Description:
Description:Administrative Law Judge
Office of Administrative Hearings
Multiple Divisions
Appointment Types: Temporary, anticipated to last up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on budget and operational needs.
Duty Stations: Olympia, Spokane Valley, or Tacoma, Washington.
Work Arrangement: Depending on the assigned caseload, positions may be eligible for hybrid or full-time telework. Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Work Zone Speed Camera (WZSC) positions are designated as full-time telework. All alternate worksites must be located within Washington state.
Starting Salaries:
Description:
The Opportunity:
OAH is currently looking to fill multiple temporary Entry and Line Administrative Law Judge positions for multiple caseloads within multiple divisions. These positions may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, depending on caseload-specific operational needs. Some caseloads require periodic in-person hearings, while Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Work Zone Speed Camera (WZSC) caseloads are full-time telework.
Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are critical to the successful fulfillment of the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) mission. Line ALJs contribute by independently managing an assigned caseload; conducting thorough pre-hearing preparation; presiding over hearings that are fair in both substance and appearance; and issuing well-reasoned, timely decisions that meet established agency timeliness standards.
This is a represented position under the Washington Federation of State Employees - Administrative Law Judges (WFSE ALJ) (2025-27)
Discover What It's Like to Work at OAH
Get a closer look at OAH, the work we do, and what it's like to serve as an Administrative Law Judge through the following resources:
Day in the Life of a Work Zone Speed Camera ALJ (https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-09%2FAnnette%2520Cook%2520Final%2520Template_0.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK)
Day in the Life of an OSPI ALJ (https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-09%2FPaul%2520Alig%2520Final%2520Template.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK)
Day in the Life of an Unemployment Insurance ALJ (https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-09%2FDi%2520Rudman%2520Final%2520Template.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK)
Day in the Life of a Social & Health Services ALJ (https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-09%2FDi%2520Rudman%2520Final%2520Template.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK)
OAH Overview (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2024-12%2FOAH%2520Overview_0.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cwannise.burch%40oah.wa.gov%7Cc7e28b581da34b2d6ae008df1f25ebd7%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C639263919865251774%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bX9ACRPvkp3x%2Fv7gsNIkhMF1RShYthtkeUdNA3EgmJ0%3D&reserved=0)
OAH 2024-2025 Report (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2024-12%2FOAH%2520Overview_0.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cwannise.burch%40oah.wa.gov%7Cc7e28b581da34b2d6ae008df1f25ebd7%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C639263919865251774%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJF
Duty Stations: Olympia, Spokane Valley, or Tacoma, Washington.
Work Arrangement: Depending on the assigned caseload, positions may be eligible for hybrid or full-time telework. Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Work Zone Speed Camera (WZSC) positions are designated as full-time telework. All alternate worksites must be located within Washington state.
Starting Salaries:
- Entry Administrative Law Judge: $108,228 annually (Range 68, Step 4)
- Line Administrative Law Judge: $116,544 annually (Range 71, Step 4)
Description:
The Opportunity:
OAH is currently looking to fill multiple temporary Entry and Line Administrative Law Judge positions for multiple caseloads within multiple divisions. These positions may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, depending on caseload-specific operational needs. Some caseloads require periodic in-person hearings, while Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Work Zone Speed Camera (WZSC) caseloads are full-time telework.
Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are critical to the successful fulfillment of the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) mission. Line ALJs contribute by independently managing an assigned caseload; conducting thorough pre-hearing preparation; presiding over hearings that are fair in both substance and appearance; and issuing well-reasoned, timely decisions that meet established agency timeliness standards.
This is a represented position under the Washington Federation of State Employees - Administrative Law Judges (WFSE ALJ) (2025-27)
Discover What It's Like to Work at OAH
Get a closer look at OAH, the work we do, and what it's like to serve as an Administrative Law Judge through the following resources:
Day in the Life of a Work Zone Speed Camera ALJ (https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-09%2FAnnette%2520Cook%2520Final%2520Template_0.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK)
Day in the Life of an OSPI ALJ (https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-09%2FPaul%2520Alig%2520Final%2520Template.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK)
Day in the Life of an Unemployment Insurance ALJ (https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-09%2FDi%2520Rudman%2520Final%2520Template.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK)
Day in the Life of a Social & Health Services ALJ (https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-09%2FDi%2520Rudman%2520Final%2520Template.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK)
OAH Overview (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2024-12%2FOAH%2520Overview_0.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cwannise.burch%40oah.wa.gov%7Cc7e28b581da34b2d6ae008df1f25ebd7%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C639263919865251774%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bX9ACRPvkp3x%2Fv7gsNIkhMF1RShYthtkeUdNA3EgmJ0%3D&reserved=0)
OAH 2024-2025 Report (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foah.wa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2024-12%2FOAH%2520Overview_0.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cwannise.burch%40oah.wa.gov%7Cc7e28b581da34b2d6ae008df1f25ebd7%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C639263919865251774%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJF
bXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bX9ACRPvkp3x%2Fv7gsNIkhMF1RShYthtkeUdNA3EgmJ0%3D&reserved=0)
Application Review and Interview Process
Applications will be reviewed weekly, and qualified candidates may be invited to interview based on their preferred caseload and the agency's recruitment needs.
