Executive Director

Full Job Description

AGENCY PROFILE:

The Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct (Commission), like similar agencies in each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia, works to protect the integrity of the judicial process, safeguard judicial independence, and promote public confidence in the courts by investigating and resolving ethics complaints against state-level judges.

The Commission also investigates allegations of judicial disability.

The Commission is a small, constitutionally-created, independent agency in the judicial branch of state government. The Commission consists of eleven members and eleven alternate members.

(There are three membership categories: three judges, two lawyers and six citizen members). The Commission is supported by eleven staff. The work is highly confidential.

(For more information about the Commission see www.cjc.state.wa.us.)

The Commission values equity and inclusion and encourages all qualified applicants to apply. We are seeking an individual with high standards of personal and professional integrity to lead our small staff as Executive Director.

Requirements

ABOUT THE POSITION:
All agency staff report to the Executive Director. The attorney investigators report directly to the Commission on case-related matters. The Executive Director is responsible for overall agency operations and may make changes to improve operations. The Executive Director provides advice to the Commission’s subcommittees and serves as advisory counsel to the entire Commission. As a core member of the Commission staff, Executive Director provides strategic leadership, policy direction, and cross-sector coordination, guiding a diverse Commission membership and staff while fostering a culture of inclusion, innovation, and continuous improvement.

This role requires strong, highly collaborative, and respectful leadership skills, strategic planning, effective communication, and the ability to build and sustain strong partnerships to support the agency's mission and vision.

This includes effective communication and the provision of informal judicial ethics advice as well as formal training to all levels of court, court staff, complainants and other stakeholders.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

The Executive Director serves as liaison with, and handling inquiries from the public, the judiciary, attorneys, the media, and legislative and executive branches of government.

The Executive Director takes the lead on lobbying the legislature as needed for Commission funding, oversees the development and administration of the agency’s biennial budget, and engages in long-term financial planning.

The Executive Director acts as liaison with appointing authorities for Commission members and assisting in recruitment of new members.

The Executive Director supervises all case processing activities and workflow, including selective case investigation and reporting, and prepares and presents legal case work or opinions.

The Executive Director is responsible for making desired changes to Commission policies, statutes, or rules sought and adopted by the Commission, and stays apprised of judicial ethics enforcement developments at the national level for relevant application at the local level.

The Executive Director may perform such other duties as prescribed by the Commission.

Qualifications

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

The Commission’s next Executive Director will be a leader with the ability to manage a heavy workload in a dynamic environment.

You will have the ability to advise and collaborate with a diverse Commission membership and respect individual styles and opinions.

You will be able to manage a professional and capable staff with evolving job duties and workload. You will set clear overall direction for the agency but allow for innovation and process improvements.

You will foster a culture of trust and accountability. You will demonstrate a flexible and staff-oriented style of management. You will have a demonstrated commitment to public service.

If your work experience, education and leadership proficiencies align with the Commission’s expectations, we encourage you to apply.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Admission to the practice of law in any state; and

Knowledge and experience about the judicial system; knowledge about judicial codes of professional conduct; effective written and verbal communication skills; high standards of personal and professional integrity; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to receive and manage constructive feedback from the Commission and staff and to make appropriate changes where needed; ability to work with news media and governmental processes.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

At least five years administrative experience; with experience overseeing staff, budgets, and operations in an agency of similar size;

Admission to the practice of law in Washington state; and

A Bachelor or Masters Degree in Public Administration, or equivalent.

Executive level experience directing a government agency.

Trial attorney experience.

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY:

Provide a brief letter of interest, no more than two pages detailing why you are interested in this position, a short resume detailing your relevant qualifications including the required qualifications, and three professional references with current contact information attached.

The anticipated start date of the position is October 16, 2026.

To facilitate a smooth transition, the Executive Director position will be dually filled temporarily so the successful candidate can cross train with the current outgoing long time Executive Director who will retire effective January 1, 2027.

Email:

recruitment.ExecutiveDirector@cjc.state.wa.us

Mail:

Commission on Judicial Conduct

Attn: Tanya Calahan

PO Box 1817

Olympia, WA 98507

Email is the preferred method of communication and application submission.

Please note that only those candidates with the most relevant qualifications can be interviewed.

Starting salary depends on qualifications.

The final candidate for the Executive Director position must consent to a full background check, including criminal history and must sign a confidentiality agreement.

As a condition of employment, the person hired for the position must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility before beginning work.

BENEFITS

The successful candidate will receive a generous employment benefits package.

This competitive benefits package offered by the State of Washington includes but is not limited to paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, paid time off for all state and most federal holidays, medical insurance, life insurance, and a stable retirement plan.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Commission on Judicial Conduct is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age (40+), disability (actual or perceived), honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons with a disability requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may call (360) 753-4585, or email recruitment.ExecutiveDirector@cjc.state.wa.us. TTY users can call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service or 1-800-833-6384.