Positions independently analyze and validate contested case actions for agencies and clients to ensure compliance with the Washington Administrative Code, Code of Federal Regulations and Revised Code of Washington.

Positions at this level are required to:

• Coordinate, oversee, plan, develop, review and revise decisions and case actions regarding public benefits.
• Independently examine and access the accuracy and quality of case actions to identify and determine training needs, policy deficiencies and modifications to business practices.

Reviews and audits disputed case actions;
Maintains records of Administrative Hearing requests and documents activities in the Hearing Control System (HCS);

Provides communication to agency staff and clients to assure regulatory requirements are understood and implemented to correct eligibility decisions or to enable clients to fulfill program requirements;

Overrides initial determinations to bring delivery of public benefits into compliance with regulatory requirements;

Reviews and assess potential legal fee obligations;

Identifies and assembles documents to be used as hearing exhibits;

Prepares motions, briefings documentation, initial arguments and exhibits to be presented at the hearing;

Arranges for subpoenas and prepares witnesses who provide testimony on behalf of the agency’s decisions and actions;

Deliver copies of motions, briefings, initial arguments and exhibits to all parties involved in the proceedings;

Take actions to respond to or initiate a continuance of the hearing when requested by either party;

Represents agency to have case actions and decisions upheld by the adjudicative process;
Coordinates and requests assistance from Assistant Attorney General when needed, or when petitioning to higher level courts;

Reviews hearing decisions and if unfavorable, identifies reasons and causes for reconsideration or judicial review;

Prepares and presents opening arguments defining the issues and how the agency will justify their decisions;

Cross-examines witnesses to assure the record contains complete and accurate facts;

Provides closing arguments defining the facts and the corrective action prescribed by program regulations that have been determined during testimony and through the exhibits;

Implement hearing decisions;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: philosophy of public welfare; state and federal welfare; laws and regulations; principles, problems, and practices of public welfare administration; principles of individual and group behavior, social and economic conditions and their effects on individuals; understanding Medicare and Medicaid policy; interviewing techniques; office procedures and practices.

Ability to: learn and effectively use all available technology, automation programs, and web based programs. Must understand legal processes, terms and procedures, how to work with Administrative Law Judges to permit continuances of hearings, and how to respond to formal petitions, motions and requests from client representatives, guardians, attorney-in-fact and attorneys. Ability to defuse hostile situation, follow directives, multitask in an environment of change, and use cooperative coaching skills to enhance staff performance.

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.

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.

A Bachelor’s degree and two to three years experience conducting financial eligibility determinations for public assistant programs.

OR

Equivalent education/experience.

New class; adopted June 13, 2019; effective July 1, 2019.

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