Executive Director

AGENCY PROFILE:

The Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct (Commission), like similar agencies in each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia, works to protect the integrity of the judicial process, safeguard judicial independence, and promote public confidence in the courts by investigating and resolving ethics complaints against state-level judges. The Commission also investigates allegations of judicial disability.

The Commission is a small, constitutionally-created, independent agency in the judicial branch of state government. The Commission consists of eleven members and eleven alternate members. (There are three membership categories: three judges, two lawyers and six citizen members). The Commission is supported by eleven staff. The work is highly confidential. (For more information about the Commission see www.cjc.state.wa.us.)

The Commission values equity and inclusion and encourages all qualified applicants to apply. We are seeking an individual with high standards of personal and professional integrity to lead our small staff as Executive Director.

Duties

ABOUT THE POSITION:
All agency staff report to the Executive Director. The attorney investigators report directly to the Commission on case-related matters. The Executive Director is responsible for overall agency operations and may make changes to improve operations. The Executive Director provides advice to the Commission’s subcommittees and serves as advisory counsel to the entire Commission. As a core member of the Commission staff, Executive Director provides strategic leadership, policy direction, and cross-sector coordination, guiding a diverse Commission membership and staff while fostering a culture of inclusion, innovation, and continuous improvement.

This role requires strong, highly collaborative, and respectful leadership skills, strategic planning, effective communication, and the ability to build and sustain strong partnerships to support the agency's mission and vision. This includes effective communication and the provision of informal judicial ethics advice as well as formal training to all levels of court, court staff, complainants and other stakeholders.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

The Executive Director serves as liaison with, and handling inquiries from the public, the judiciary, attorneys, the media, and legislative and executive branches of government.

The Executive Director takes the lead on lobbying the legislature as needed for Commission funding, oversees the development and administration of the agency’s biennial budget, and engages in long-term financial planning.

The Executive Director acts as liaison with appointing authorities for Commission members and assisting in recruitment of new members.

The Executive Director supervises all case processing activities and workflow, including selective case investigation and reporting, and prepares and presents legal case work or opinions.

The Executive Director is responsible for making desired changes to Commission policies, statutes, or rules sought and adopted by the Commission, and stays apprised of judicial ethics enforcement developments at the national level for relevant application at the local level.

The Executive Director may perform such other duties as prescribed by the Commission.

Salary

• $191,000 - $217,337/year

Qualifications

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

The Commission’s next Executive Director will be a leader with the ability to manage a heavy workload in a dynamic environment. You will have the ability to advise and collaborate with a diverse Commission membership and respect individual styles and opinions. You will be able to manage a professional and capable staff with evolving job duties and workload. You will set clear overall direction for the agency but allow for innovation and process improvements. You will foster a culture of trust and accountability. You will demonstrate a flexible and staff-oriented style of management. You will have a demonstrated commitment to public service. If your work experience, education and leadership proficiencies align with the Commission’s expectations, we encourage you to apply.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Admission to the practice of law in any state; and

Knowledge and experience about the judicial system; knowledge about judicial codes of professional conduct; effective written and verbal communication skills; high standards of personal and professional integrity; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to receive and manage constructive feedback from the Commission and staff and to make appropriate changes where needed; ability to work with news media and governmental processes.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

At least five years administrative experience; with experience overseeing staff, budgets, and operations in an agency of similar size;

Admission to the practice of law in Washington state; and

A Bachelor or Masters Degree in Public Administration, or equivalent.

Executive level experience directing a government agency.

Trial attorney experience.

Other Information

HOW TO APPLY:

Provide a brief letter of interest, no more than two pages detailing why you are interested in this position, a short resume detailing your relevant qualifications including the required qualifications, and three professional references with current contact information attached. The anticipated start date of the position is October 16, 2026. To facilitate a smooth transition, the Executive Director position will be dually filled temporarily so the successful candidate can cross train with the current outgoing long time Executive Director who will retire effective January 1, 2027.

Email:

recruitment.ExecutiveDirector@cjc.state.wa.us

Mail:

Commission on Judicial Conduct

Attn: Tanya Calahan

PO Box 1817

Olympia, WA 98507

Email is the preferred method of communication and application submission.

Please note that only those candidates with the most relevant qualifications can be interviewed.

Starting salary depends on qualifications.

The final candidate for the Executive Director position must consent to a full background check, including criminal history and must sign a confidentiality agreement. As a condition of employment, the person hired for the position must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility before beginning work.

BENEFITS

The successful candidate will receive a generous employment benefits package. This competitive benefits package offered by the State of Washington includes but is not limited to paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, paid time off for all state and most federal holidays, medical insurance, life insurance, and a stable retirement plan.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Commission on Judicial Conduct is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age (40+), disability (actual or perceived), honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons with a disability requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may call (360) 753-4585, or email recruitment.ExecutiveDirector@cjc.state.wa.us. TTY users can call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service or 1-800-833-6384.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026