Financial Legal Examiner Supervisor (WMS03)

Make A Difference: DFI is recruiting a supervising attorney to join the Consumer Services Enforcement Unit. This position is critical to the agency’s statutory duties.  This position is charged with managing a team of employees who are taking administrative action(s) against licensed and unlicensed entities and people, processing consumer complaints, and are actively involved in investigations related to the enforcement of consumer financial protection laws.

Providing Regulatory Oversight for Our State's Financial Service Providers

The Division of Consumer Services is the largest Division at the Department of Financial Institutions, which oversees thousands of licensees that operate in various financial industries.  The Financial Legal Examiner Supervisor role is an essential member the Enforcement Unit’s leadership team and reports to the Chief of Enforcement.   This position supervises a team of Financial Legal Examiners and/or Financial Examiners, who investigate alleged violations of laws and regulations in the financial service industries, prepare cases for administrative, civil, or criminal actions, and negotiate settlements. This position also oversees the unit’s investigations by directing enforcement actions to be issued that are required as part of the agency’s statutory duties, pursuing temporary orders to cease and desist to fulfill the agency’s statutory duty to protect consumers, and directing investigation of alleged violations of the laws. 

The Enforcement Unit regulates FinTech industries like those dealing in cryptocurrency or more established forms of money transmission, escrow, consumer lending, mortgage loans, student loans, payday loans, and loan servicing.  DFI is seeking an experienced attorney committed to the agency’s mission and who is ready to lead a team to pursue enforcement actions to protect Washington consumers and to fulfill the agency’s statutory duty to regulate the financial services industry. 

This position will supervise staff that are represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Some of What You Will Do:

• Assign and supervise the work of Financial Legal Examiners and/or Financial Examiners in the Enforcement Unit. 
• Provide senior level advice to the Enforcement Chief related to enforcement actions and criminal referrals.  
• Conduct and/or direct investigations involving highly complex administrative, civil, and criminal violations.
• Review or draft pleadings for enforcement actions, settlements, interpretive opinions and referrals for criminal prosecution and civil actions.
• Provide training to new Enforcement Unit staff. 
• Conduct performance evaluations of assigned Enforcement Unit staff.
• Lead efforts to improve Enforcement Unit procedures.
• Perform legal analysis and research on emerging legal issues.
• Coordinate collaboration with other state and federal regulators or law enforcement agencies.

Required Qualifications

A Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree, and membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.    

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions' (DFI) mission is to protect consumers and advance the financial health of Washington State by providing fair regulation of financial services and educating consumers to make informed financial decisions. Collectively and independently, the Department's 200-plus employees within its 5 divisions - Administration, Banks, Consumer Services, Credit Unions, and Securities - work together to create a stronger economic future and secure financial environment for Washington's consumers and businesses alike. DFI is self-supporting, in that none of its operating revenues come from the state's general tax funds. Its operating revenues are paid by the organizations and individuals it regulates. To learn more about the Department of Financial Institutions, please visit our website at www.dfi.wa.gov.
 
The DFI values diverse perspectives and life experiences.  We employ and serve diverse people of all backgrounds including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. This culture of respect promotes a professional and inclusive environment where maximizing potential through opportunity is achievable by everyone.  DFI is an equal opportunity employer and vigorously pursues diversity in the workforce. We encourage women, racial and ethnic minorities, people over 40, people with disabilities, Veterans and disabled Veterans to apply.

Benefits of working for DFI include:

• Medical, dental, retirement, and generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Healthy work-life balance.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion where every person is recognized and valued.
• Telecommuting up to two days per week and flexible work hours.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities, including DFI’s in-house CLE program and other training that ensures employees are successful. 
• You may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Official Work Station:
DFI Tumwater Headquarters will be your assigned duty station. Telework is available two days per week.
  
Application Process:
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically thru careers.wa.gov.  Submitting your application materials electronically will act as confirmation that the information submitted is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Failure to provide all required application materials may result in disqualification.
 
Interested applicants should select the "Apply" button and attach the following materials to their application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Law school transcripts
• Three professional references* (provide contact name, phone number, email address, company name, and job title)