Counsel to the Legislative Ethics Board

Washington State Legislative Ethics Board

Exempt Recruitment Announcement

Counsel to the Legislative Ethics Board

OPENS:	July 31, 2025
CLOSES:	August 20, 2025
REPORTS TO:	Chair, Legislative Ethics Board
SALARY:	$126,972 - $220,068 annually dependent on qualifications

Legislative Ethics Board (Board):

The Board is a quasi-judicial body that is made up of four current legislators, one from each caucus of the House and Senate and five citizen members. The Board is responsible for administering the Ethics Act (Act), including promulgating rules for the administration of the Act. It determines for each ethics complaint whether there is reasonable cause to believe the Ethics Act has been violated. For each complaint, whether or not reasonable cause is found, the Board issues a written opinion which is available to the public on its website. The Board may also issue written Advisory Opinions and Ethics Alerts on the application of the Act to various issues.

Duties

Position Profile:

The Legislature is seeking a collaborative, forward thinking, proactive attorney to serve as Counsel to the Board. The Counsel will have a thorough understanding of legislative processes and the intersection of ethics law to those processes. While this position is the sole employee of the Board and works independently, they will collaborate closely with the Ethics Advisers in the House and Senate.

This is a full-time, year-round position that is exempt from the civil service laws and reports to the members of the Legislative Ethics Board.

Primary Duties and Expectations:

• Conducts thorough investigations, including interviewing witnesses and reviewing documentary evidence, of all ethics complaints filed against either legislators or legislative staff
• Performs in-depth policy and legal research on the provisions of the Ethics Act that are impacted by the complaint
• Prepares reports summarizing the investigations and presents the reports to the Board
• Drafts final Complaint Opinions for the Board
• Drafts Advisory Opinions for the Board on the impact of the Ethics Act on hypothetical activities
• Drafts Ethics Alerts on issues of concern to the Board
• Coordinates with the Ethics Advisers to ensure the advice provided is consistent
• Coordinates with the Ethics Advisers on training legislators and legislative staff on the provisions of the Act
• Provides informal advice in response to questions posed by legislators and legislative staff
• Works closely with the Director of the Executive Ethics Board

Salary

• $126,972 - $220,068/year

Qualifications

Critical Skills & Abilities:

• Law degree from an accredited law school and admitted to practice law in the State of Washington
• At least five years of experience working in a legislative environment
• Understanding of the Washington state legislative process
• Experience conducting investigations
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to convey complex information in a manner that informs diverse audiences
• Ability to work under time constraints to meet deadlines as necessary
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively interact with others who have diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work in a nonpartisan capacity
• Strong, self-starting initiative and ability to work with little direction
• Ability to identify improvements and efficiencies to the office
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely

Other Information

Employee Benefits:

The Legislature offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, military, bereavement, and civil leave; twelve paid holidays per year; a state retirement plan; deferred compensation; healthcare flexible spending account; dependent care assistance; and infant at work policy.

How to Apply:

Intrigued? If so, please submit the below items combined in one document:

(1) a letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications;

(2) a current resume describing in detail your experience and education; and

(3) a minimum of three professional references with contact information (e.g., address, e-mail address, and telephone).

Send application materials and direct any questions to: HouseHR@leg.wa.gov. The closing date is August 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST.

The Washington State Legislature is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran, or military status, or using a trained service animal by a person with a disability. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including those listed above and those with other diverse life experiences. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact House HR Director at niki.pavlicek@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7030, or TTD 1-800-635-9993. 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.

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