Job Details

Deputy Insurance Commissioner, Legal Affairs

Open Date:

2013-03-20


Close Date:

2013-04-30


Organization:

Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Washington state


Location:

Tumwater, WA


Skills And Qualifications:

The Office of the State Insurance Commissioner (OIC) is recruiting to fill an Exempt Deputy Insurance Commissioner position for the Legal Affairs Division. This rewarding position manages a wide variety of situations and influences the course of insurance affairs, both at the state level and nationally, through contacts with the regulatory community and through colleagues in the agency.
 
The Deputy for the Legal Affairs Division is an executive leader who manages a division of 20 employees and serves as general counsel for the Insurance Commissioner. The Deputy is responsible for forming the agency’s legal positions related to enforcing compliance with the state Insurance Code and related federal laws including matters related to insurers, insurance producers and other licensees, and unauthorized insurance transactions. The division includes staff attorneys and investigators who support the agency’s consumer protection mission by providing quality, timely, and cost-effective legal and investigative services. The Deputy works closely with the agency’s assigned Assistant Attorney Generals on agency matters and is the primary liaison. The Deputy is responsible for the agency enforcement program and chairs the Compliance Committee that determines penalties for violations.
 
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) is one of the smaller state agencies in Washington State government. We operate under the direction of the state's Insurance Commissioner, a state-wide elected official. The OIC has a workforce of approximately 210 employees who perform the agency's mission of consumer protection and regulation of the state's insurance industry. The OIC values its employees and diversity in the workplace. We challenge our employees to continuously improve the way we do business, and to meet and exceed the needs of our customers. To learn more about this agency, we invite you to visit our website at www.insurance.wa.gov.


Required Education:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A Bachelor's Degree in an applicable field;
  • A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; and,
  • Must be a Washington State Bar Association Member or able to pass the Washington State Bar examination at the next opportunity after hire, or otherwise qualify for and be admitted to membership in the Washington State Bar Association.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

  • Five years demonstrated leadership in a management position that includes the supervision of other managers, attorneys, or both. Experience in the following areas: Sharing an organizational vision; providing vision and leadership in the public sector; strategic planning; formulating and implementing policies; developing and administering budgets; legislative relations; effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to use multiple presentation styles for diverse audiences; change management (e.g., regulatory environment, laws, rules, working conditions, reorganizations, technology, etc.); and fostering productive service delivery;
  • Minimum of three years demonstrated leadership overseeing government regulatory or criminal investigations and a thorough understanding of the methods, principles, standards, and laws governing such investigations;
  • A minimum of five years experience in insurance law including insurance litigation, insurance regulation, administrative law, and health law;
  • Significant experience managing attorneys and investigators in a state department of insurance;
  • Familiarity with all lines of insurance, insurance company operations, insurance sales practices, insurance producer practices, insurance law and the regulatory responsibilities of the OIC; and,
  • Experience in alternative dispute resolution including mediation.


Duties And Responsibilities:

Plan, lead, and manage the division’s work through appropriate delegation to achieve planned results in support of the OIC’s mission and the Insurance Commissioner’s goals and objectives as defined in the strategic plan.

Provide legal counsel to the Insurance Commissioner, Chief Deputy and other deputies

Act as the chief enforcement officer for the state relating to insurance laws the OIC is charged to enforce.

Ensure the prompt delivery of legal and investigative services consistent with the requirements of OIC executive management, ensuring that all services and work products meet appropriate quality standards and applicable ethical requirements.

Develop strategic direction for the division.

Provide a safe and fair work environment for the division employees, which consist of approximately 20 employees (including attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and administrative staff.)

In coordination with other divisions impacted, formulate and analyze proposed legislation related to the OIC's regulatory scope and division's functions. Provide testimony before legislative and other public policy groups on measures involving agency and division funds, policies, and practices.

Represent the OIC with external stakeholders / licensees and the executive and legislative branch of state government. Coordinate activities of the division with other state and national entities, the NAIC, the public and the Office of the Attorney General.

Monitor and report to the Chief Deputy and the Insurance Commissioner regarding the performance of the division in achieving its mission.

Assure appropriate and optimum use of the division’s resources and effectively plan ahead to obtain resources through the agency’s budget development process.

Enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely evaluation and professional development opportunities. Support the OIC’s goals for a diverse workforce.


Salary And Benefits:

Depends on qualifications.


Additional Info:

HOW TO APPLY:

You are invited to apply for this position by submitting the following information online through WA State Careers (www.careers.wa.gov). You must include the following information in your online application and complete the supplemental questionnaire.

  • An online application profile that includes education and an employment history;
  • A current resume;
  • A detailed letter of interest describing your skills and experience as they relate to the qualifications, desirables, and expected competencies as outlined in this job announcement; and
  • A list of at least three professional references, including contact information.


Contact Info:

Gina Wilson-King


Contact Email:

recruitment@oic.wa.gov


Organization Web Site:

http://insurance.wa.gov

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