Legal and Strategic Advisor (WMS2/DLS)

Full Job Description

Legal and Strategic Advisor (WMS2/DLS)

71111213

This recruitment is posted continuously. Application review will begin on 1/29/26 and you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.

The Legal and Strategic Advisor is an ideal position for attorneys who want to support meaningful public programs and manage real-world risk.

This role will primarily support the WA Cares program, along with advising the Health Care Authority (HCA) on complex contracts and procurements by negotiating agreements, drafting new templates for emerging areas of agency need, assessing legal and business risk associated with agency IT and data projects, and supporting the Office of Tribal Affairs.

This role will also require close coordination with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure contracting and procurement compliance with applicable State and Federal laws.

Working closely with agency stakeholders, Tribes, and vendors, you’ll exercise sound independent judgement to protect the public interest.

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) provides the people, processes, and expertise to reduce risk while meeting the agency’s strategic goals.

Within DLS, the Office of Contracts and Procurement (OCP) is managed by the agency’s Contracts Administrator.

This position reports to the Contracts Administrator and is the principal legal and strategic advisor assigned to manage the legal tasks, risks, and services related to information technology for the long-term cares and support trust program known as “WA Cares”, and other complex contracts and procurements as needed.

About the position:

The objective of this position is to minimize the risk and maximize the outcomes for the state and the agency in its relations with the various contractors, providers, staff and stakeholders involved in acquiring and implementing technology assets to be utilized by the agency to conduct its business.

The Legal and Strategic Advisor position will advise on a variety of critical risk areas for HCA, primarily focusing on:

• WA Cares Program: supports the contracting and procurement needs of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (known as WA Cares) established in chapter 50B.04 RCW. WA Cares is a state-run program that provides long-term care insurance to most Washington workers.

• Tribal Affairs: HCA has a unique government-to-government relationship with 29 sovereign Tribal Nations. Position must advise on Federal and state legislative mandates associated with Tribal healthcare, alongside an evolving data-sharing ecosystem.

IT Contracts and Data: position provides the planning, expert consultation, and advice to assure the effective negotiation, establishment, and ongoing contract administration in support of major IT procurements and agreements associated with data projects (e.g.

Data Share Agreements, Data Use Agreements, etc.) as needed.




This position requires consistent use of independent expert judgment and decision making in the provision of services and counsel to executives and management.




This position is eligible to telework and is typically not required to report on-site except for training and official business need.

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. This position reports to Olympia, WA.

Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA has currently suspended the ability to support out-of-state telework.





Requirements




Some of what you will do:

• The Legal and Strategic Advisor position provides the planning, legal consultation, and advice to assure the effective negotiation, establishment, and ongoing contract administration in support of critical agency risk areas, including: WA Cares Program, Tribal Affairs, and IT Contracts and Data.

This position negotiates agreements; manages legal services provided by others, e.g.

various Assistant Attorneys General (AAG); and advises agency staff on legal issues that arise in the areas of: intellectual property; software licensing; and data ownership; hardware and software procurement; Tribal Affairs; health care law (including WA Cares) and Medicaid rules and regulations.

• Independently initiates, manages, and completes complex HCA contracts and procurements by coordinating with agency teams, primarily WA Cares, along with Tribal Affairs, and IT and Data.

Drafts new templates for emerging areas of Agency need under time pressure, especially for IT and Data contracts.

Independently drafts and/or provides technical advice for the Scope of Work and other procurement documents primarily for WA Cares program staff, along with agency IT Contracts and Data, and Tribal Affairs program staff, using best practices and in compliance with state and agency policies.

• Negotiates complex purchasing, licensing, data share, and related agreements verbally and in writing by interacting with vendors, internal staff, and other state agency staff.
• Timely communication with stakeholders and internal program staff in accordance with RCW 39.26, 43.105, 43.19, 74.09, 42.52 and other pertinent statutes. It also manages and facilitates protest debriefings with non-successful bidders.
• Develops the work plan(s) for competitive contract solicitations related primarily WA Care, along with critical agency IT and data projects, and Tribal Affairs projects.
• Researches laws, rules, policies and procedures related to the development and execution primarily for WA Cares, in addition to Tribal Affairs, IT Contracts and Data, or other agency procurements as needed, including the interpretation of published federal or state rules or requirements in order to accurately advise agency staff in coordination with its assigned Assistant Attorney General.
• Timely and accurately enters data according to established office procedures.
• Timely and accurately creates reports for management and other HCA staff using Microsoft office applications. Such reports may require analysis of data to enable decision making on contract issues or process/procedural issues.
• Communicate primarily with WA cares staff as-needed, along with Tribal Affairs, and IT Contracts and Data, to ensure documentation is accurate and submitted prior to deadlines.
• Independently reviews and/or approves contract or work order requests and determines applicable regulations.
• Researches and stays current on the laws, rules and regulations regarding WA Cares, Tribal Affairs, data-sharing and information technology contracts and procurements.
• Researches and stays current on contracting laws, rules, regulations, best-practices and trends.
• Leads and participates in assigned meetings, workgroups, etc.
• This position may be assigned to perform bill analysis for HCA during legislative session for contracting or procurement impacts related primarily to WA Cares legislation, along with Tribal Affairs, and IT Contracts and Data legislation.



Qualifications




Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will meet the required education and experience below:




Education and experience:

Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association accredited law school, and at least two years as a licensed attorney. Must be in good standing and licensed with the Washington State Bar Association.


Required competencies:

• Advanced writing and verbal communication skills demonstrated to diverse audiences, including executives.
• Experience providing advice concerning intellectual property, computer or Internet law, or providing advice to data governance or related teams (e.g., concerning HIPAA, MHMDA, WaTech policies and procedures, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of contracts law, contracts negotiations, and experience drafting business and contractual documents, ranging from standard contracts and amendments to complex, high-dollar-value transactions.
• Experience with strategic and tactical planning for: implementing acquisitions; administering, monitoring and managing contracts for products and services; and resolving business and contractual disputes.
• Adept at gathering information necessary to understand business needs and goals well enough to identify alternatives, and succinctly and competently counsel executives and mid-level managers regarding those alternatives and recommend a course of action that will accomplish the administration’s business goals within the framework of current laws and policies.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.




Preferred qualifications:

• Experience as lead-negotiator of large-scale transactions, complex contract negotiations, and dispute resolution processes.
• Experience managing government procurements or contracts related to Information Technology or Data in Washington State or other States.
• Knowledge of state and federal government structure and funding mechanisms.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to intellectual property, IT, cloud computing, software licensing, rights in data, data governance, data sharing, and data privacy.
• Cultural competency working in Tribal Affairs.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people and work collaboratively with others.
• Ability to problem-solve, prioritize high-volume workloads, meet deadlines under exceptional time pressure, and provide independent strategic direction/decision making.
• Handles customer service questions and complaints in a professional manner.
• Gives the appropriate attention to detail and accuracy, has a commitment to excellence, strives for continuous quality improvement.
• Ability to think and act strategically to mitigate risk and set both short- and long-term goals to support the needs of diverse agency team needs.




How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the required 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.




Additional Information




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.
• 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 Lisa Fleming at (360) 725-1723 or lisa.fleming@hca.wa.gov.




The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.







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