legal documents including subpoenas, motions memorandums, briefs, appeals, and response to appeals for adjudicative proceedings;  

Advises and recommends to support enforcement officers, financial recovery officers, and other personnel proper procedures 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 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;  

Processes requests for review for modification of administrative and judicial support orders;  

Acts as public disclosure coordinator when assigned;  

Prepares and executes administrative remedies when requested;  

Prepares creditors' claims and other legal documents for claims against estates in probate and bankruptcy; may act as administrator in decedent's estate in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General;  

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

Cooperates and works closely with the Office of the Attorney General in matters regarding statutory representation of the department;  

Cooperates and works closely with prosecuting attorneys in paternity matters and the prosecution of claims against non-supporting parents;  

Provides training to recovery offices or field office staff regarding new laws and procedures and in difficult areas of support enforcement and/or debt recovery;  

Provides legal advice to district administrators, support enforcement program administrators, and other members of the department;  

Establishes guidelines to determine responsibility/ability to pay for cost of care in departmental institutional facilities; advises staff of available legal remedies to pursue recovery of care costs;  

Conducts an ongoing review of laws and regulations governing the recovery of cost of care in state institutional facilities; assembles documentation and appears as a witness at administrative and judicial hearings; 

May supervise lower level staff.

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.

Current admission to practice law in the state of Washington and three years of experience as a Hearings Examiner, 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).