Applicants who submit complete applications by October 31, 2026, will be considered for the initial round of interviews scheduled for November.
Applications received after October 31, 2026, will continue to be reviewed and may be considered for a subsequent round of interviews anticipated in December.
Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted directly with additional information regarding interview scheduling. You are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible.
These positions will preside over hearings for one or more of the following caseloads:
Application Review and Interview Process
Applications will be reviewed weekly, and qualified candidates may be invited to interview based on their preferred caseload and the agency's recruitment needs.
Applicants who submit complete applications by October 31, 2026, will be considered for the initial round of interviews scheduled for November.
Applications received after October 31, 2026, will continue to be reviewed and may be considered for a subsequent round of interviews anticipated in December.
Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted directly with additional information regarding interview scheduling. You are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible.
These positions will preside over hearings for one or more of the following caseloads:
Social and Health Services Division
- Division of Child Support (DCS) - DCS is a program within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). An ALJ holds a hearing to establish child support or modify an existing administrative child support order. These are typically telephonic hearings with minimal travel required. A Claims Officer/Attorney represents DCS. The non-custodial or custodial parent files a request for hearing that DCS forwards to OAH. OAH issues an initial order in Adress Disclosure cases, and a final order in all other DCS matters. All orders are due within 21 days of the close of record.
- Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) - DCYF is a cabinet-level agency focused on the well-being of children and supporting families. ALJs hold hearings on licensing and issues affecting children (i.e. foster care, daycare, childcare assistance, child protective services, etc). The ALJ will issue an initial order except in vendor overpayments and juvenile cases where the order is final. DCYF is represented by an Assistant Attorney General and appellants are often represented by counsel. Typically, orders are due within 60 days from the close of record; however, adoption support orders and vendor overpayment orders are due 16 days from the close of record; background check and childcare assistance orders are due within 55 days from the close of record; and in a juvenile parole revocation cases, the ALJ must rule orally on the record and issue a written decision within 48 hours. These hearings are typically held by phone or video but parties may request an in-person hearing so some travel is required.
- Health Care Authority (HCA) - HCA is a state agency with overall responsibility for providing medical coverage and services. HCA or its designee determines eligibility for health care coverage, eligibility for medical services, long-term care, and in-home care services, which are funded, in part, through Medicaid. An ALJ holds hearings to determine an appellant's eligibility for health care coverage, medical services, financial and functional eligibility for long-term care, in-home care services, participation rates for long-term care, and the amount of in-home care hours. HCA is represented by an HCA Legal Services Advisor or an administrative hearing specialist through the Department of Social and Health Services or other contracting agency, while appellants are self-represented or represented by a family member most often. Hearings may be telephonic, by video conference call, or in-person and are typically 60 minutes to three hours long. Some travel may be involved. HCA orders are initial decisions and are expected to be issued within 21, 30, or 60 days of the close of record or OAH's receipt of the request for hearing, depending on the program.
- Licensing (LIC) - Licensing is a program within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). ALJs hold a prehearing conference and hearing regarding vulnerable individuals in adult family homes and/or residential homes with issues relating to abuse and neglect by the individual provider or the facility. The alleged individual and/or facility files the request for appeal with OAH. The Department is represented by a Legal Benefits Attorney/Adviser and Appellants are often represented by counsel. In most programs, an initial order is issued within 60 days of the close of record; however, resident and client protection program initial orders are due within 120 days of the request for hearing. A final order is issued in an assisted living facility license case within 60 days of the close of record. These hearings are typically telephonic or by video, but parties may request an in-person hearing so some travel is required.
- Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) - The MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) caseload is a subset of the HCA caseload and consists of appeals from denials of Washington Apple Health benefits. These denials are primarily due to the appellant exceeding the maximum income level for eligibility. Appeals regarding Apple Health Expansion and Reentry programs are also heard on the MAGI caseload. HCA is represented by an Administrative Hearing Specialist. The ALJ first holds a prehearing conference to set a case schedule, including an evidentiary hearing date. Evidentiary hearings take place via Teams, and are generally one to two hours in duration, depending on complexity. The ALJ then issues an initial order within 60 days of OAH's receipt of the hearing request.
- Public Assistance (PA) - The PA caseload is administered by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Nearly one out
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