Deputy Chief Legal Officer (EMS3/DLS)

The Deputy Chief Legal Officer acts on behalf of the agency’s Chief Legal Officer across a broad spectrum of legal services, including providing strategic legal guidance to HCA programs and acting as a designee for complex legal issues involving risk, disputes, corrective actions, and litigation. This highly-visible position supports the Chief Legal Officer with the increasing portfolio of the Division of Legal Services in a non-supervisory role.

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the division:

The Division of Legal Services (DLS) is part of the Central Services Administration (CSA) and provides legal and professional level support to all HCA divisions at all employee levels to mitigate risks, comply with changing state and federal laws, and assist HCA in accomplishing its goals in support of a healthier Washington.

DLS’ mission is to “deliver professional legal support so HCA can provide high quality health care through innovative health policies and purchasing strategies.” Its vision is to “be trusted, valued, and sought-after partners who exceed customer expectations by providing exemplary legal support, collaborating with our customers to develop innovative solutions, and attracting and retaining high performing and motivated staff.” In addition to the agency-wide values, DLS values include professionalism, collaboration, effective communication, dependability, customer service, and ethical behavior.

About the position:

This position provides executive level direction and legal/policy support on behalf of the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to program areas assigned to this position. At times, this position may focus on providing support to any one of HCA’s programs: Public Employees Benefits Board, School Employee Benefit Board, Behavioral Health/Involuntary Commitment, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and a variety of state-funded only programs such as Apple Health Expansion.

The primary objective of the Deputy Chief Legal Officer is to deliver high quality legal services in a manner that fulfills the mission and vision of DLS (while remaining aligned with the agency’s core mission, vision, and values) in collaboration with external partners such as advocates, local government, partnering Health and Human Services (HHS) executive branch agencies, and our authorizing environment such as Office of Financial Management (OFM), the Governor’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).

This position may be delegated signature authority of settlement agreements on behalf of the Director.

This position is the Director’s designee, as assigned by the CLO, to manage, conduct, and decide disputes and appeals that arise outside of State’s administrative procedure act (APA) (e.g., Medicaid rates appeals, contract dispute appeals, etc.), public records disputes, and disputes related to HCA’s Americans with Disabilities Act anti-discrimination program.

This position is eligible to telework but is required to report on-site 1-2 days a week to meet business needs. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA may choose, but is not required, to support out-of-state telework on a case-by-case basis.

Some of what you will do:

Provides guidance and support to HCA’s senior and executive leaders on legal and risk management matters affecting the agency.
Has delegated authority to hear appeals, conduct disputes, and enter into binding decisions on behalf of the Director in rates appeals, contractor disputes, public records appeals, and ADA appeals relating to HCA services and programs.
Drafts executive level briefing, dispute decisions, and other technical and legal writing that must be accomplished in a manner that adheres to legal and HCA communication standards. Works closely with HCA’s Chief Communications Officer to ensure appropriate branding and reputation of HCA.
Provides legal and operational risk management support to HCA’s finance, policy, and executive level leaders on matters that could be of high risk or highly. May present information to external authorizing bodies on behalf of the CLO relating to matters of high legal risk.
Represents the CLO on a variety of workgroups that have direct legal and operational impact to DLS programs or across HCA.
Works closely with the AGO to ensure coverage of legal issues and discovery in litigation, case evaluation, strategy determination, and recommended settlement amounts.
Oversees and directs the development of comprehensive litigation management strategies to ensure legal matters are appropriately resourced and managed, the full scope of administrative legal liability is examined, recommendations are brought forward, and training, policy, and programmatic changes are implemented to manage risk and reduce liability.

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will satisfy all of the following qualifications:

Juris doctorate (JD) degree from an accredited law school and licensed, and in good standing with the WSBA.
Five (5) years of experience representing a state agency in litigation or legal matters in a governmental law office setting.

Required competencies:

Ability to communicate at an expert level in writing and orally to all levels of employees and people.
Ability to meet deadlines, track work to completion, and maintain regular and reliable attendance.
Advanced skills in mediation and dispute resolution.
Ability to navigate ambiguity and maintain managerial decorum and courage.

Preferred qualifications:

Five (5) years of experience working for or representing executive branch agencies.
Three (3) years of active litigation experience.
Knowledge of and experience using regulations Medicaid and medical public assistance programs.
Knowledge of and experience using regulations related to self-insured and fully-insured health plans.
Knowledge of and experience under the Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) in Chapter 71.05 RCW.
Knowledge of and experience under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in Chapter 34.05 RCW.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach:

A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

About HCA:

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

What we have to offer:

Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
Tuition reimbursement
And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission.Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description. Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply. If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov or 360.725.0945.

Washington State Health Care Authority

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Deputy Chief Legal Officer