L&I Litigation Specialist

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!
 Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

Job Highlights

Please note: The preferred location for this position is either in Tumwater or in our region 1, 2, or 6 offices. 

As a Litigation Specialist, you will review requests for reconsideration and appeals of employer assessments that come out of field audits, successor liability, prime contractor liability, personal liability for corporate tax debt, claim cost penalties, stop work orders, and other matters such as classifications and revocations. You will act as the department’s representative in matters before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA), and assist the Assistant Attorney Generals with regard to the department case preparation, discovery, and presentation. You will testify as the department subject matter expert for audit, collections, and classification issues. You will participate in mediations at the BIIA and may be asked to be a mediator for the Department. The position, which is part of the Department’s Fraud Prevention and Labor Standards division (FPLS), reports to the assigned Firm Appeals Supervisor.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Conduct independent review of audits and collection assessments to confirm appropriate case law, statute, rules, policies, and procedures are followed.
• Preside over administrative appeal reconsideration conferences as an L&I Litigation Specialist, and where appropriate, negotiates equitable settlements.
• Assist the Assistant Attorney General in case preparation and function as the non-attorney representative for the department with appeals at the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and Washington State courts.
• Provide expert testimony at hearings, participate in mediation conferences, assist in the preparation of department witnesses for testifying, etc.
• Attend Audit, Collection, and other staff meetings when requires, assisting in training sessions as well. 
• Participate in mediations as department representative and possibly as mediator.

Required:

Education and Experience:

• Previous experience in the legal field, including but not limited to: A combination of 8 years of experience/education in Business Law, Administrative Law, Finance, Accounting, or Auditing, which could include experience conducting legal or legislative research, analysis and writing; OR testifying before an administrative body, or court; OR similar legal experience and education leading to paralegal certification, juris doctorate, LLM, or other legal degree that totals 8 years.

OR

• Equivalent experience in the Labor & Industries Auditor series

OR

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• A demonstrated ability for project management and superior writing skills.
• Knowledge of Title 51 RCW; WAC 296.17; and the rules, policies and procedures of the 
• Department of Labor and Industries.
• Knowledge of the Washington Court’s rules of evidence and rules of civil procedure.
• Experience exercising judgment in evaluating evidence and formulating decisions based on fact and law.
• Two (2) years of experience as a Labor and Industries Auditor 3.

Things You Need To Know

To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, teleworking is one of the work schedule options for this position. L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

Telework is an option for this position. The assigned duty station may be in any of our L&I service locations statewide. The incumbent must reside anywhere in Washington State, as well as those living near the Oregon/Washington or Idaho/Washington boarders.

For positions where in-office work is necessary, the frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer.

To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for GovDelivery and select L&I job alerts.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please do not attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

To learn more about our hiring process timeline at L&I please visit our L&I recruiting page at Hiring Process at L&I.If you would like to read our website in a language other than English, scroll up to the top of the page to select your language of choice from the banner.

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other information

For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.

• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s Jobs@lni.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
 

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact Haleigh Missildine (she/her/hers) at miso235@lni.wa.gov.