The Growth Management Hearings Board is seeking applications to fill an upcoming board member vacancy. This is a full-time remote position that will become vacant on June 30, 2026. This position must be filled by an attorney licensed to practice law in Washington state and residing in western Washington but not in King, Pierce, Snohomish, or Kitsap counties. Board members are appointed by the Governor and serve 6-year terms at the pleasure of the Governor.

This is a unique opportunity to serve on one of Washington’s most impactful boards. As Washington’s population continues to grow, the Growth Management Hearings Board makes decisions about how important elements such as housing, transportation, and the environment are managed by Washington’s cities and counties in their comprehensive plans and regulations.

The Growth Management Hearings Board Offers:

•        A diverse portfolio of interesting legal issues;
•        Opportunity to gain experience in an impartial, non-advocacy role;
•        No billable hours;
•        Cases with legal issues of first impression;
•        Some flexibility in setting case schedules;
•        Camaraderie in a supportive team atmosphere;
•        Training and development opportunities;
•        Comprehensive compensation packages, including benefits and paid leave;
•        The fulfillment of public service; and
•        A healthy work/life balance.

About the Board

The mission of the Growth Management Hearings Board is to resolve challenges to local government actions adopting or amending comprehensive land use plans and development regulations based on the Growth Management Act (GMA), the adoption or amendment of shorelines master plans, and certain portions of the State Environmental Policy Act. The board was established by statute to hear such appeals as an administrative adjudicative body, providing an efficient method of resolving disputes.

The board was created in 1990 as part of the GMA, Chapter 36.70A RCW. The GMA was enacted to guide growth and development in Washington state. Under the GMA, participating local governments must adopt comprehensive plans and development regulations that are guided by goals that include focusing urban growth in urban areas, reducing sprawl, providing efficient transportation, encouraging affordable housing, protecting property rights and the environment, ensuring adequate public facilities and services, preserving historic resources, and climate change and resiliency. Review of local compliance with the GMA is through appeal to the board.

The board is comprised of five members who reside in three regions around the state as required by the GMA. Board members must have experience or training in matters pertaining to land use law or land use planning, and experience in the practical application of those matters. At least three members must be attorneys licensed to practice in Washington state, with at least one attorney in each region.

At least two members must be former city or county elected officials, with one residing in eastern Washington and one residing in western Washington. No more than three members can be of the same major political party. Board members serve six-year terms at the pleasure of the Governor. (RCW 36.70A.250)

Unless waived by the board Chair, each petition for review filed with the board must be heard by a three-member regional panel. The board regions are central Puget Sound, eastern Washington, and western Washington:

•        Central Puget Sound Region: cities and counties located within King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties.
•        Eastern Washington Region: planning cities and counties located east of the crest of the Cascade mountains.
•        Western Washington Region: planning cities and counties located west of the crest of the Cascade mountains and not included in the Central Puget Sound region.

Unless waived by the board Chair, each panel must include one attorney, one former local elected official, and reflect the political composition of the board. (RCW 36.70A.260)

The Environmental and Land Use Hearings Office (ELUHO) is the administrative agency that supports the Pollution Control Hearings Board, the Shorelines Hearings Board, and the Growth Management Hearings Board. The board is supported by a small legal support team. ELUHO’s headquarters is located in Olympia. ELUHO values diversity and provides a workplace inclusive of different cultures, backgrounds, and ideas. We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees and their families. We support healthy lifestyles and a healthy work/life balance, and we aim to provide employees with professional development opportunities.

What you will do as a Growth Management Hearings Board member:

Board members are assigned cases by the Chair, including cases in which they are the presiding officer. Day-to-day work includes legal research, legal analysis, legal writing, presiding over pre- hearing conferences and hearings, determining pre-hearing procedural matters, conferring with board members, coordinating with staff, and producing complete and legally sound orders with consideration of the facts and law.

The board provides appellate review of local actions by reviewing the local record provided by the parties. The board panel issues decisions setting forth legal analyses of claims and if a case goes to hearing, the panel issues a final decision and order that informs all parties of the reasons for the decision. Board decisions must be decided by a quorum of the three-member panel. Final orders have the force of law and parties can appeal board decisions to the courts.

Board members must display a judicial temperament by remaining impartial, considering competing arguments, and rendering informed and unbiased decisions. They must maintain confidentiality and conduct themselves with a strong commitment to ethics and integrity. Board members may serve as mediators to help resolve cases before hearing.