DSHS ESA Claims Officer 3

State of Washington; Washington; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services seeks a Claims Officer 3 to provide legal leadership within the Virtual Legal Office. The role guides and trains Claims Officers, ensuring accurate establishment and enforcement of child support orders.

The position involves representing the department in legal proceedings, advising field staff, and drafting essential legal documents. Hybrid telework arrangements apply, with training periods as needed.

Qualifications

• Current admission to practice law in the state of Washington.
• Three years of qualifying experience (see requirements in HTML).
• Equivalent experience in related legal roles supporting child support enforcement, debt recovery, or related program.

Responsibilities

• Represent the department in adjudicative and other legal proceedings, including tribal court matters, and appear before an Administrative Law Judge.
• Advise field office management and staff on administration and enforcement of the child support program.
• Draft, review, and prepare legal documents related to child support enforcement and debt collection.
• Research and interpret case law, statutes, regulations, and judicial decisions governing child support.

Skills

Legal leadership

Legal research

Written and oral communication

Education

Admitted to practice law in Washington

Job description

DSHS ESA – Claims Officer 3

Join the Economic Services Administration (ESA), Division of Child Support (DCS), as a Claims Officer 3 with our Virtual Legal Office! We are hiring for one permanent position and one non-permanent position, which may be assigned to a DCS field office in Everett, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, Wenatchee, Yakima, Kennewick, or Spokane. These are hybrid/telework opportunities, with work arrangements subject to business needs and periods of required staff training.

As an attorney lead worker and trainer, you will provide legal guidance and leadership to Claims Officers who represent the department’s interests in the accurate establishment and appropriate enforcement of child support orders. You will also help lead and coordinate training for attorneys within the Virtual Legal Office, supporting consistent practices and high-quality legal services across DCS.

Some of what you will do

• Represent the department’s interests in adjudicative and other legal proceedings, including tribal court matters, and serve as a division representative or witness before an Administrative Law Judge.
• Serve as a legal advisor to field office management and staff, and advise Child Support Enforcement Officers on the administration and enforcement of the child support program.
• Exercise independent judgment to determine equitable relief for child support debts owed to the State of Washington and negotiate and settle matters with attorneys, representatives, and other parties.
• Draft, review, and prepare legal documents related to child support enforcement and debt collection.
• Research and interpret case law, statutes, regulations, and judicial decisions governing the establishment and collection of child support and debts owed to the state.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews and audits to support compliance and effective program administration.
• Collaborate with other Claims Officers to coordinate training for new attorneys and support ongoing program knowledge and consistency.

Who should apply?

We are searching for professionals with:

• Current admission to practice law in the state of Washington AND
• Three years of qualifying experience, which may include:
  • One year as a Claims Officer 1 plus two years as a Claims Officer 2 or higher; OR
  • One year as a Hearings Examiner 1 plus two years as a Hearings Examiner 2 or higher; OR
  • Equivalent experience as an Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Prosecutor, Judge, or in another relevant legal role supporting child support enforcement, domestic relations, debt recovery, or a related program.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and uniform laws governing child support, including the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA), Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), and international child support matters.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing daycare establishment and reimbursement and medical support.
• Ability to research, interpret, and apply statutes, regulations, case law, and other legal authorities to support enforcement matters.
• Ability to examine and analyze complex information to determine responsibility for child support, medical support, or debts.
• Ability to evaluate judicial and administrative remedies and recommend appropriate legal strategies for specific support enforcement cases.

Additional information

• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at [e-mail] and reference job number#07483.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Ne­potism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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