Chief Legal Officer

This recruitment will remain open until December 13, 2025. The agency reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time after the initial screening date on December 1, 2025. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Make a Difference: Protect Consumers & Join Our Dynamic Team!

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) seeks a qualified individual for the Chief Legal Officer for Regulatory Investigations (Exempt) position. This role is within the Legal Affairs Division and is based out of our Tumwater Office.

We are an employer of choice! Here’s why:

• Meaningful work: Ensure a healthy insurance market & protect Washington consumers.
• Impactful career: Make a daily difference in the lives of countless Washingtonians.
• Small agency, big opportunities: Gain a holistic understanding of our mission and build strong relationships with colleagues.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion: OIC is committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment - by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, and attributes.

About the Position

As a key member of the Legal Affairs Division’s leadership team, the Chief Legal Officer for Regulatory Investigations plays a critical role in protecting Washington’s insurance consumers and strengthening public confidence in the industry. This leader oversees a statewide program responsible for investigating complex complaints and suspected violations of the Washington Insurance Code—ensuring that our regulatory work is effective, transparent, and fair.

We’re seeking a transformational leader who can motivate and empower a team of experienced investigators, streamline processes for efficiency, and champion continuous improvement. You will be the driving force behind strategic initiatives that enhance investigative outcomes, promote collaboration across the agency, and ensure that our enforcement work meets the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Lead with vision and purpose: Establish clear goals, measurable outcomes, and accountability standards that inspire excellence and align with the agency’s mission.
• Motivate and develop talent: Cultivate an engaged, high-performing investigative team through mentorship, coaching, and professional growth opportunities.
• Advance process improvement: Evaluate and modernize investigative procedures to strengthen quality, timeliness, and consistency across cases statewide.
• Collaborate and influence: Work closely with Legal Affairs leadership to implement strategic plans, align investigative priorities, and advance consumer protection through effective enforcement.
• Model integrity and professionalism: Set the tone for fairness, transparency, and respect—leading by example and encouraging open communication and innovation.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful statewide impact, shape regulatory policy, and lead a dedicated team committed to protecting Washingtonians through fair and effective insurance oversight.

Join us in leading with integrity—and making a difference that matters.

This is a Civil Service Exempt position. The annual salary range for this position is $115,000 - $130,000.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive benefits package: Health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave (vacation, sick, etc.) and much more!
• Supportive work environment: We value diversity, professional growth, and collaborative atmosphere.
• Wellness programs: Invest in your well-being with on-site resources and initiatives.
• Work-life balance: Flexible schedules with telework opportunities.
• Public service fulfillment: Contribute to a cause that matters and feel the satisfaction of serving the public good.
• Training & Development: Continuously learn and grow with tuition reimbursement, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and other programs.
• Free parking (Tumwater) & Public transportation pass (Thurston County): Save on commuting costs.
• And more! Explore our website for additional benefits: https://www.insurance.wa.gov

Duties

The duties of the position include but are not limited to:

• Manage, Direct, and Oversee the Legal Affairs Division's Statewide Investigations for licensee misconduct, unlicensed activity, and unauthorized entities:
  • Developing and revising policies and procedures for investigations of health care sharing ministries, fraudulent ERISA plans, service contract providers, discount plan organizations, captive insurance companies, protection product guarantee providers, producers, title insurance agents, adjusters, surplus line brokers, insurance agency cases, pharmacy benefit managers, and unauthorized insurance companies.
  • Ensuring that the unit meets or exceeds established expectations measuring performance and quality.
  • Enhancing strategies for investigating.
  • Working collaboratively with other Legal Affairs managers.
  • Planning and implementing cross-training/coverage plans, fostering knowledge-based growth within the unit, and providing coaching and mentoring as appropriate.
  • Conducting/completing special assignments as directed by the Division’s Deputy Commissioner.
• Ensure Efficient and Effective Use of Staff and Agency Resources.
• Investigative Unit Personnel Management.
• Develop clear written guidance related to investigative expectations, processes, and procedures.
• The Chief Legal Officer for Regulatory Investigations is ultimately responsible for the oversight of all workflow processes for investigations and for the day-to-day operations of the investigators handling cases.

To read more about this position and view all duties, click here to request a position description.

Salary

• $115,000 - $130,000/year

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school. Proof of degree may be required prior to employment.

AND

Active license to practice law upon start date, preferably from Washington State, with five (5) years demonstrated experience.

AND

One (1) year paid litigation experience.

AND

A minimum of five (5) years of supervisor experience of legal or investigator professionals, which may include experience leading projects, cases, or investigations.

AND

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible interpretation and implementation of complex regulatory statutes and regulations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience in comprehending, interpreting, and applying federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations and policy and procedures.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies

• Financial examination, investigation, or audit experience in a regulatory environment.
• Investigative experience involving the insurance industry or other regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with Title 48 and WAC 284.
• Experience with the insurance industry and insurance practices.
• Qualifying investigative experience was performed within the past three years.

• Experience in reading, analyzing, and interpreting complex agreements and contracts; especially insurance contracts and agreements.

Ready to join us?

Learn more about the OIC by visiting our website. We encourage you to check out our video below and listen to what our employees have to say about working here!

Welcome to the OIC

Submit your application today and take the first step towards a rewarding career at the OIC!

Other Information

• Wage/salary depends on qualifications or state rules of compensation (if currently a state employee).

• State law (RCW 48.02.090[5]) prohibits employees of the OIC from having any interest, directly or indirectly, in an insurance company other than as a policyholder. This prohibition includes the receipt of renewal commissions. If employment is accepted with this agency, you agree to abide by this state law.
• 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 but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• The Office of Insurance Commissioner is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at Recruitment@oic.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
• If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing (log in, password or email issues) or completing your application (error messages), please call toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
• Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact us at recruitment@oic.wa.gov.

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 07-21-2025