Head of state Employment Security Department gets job with Biden administration

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The head of Washington state’s unemployment office is leaving for a job with the Biden-Harris administration.

In a statement, Governor Jay Inslee praised Employment Security Department Commissioner Suzi LeVine for her leading the department “through an extremely challenging time,” and drew attention the “successful implementation” of the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program during her tenure.

LeVine was appointed to head the ESD in 2018 by Gov. Inslee, and confirmed by the state Senate in the following legislative session. Her tenure was marked by unprecedented unemployment because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to massive fraud and delays in getting payments to Washington residents over the course of the last year.

It’s unclear at this time what job LeVine is taking with the new administration, but she has served as an ambassador for the U.S. government in the past. She will be leaving at the end of January, with her new position effective Feb. 1, 2021.

Cami Feek, currently the agency’s deputy commissioner and chief operating officer, will step in as acting commissioner for the ESD until a permanent replacement is appointed by the governor.

This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.

The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group