Job Posting

Job Title: Administrative Law Judge

Type of Position: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary Range: Up to $ 91,926 a year, depending on qualifications,
and a full benefits package.

Closing Date: Open until filled. To ensure consideration, please submit your materials as soon as possible but no later than January 28, 2008. This announcement may close at anytime after January 28 and may remain open until a satisfactory pool of applicants has been received.

JOB PROFILE
The Administrative Law Judge presides at all stages of hearings and resolves and/or assists the three-member commission in resolving legal and factual disputes. The judge also serves as a mediator or arbitrator and as an advisor to the commissioners on procedural, legal and policy matters while managing teams of accounting and policy advisors and administrative staff assigned to individual proceedings.

The Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission’s (UTC) decisions often have statewide impact on business and consumer interests. The judge, with the advice of accounting and policy experts, if necessary, prepares initial orders resolving contested issues and final orders implementing decisions. The judge must frequently exercise creative and strategic thinking and judgment in matters having significant long-range impacts in a constantly evolving regulatory framework. The judge is also responsible, in conjunction with other staff, for managing the rulemaking process as well as developing policy in rulemakings. The position reports to the Director of the Administrative Law Division.

AGENCY OVERVIEW
The UTC regulates the rates, services and practices of privately-owned utilities and transportation companies, including electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and solid waste collection companies, private commercial ferries, buses and household goods movers. The UTC also enforces pipeline and railroad safety standards.

The mission of the UTC is to protect consumers by ensuring fairly priced, available, reliable and safe utility and transportation services.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must have:

• A law degree
• Membership in good standing of a state bar association or admission to practice law before the courts of a state of the United States;
• Progressively responsible, extensive experience serving as an administrative law judge, commissioner, attorney or assistant attorney general in matters involving utility regulation or other regulatory environment involving the application of law to facts and legal writing.

The UTC is most interested in candidates who have these additional qualifications and skills:

• Excellent oral, written and quantitative communications skills.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of rules on admissibility of evidence and procedural issues consistent with pertinent law and procedural rules, development of records sufficient for decisions, drafted and edited readable and enforceable orders.
• Advanced litigation management skills, particularly in complex litigation involving diverse interests advocated by multiple skilled professionals.
  Demonstrated understanding of economics, accounting, corporate finance, regulatory rate making, and utility and transportation company operations, as well as public policies that relate to these areas.
• Demonstrated understanding of technical and public policy issues, ability to balance competing policy interests and ability to achieve policies lawfully and consistently.
• Formal training and experience as a mediator or as a facilitator of decisions in group settings.
• Team-work and an ability to work effectively with commissioners, advisors and stakeholder representatives.
• Trust, integrity and personal responsibility.

SPECIAL NOTES:
Conflict of Interest: RCW 80.01.020 limits UTC’s ability to employ any person who owns stock in any company the UTC regulates or is otherwise financially interested in such company. Such interests include those of an employee’s spouse.

Authorization to Work: UTC may hire only those who possess legal authorization to work in the United States.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit the following materials:

1. A cover letter describing how your interest, experience and qualifications relate to the job profile and the qualifications. Please include how you learned of this opportunity.

2. A résumé which includes your employment history.

3. A sample of your professional writing.

4. Five professional references.

5. The UTC will appreciate your voluntary cooperation in filling out the applicant profile data form and submitting it with your application materials. This information is for reporting purposes only and is strictly confidential. To download the form click **Applicant Profile Data form Applicant Profile Data Form

Please send your materials to:
(Email is preferred)

Email: Jobs@wutc.wa.gov
Subject Line: Recruitment # 0108 2888 WMS

If email is not possible mail materials to:
Recruitment # 0108 2888 WMS
Human Resource Office
WA Utilities and Transportation Commission
PO Box 47250
Olympia, WA 98504-7250

By submitting materials you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

QUESTIONS? Please call 664-1130 if you have any questions about this recruitment.

Visit these links to learn more about the UTC http://www.wutc.wa.gov, the state of Washington http://access.wa.gov, and the Olympia area www.thurstonchamber.com.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial, and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact Paula Gay at pgay@utc.wa.gov or 360 664-1130. Our statewide toll free TTY number is 1-800-416-5289.