Description

Attorney Opportunity Regulating Our State’s Financial Service Providers and Protecting Consumers

Are you an attorney interested in financial services, banking law, and consumer protection? Are you interested in examining credit unions for compliance with laws and regulations? Are you interested in learning about the complex and dynamic world of financial services innovation and emerging fintech industries? Are you passionate about public service or interested in obtaining public loan forgiveness? Would you like to work independently and in collaboration with other examiners, attorneys, and federal credit union regulators? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we encourage you to apply for this position! We’re looking to hire an experienced attorney to join our collaborative team. 

The Division of Credit Unions (DCU) is recruiting for a Financial Legal Examiner (FLE) to lead our consumer compliance supervision efforts in our regulated entities. This position may be filled at the 3 or 4 level, depending on applicant qualifications and experience.

FLE 3 Salary Range - $7,443-$10,004 per month

FLE 4 Salary Range - $8,210-$11,045 per month

Duties

Financial Legal Examiners (FLE) typically work with or lead an exam team of two to five people, in a fast-paced, deadline oriented environment. Financial Legal Examiners perform analysis of Washington State-chartered credit unions that are located throughout the state, for compliance with state and federal regulations. 
 
 As a Financial Legal Examiner, you would be a vital participant in ensuring the continuity of financial services offered state-wide and find engaging challenges in all facets of credit union operations. This includes unencumbered access to the credit union to ensure current practices are safe and sound, and in compliance with consumer protection laws. Financial Legal Examiners are provided training through the National Credit Union Administration, Federal Financial Institution Examination Council, National Association of State Chartered Credit Unions and various online training tools.
  
Some of what you will do:
 

• Perform onsite and/or virtual legal analysis of Washington State chartered credit unions for compliance with state and federal laws.
• Serve as Examiner in Charge (EIC) of stand-alone consumer compliance examinations to determine if state-chartered credit unions are compliant with consumer protection laws. 
• Establish the scope of individual examinations, plan and direct the efforts of the examination team, and complete the examination report. 
• Review and discuss with management critical findings that are identified during the exam process in such a manner to fully understand the circumstances surrounding each finding and encourage corrective action.  
• Organize and conduct meetings with the institution’s executive management, Supervisory Committee, and/or Board of Directors, detailing the final findings and conclusions regarding complex legal consumer protection information.  
• Provide both formal and informal guidance in the areas of state and federal laws and regulations to fellow examiners. 
• Assist division staff with consumer compliance related complaints about state-chartered credit unions. Contact credit unions to determine course of action or recommend further research to resolve customer complaints. Write complaint closure letters to consumers when needed.
• Represent the Division in public forums, on committees and at training sessions. Give presentations as part of the Division’s education and outreach and continuing legal education (CLE) efforts.        
• Travel approximately 25% of worktime to state credit unions, and occasional conferences and training.
• Utilize various IT hardware and software, including Microsoft Office, internet resources, NCUA examination software and other software as necessary. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited law school. Active membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).
 
Desired Qualifications:
 A bachelor’s in finance, accounting, business administration, economics or related field.
 And
 Two years of professional experience in one of, or a combination of, the following:

• Consumer finance law or consumer protection law 
• Deputy or prosecuting attorney
• Assistant attorney general or other governmental attorney or attorney in private practice 
• Corporate law, bankruptcy law, business law, etc.
• Accounting or auditing
• Analyzing or examining regulated entities
• Working in a regulated entity in the areas of lending, operations, analysis of loan or securities portfolios, auditing, reinsurance investments, information system reviews or any combination of these.

Desired Skills and Abilities: 
 Effective team player who is highly communicative and cooperative, an active listener, a problem solver and innovative researcher with analytical thinking skills.

• A strong work ethic, professionalism, respectfulness and dependability to the team.
• Collaborator who can work with teammates and regulated institution’s management and employees. 
• Positive learning attitude and understanding of workplace etiquette.
• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Strong conflict management and conflict resolution skills.    

Supplemental Information

About our Agency:
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions’ (DFI) mission is to protect consumers and advance the financial health of Washington State by providing fair regulation of financial services and educating consumers to make informed financial decisions. Collectively and independently, the Department’s over 200 employees within its 5 divisions – Administration, Banks, Consumer Services, Credit Unions and Securities – work together to create a stronger economic future and secure financial environment for Washington’s consumers and businesses alike. To learn more about the Department of Financial Institutions, please visit our website at www.dfi.wa.gov.
 
 We employ and serve diverse people of all backgrounds including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. This culture of respect promotes a professional and inclusive environment where maximizing potential through opportunity is achievable by everyone.  

Benefits of working for DFI include:
 

• Medical, dental, retirement, and generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Healthy work-life balance, wellness benefits, and the ability to often work remotely (see Travel Requirements and Official Work Station section below).
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion where every person is recognized and valued.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities, including DFI’s in-house CLE program and other training that ensures employees are successful. 
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 per calendar year toward pursuit of advanced degrees or certifications.
• You may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

About the Division:
 The Division of Credit Unions (DCU) examines and supervises 48 state-chartered credit unions for safety and soundness and compliance with applicable credit union laws in order to protect members’ financial interests. Although these credit unions are our customers, the citizens are the ultimate beneficiaries of DCU’s work. DCU is comprised of approximately 25 staff members who work together with a team approach to examine and analyze state-chartered credit unions.

The Division of Credit Unions is recruiting for a Financial Legal Examiner, which may be filled at the 3 or 4 level, depending on qualifications. 

Duty Station and Travel Requirements:
 The examiner’s time is spent in the field (approximately 25%) or remotely conducting examinations at various financial institutions throughout the state. During your first year, you can expect additional travel (up to 50%) as you will be attending various training courses out of state. This position requires some overnight travel. When not in the field conducting examinations, work assignments will be completed at your home residence – which will be your official duty station. Occasional travel to DFI Headquarters in Tumwater for training and/or meetings is required. Applicants must reside in Washington State.
 
Typical Work Schedule:
 The work schedule for this position is Monday – Thursday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm with alternating Fridays off. On the working Friday, work hours will be 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. Examiners will have an hour for lunch each day, except for on the working Friday when lunch is half an hour.
  
Application Process:
 Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Submitting your application materials electronically will act as confirmation that the information submitted is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Failure to provide all required application materials and complete supplemental questionnaire may result in disqualification.
 Interested applicants should select the “Apply” button and attach the following materials to their application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three professional references* (provide contact name, phone number, email address, company name, and job title)
• Unofficial College Transcript(s)
• Unofficial Law School Transcripts

 *A professional reference is someone who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have sufficient professional references, please include non-professional references, such as educators or other professional associates.
  
Background Investigation:
 Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal and credit record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
  
Recruiter Contact Information:
Guadalupe Canales
recruiting@dfi.wa.gov