Chief Review Judge, Board of Appeals

Posting number: 2026-07605

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: OOS

Job classification: WMS BAND 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Court Administration, Legal, Management, Attorney

Summary

The law behind a decision matters.

As Chief Review Judge (CRJ), you'll lead two teams whose work affects how the Department makes, reviews, and applies administrative decisions, regulations, and policies: the Board of Appeals (BOA) and the Rules and Policies Assistance Unit (RPAU).

BOA Review Judges review the record and initial orders from administrative law judges, and apply state and federal law in upholding, modifying, or reversing those orders in Adult Protective Services findings and public benefits decisions. RPAU guides the Department's rulemaking process and the development and publication of administrative policies.

Your role is to lead both while protecting the Board of Appeals' independence in deciding individual cases. You'll represent the BOA with Department leadership and help ensure the legal and policy framework—including the Administrative Procedure Act—remains central to the work.

We encourage you to apply if you're an attorney who values careful legal analysis and knows how to lead experienced professionals. The people you'll manage know this work well. Your job isn't to arrive with every answer. It's to learn how the work gets done, ask good questions, and know when to provide guidance, make a decision, and trust your staff's expertise.

You should also enjoy solving problems without assuming every problem needs your solution. On any given day, you may navigate a legal question, personnel matter, rulemaking issue, or competing priorities. You'll need to understand different perspectives, identify risks, and make sound decisions while maintaining productive working relationships.

Your first 90 days are about listening, learning, and building trust. You'll get to know your staff, the work of BOA and RPAU, and the legal and policy framework behind final orders, rulemaking, and administrative policies. The work is currently performed primarily remotely, with staff communicating through Teams, email, and other electronic channels. Future expectations may include more in-office work based on Department direction, operational needs, or the approach of the incoming Chief Review Judge.

Within your first year, success means your staff trust your understanding of their work, Department partners can rely on your guidance, and final orders, regulations, and policies continue to be completed professionally, on a strong legal foundation, accurately, and on time.

Still reading? Here's what you'll do.

Some of What You'll Do

• Lead the Board of Appeals and Rules and Policies Assistance Unit while respecting the expertise and independence of experienced staff.
• Direct the work of Review Judges who review Administrative Law Judge decisions and issue legally binding final orders.
• Protect BOA's independent decision-making role while serving as a connection between Review Judges and Department leadership.
• Review draft orders, procedural motions, and requests for extensions.
• Guide and review Department rulemaking and administrative policy work, including proposed regulations, emergency rules, and policies.
• Monitor BOA caseloads and the timely completion of final orders, regulations, and policies.
• Oversee the Department's agreement with the Office of Administrative Hearings, including reports, compliance, and invoices.
• Work with Department leadership, agency partners, and members of the public on appeals, public benefits, rulemaking, and administrative policy.
• Lead staff through regular meetings, coaching, performance feedback, evaluations, and training.
• Review proposed legislation during legislative sessions as needed.

Who Should Apply
Required:

• A law degree.
• Knowledge of developing, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies in an administrative environment.
• Strong legal and analytical judgment, including the ability to identify issues, assess risk, and reach well-supported decisions.
• Experience leading experienced professionals, managing competing priorities, and maintaining accountability for high-quality, timely work.
• Ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues clearly and work effectively across teams, leadership, and external partners.

How to Apply
Hit the green APPLY button and submit:

• Your resume.
• Your cover letter.
• Three professional references.

Questions
Email recruiter Kris George at kris.george@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 07605.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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