Section Manager, Office of Legal Affairs (WMS3/DLS)

Section Manager, Office of Legal Affairs (WMS3/DLS)

71053503

This recruitment is posted continuously. Application review will begin on 11/20/2024 and you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.  

This position manages a 26-person team of legal professionals including attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and tort recovery advisors. They also may represent the Health Care Authority in administrative appears and adjudicative hearings. The ideal candidate will ensure their team manages a high volume of appeals through adept manager supervision and change management. If you are in search of an opportunity to continue your legal career in a management role for an agency serving millions of Washington residents, this may be the position for you!

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the unit:

The Section Manager is responsible for the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), a section within the Division of Legal Services (DLS). OLA is staffed by highly trained staff attorneys and professional employees who provide legal, administrative, and policy support to HCA’s various programs and may represent the agency in administrative hearings or brief adjudicative proceedings under the state’s Administrative Procedures Act.

About the position: 

The Section Manager is responsible for the strategic planning and operations of the Office of Legal Affairs which is comprised of attorneys, paralegal staff, and other professional staff. This position provides expert level legal support to all HCA programs and coordinates complex legal issues including litigation on behalf of the Chief Legal Officer.

This position is eligible to telework but will be expected to report on-site an average of at least one day per week to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA may choose, but is not required, to support out-of-state telework on a case-by-case basis.

Some of what you will do:

• Plans, leads, directs, and organizes the work performed by the staff within the Office of Legal Affairs.
• Provides guidance to HCA’s various medical assistance and public/school employee programs on legal, operational, and policy issues.
• Representing HCA in administrative hearings conducted by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) in matters before the Board of Appeals (BOA).
• Conducts brief adjudicative proceedings for PEB and SEB programs.
• Effectively manages employees within the established personnel rules, policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Leads and coordinates HCA litigation as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer.
• Develops performance measures and targets.
• Evaluates and analyzes complex, conflicting, and contradictory issues arising in administrative hearings.
• Prepares legislative bill analysis and supports fiscal notes.

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will satisfy all of the following criteria: 

• Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed by the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) and in good standing or must be able to meet this requirement within 90 days of the start of employment.
• Five (5) years of experience arguing cases in quasi-judicial proceedings under an administrative procedures act, representing a state agency in state or federal court, or other similar legal experience in public sector judicial or quasi-judicial setting.

Required competencies:

• Strong leadership and management skills that ensure accountability, effectiveness, and high level of ethical integrity, including adherence to the Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys.
• Excellent public speaking skills, ability to assess training needs, ability to develop and deliver training to a wide variety of audiences. 
• Ability to use diplomacy, negotiating, problem solving, and consultation skills when communicating.  

Preferred qualifications:

Experience:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible management experience, including three years of direct supervision of professional level legal staff.
• Experience in personnel management, staff development, and knowledge of regulations related to personnel and supervisory management in the public sector.
• Supervisory and management of professional and paraprofessional staff including experience managing personnel in compliance with performance management concepts, both state and federal law, RCWs/WACs, policies, and collective bargaining agreements strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of or experience in state contracts and acquisitions; vendor disputes; intellectual property; internet/computer law; Public Records Act/Open Public Meetings Act; and privacy laws.

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including conflict de-escalation.
• Knowledge and skills in litigation, negotiation, and mediation/conflict resolution.
• Demonstrates personal accountability.
• Ability to manage time and organize work using systems thinking.
• Advance knowledge of information technology and skills in working with systems and software, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated history of regular and reliable attendance.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of state and federal policies, laws, and regulations related to state and federal medical assistance programs.
• Knowledge of laws and issues related to administration of the Public Employees Benefit (PEB) program (e.g. COBRA, ERISA, Internal Revenue Code, self-insurance health plans, outside third-party administration issues, coordination of benefits, long-term disability, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts).
• Knowledge of healthcare delivery methods, national healthcare reform efforts, and trends.

How to apply: 

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume 

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter. 
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov. 

About HCA: 

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents. What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA 
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby. 
• Tuition reimbursement
• And free parking! 

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov or 360.725.0945.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive a list of new job postings at HCA.