Industrial Appeals Judge 3 (Hearings Judge)

7/1/25 -This recruitment pool will be used for positions as they become available in Lakewood, Olympia, Renton, Spokane, and Yakima. Over the past five years, we have hired an average of seven judges each year.

The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) is offering a challenging and rewarding opportunity for the right individual to make a difference through serving the state of Washington. Our employees are our most valuable resource: diverse, energetic, innovative thinkers who care equally about producing quality work and serving the public. A diverse workforce is critical to our success. We are committed to preserving our culture of diversity and inclusion and to providing a work environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. You can read the BIIA's Pro-Equity Anti-Racism statement here.

The BIIA is a great place to work! We offer flexibility and mobility in the workplace to enhance work/life balance, to improve wellness, and to support a productive work environment, increased job satisfaction and engagement. You can read employee testimonials on our website.

In addition to the great benefits provided by the State of Washington, we offer the following:

• Continuing Legal Education: We will pay for your CLEs!
• WSBA Membership: We will reimburse you for annual WSBA dues!
• Telework: Judges are eligible for telework!
• Training: We provide training in industrial insurance law!

About Us:
The BIIA is a medium-sized state agency under the administration of three, full-time Board Members. The BIIA is independent from the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and hears appeals from decisions made by L&I in several areas. The three principal types of appeals are:

• Industrial insurance (workers' compensation).
• Safety citations under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).
• Employer Premiums (Tax Assessment or Classification).

For more information, visit our website at www.biia.wa.gov.

Duties

The Hearings Judge presides over conferences and hearings where evidence is presented pursuant to Rules of Evidence and Superior Court Rules, and issues written decisions resolving appeals filed under the Industrial Insurance Act, Crime Victims Compensation Act, Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, and other acts as determined by the Legislature.

Each hearing judge is assigned a hearing run by geographic area. The majority of hearings are held by either video or telephone. However, judges also hold in-person hearings by request of the parties or if the judge determines an in-person hearing is necessary for other reasons (i.e., the number of expected witnesses or exhibits). In-person hearings are held in the county where the injury occurred or injured worker resides.

If you would like a copy of the Position Description Form and Performance Expectations, please contact the Human Resources Office at hroffice@biia.wa.gov.

Salary

• $117,120 - $120,148/year

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Must be an active or judicial member of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).
• Practicing attorney for a minimum of five (5) years as a member of the WSBA or other state bar association.

Desirable Qualifications:

The BIIA is most interested in candidates who have relevant experience, skills and abilities:

• Experience in industrial insurance cases before the BIIA or equivalent in another state; and/or
• Experience presiding as a judge in a court of general jurisdiction, a court commissioner, an administrative law judge, or a judge in a military tribunal; and/or
• Experience in trial practice or presiding over cases in which rules of evidence are followed.
• Practicing attorney for seven (7) or more years.
• Advanced litigation management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of rules of evidence and procedural issues.
• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Excellent legal writing skills.

BIIA Core Competencies:

• Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions and can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight.
• Adaptability to Changing Needs/Flexibility - Embraces changing business needs and adapts approach, goals, and methods to achieve success.
• Customer Focus - Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.
• Diversity and Inclusion - Recognizes the value of cultural, ethnic, gender and other individual differences. Understands differences in and responds appropriately to others.
• Effective Respectful Communications - In a respectful manner, conveys clear messages that are effective in communicating information and ideas with others.
• Ethics and Integrity - Earns the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through honesty, candor, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Relationship Building - Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of teamwork, cooperation and mutual regard.
• Safety Focus - Adhere to all workplace safety laws, regulations, standards and practices.

Other Information

Benefits
This position includes medical, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, deferred compensation, flexible spending account, dependent care assistance, paid time off (sick leave, vacation leave, personal holiday, personal leave day), 11 paid holidays, and an Employee Assistance Program. Tuition Reimbursement is available for eligible employees subject to guidelines and funding. You can find more information about benefits at Benefits - careers.wa.gov.

Special Notes:

• Washington state residency is required upon hire.
• Must be able to conduct in-person hearings.
• Must be able to travel to hearing sites.
• This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Association of Industrial Appeals Judges.
• Positions assigned to the Renton Office receive an additional 5% premium pay and an ORCA card.

Application Process:
Interested candidates must apply on-line and attach the following:

• Cover letter specifying how you meet the qualifications listed above (no more than two pages).
• Current resume.
• List of at least three professional references.
• Current writing sample (no more than seven pages). An excerpt of a larger writing sample is acceptable.

Please attach the required documents in the "provide attachment" section of the online application (do not use the text resume within the application). Please do not attach college transcripts. Only applicants who meet the required qualifications and submit all of the required documents will be added to the recruitment pool.

Questions? If you have any questions about the recruitment or application process, please contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 753-9639 or hroffice@biia.wa.gov.

The Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender identity/expression, 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 dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at HROffice@biia.wa.gov or call 360-753-9639.

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, are entitled to three (3) 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 12-31-2022